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Social Security disability lawyers help individuals apply for and appeal Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits when a disability prevents them from working. The SSA approves only about 36% of initial claims, so most applicants who are ultimately approved go through at least one round of appeals. A disability attorney reviews your medical records, identifies the strongest legal basis for your claim, handles all communication with the SSA, and represents you at hearings before an Administrative Law Judge if your claim is denied. Levin Papantonio’s Social Security Disability Lawyers handle both initial applications and appeals nationwide on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless benefits are awarded.
As of 2026, the Social Security Administration approves only about 36% of initial SSDI claims, based on the SSA’s most recent Annual Statistical Report. The SSA continues to process a high volume of pending claims (approximately 940,000 as of mid-2025), which contributes to extended processing timelines. Initial application decisions have averaged roughly seven to eight months in recent reporting, and appeals before an Administrative Law Judge can take a year or longer. Attorney fees for successful SSDI representation are regulated by the SSA and capped at 25% of past-due benefits, not to exceed $9,200 as of November 30, 2024. Levin Papantonio is actively taking new SSDI and SSI cases nationwide and provides free case evaluations.
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You may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) if you have a medical condition that prevents you from engaging in substantial gainful activity and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. To be eligible, you must also have accumulated sufficient work credits, generally 20 credits earned in the past 10 years if you are over 31, with reduced requirements for younger workers. Both physical conditions and mental health conditions can qualify, including back injuries, heart disease, neurological disorders, cancer, depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia. The SSA evaluates conditions either against its published Listing of Impairments (the Blue Book) or through a case-by-case assessment of your ability to work.
Claimants can apply online, by telephone, or at a local Social Security Office in their community. You will be required to provide:
In addition, you will need to have complete medical records, including medications, dates and locations of treatments, name and contact information for attending physicians, and lab test results.
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The Social Security Administration offers a manual listing specific medical issues that are covered. A number of these conditions automatically qualify an applicant. Other conditions are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
The list of qualifying injuries and disorders include:
back injuries and limb disorders;
In addition, certain mental illnesses are listed, including depression, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, Asperger’s Syndrome, and autism.
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According to the Social Security Administration, an initial application can take 3-4 months to process. However, due to heavy caseloads, it can take as long as eight months for an application to be approved or denied. An appeal can take up to a year, depending on the length of time required to obtain medical evidence from attending physicians.
An exception is made for military personnel who are disabled as the result of a service-related injury or other condition. The Social Security Administration offers an “expedited” application process for disabled veterans.
If your SSDI claim is denied, you have 60 days from the date of the denial notice to file an appeal. Missing this window means starting the entire application over. The SSA approves only about 36% of initial claims, so most applicants face at least one denial. The appeals process moves through several stages: reconsideration by the SSA, a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), review by the Appeals Council, and finally, federal court. Approval rates improve significantly at the ALJ hearing stage, where the allowance rate has ranged from roughly 50% to 58% in recent years. The most common reason for initial denial is insufficient medical evidence, which an experienced disability attorney can help address before an appeal is filed.
In many cases, the information in a case file can be very technical and difficult for most people to fully understand. It is not uncommon for a case file to contain inaccurate information as well as errors on the part of the claims examiner or the medical consultant. In some cases, important information may be missing altogether.
Our social security lawyers are trained to note the smallest details of complex files, and to understand the often complicated legal issues of Social Security law. Our lawyers also understand how to effectively communicate with case examiners and others involved in the appeals process. In some cases, it may require going before a judge in a U.S. District Court in order to successfully appeal a decision. A lawyer also can advise you as to whether or not you are even eligible for SSDI.
Hiring a Social Security disability attorney at Levin Papantonio costs nothing unless benefits are awarded. Disability lawyers work exclusively on a contingency fee basis: if your claim is successful, the attorney’s fee is 25% of your past-due back pay, up to a federally regulated maximum set by the Social Security Administration. The SSA increased this cap to $9,200 effective November 30, 2024. [VERIFY: Confirm Levin Papantonio charges up to the current SSA cap of $9,200, or confirm the specific figure your firm uses.] If your case is not approved, you pay no attorney’s fees. A free case evaluation is available by calling (800) 277-1193 or submitting the form on this page.
To contact us for a free confidential consult, you can call us at (850) 435-7000 (Pensacola) or (800) 277-1193 (toll free). You also can request a free private and confidential evaluation by clicking Free & Confidential Consult, and your inquiry will be immediately reviewed by one of our attorneys who handles your specific type case.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal insurance program funded through FICA payroll tax deductions that provides monthly benefits to workers who become disabled and can no longer engage in substantial gainful employment. SSDI is not an entitlement program. It is an earned benefit tied to your work history and the Social Security credits you’ve accumulated over your career. To qualify, your disabling condition must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. SSDI is also known as Disability Insurance Benefits and Title II Benefits.
Anyone who has a disabling physical or mental health condition that prevents them from engaging in substantial gainful activity may qualify for SSDI. The condition must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death, the claimant must be younger than full retirement age (currently 66 to 67), and must have sufficient Social Security work credits, generally 20 credits earned in the past 10 years for claimants over 31. Qualifying conditions include back injuries, heart disease, respiratory diseases, neurological disorders, cancer, autoimmune diseases, and certain mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia. A disability attorney can evaluate your specific medical and work history to determine eligibility.
Hiring a disability attorney is generally worth it, particularly if your initial claim has been denied or your medical situation is complex. The SSA denies the majority of initial claims, and the appeals process, especially the Administrative Law Judge hearing stage, is where legal representation makes the most measurable difference. Disability attorneys work on a contingency basis, so there is no upfront cost and no fee if your claim is unsuccessful. An attorney reviews your medical records, identifies gaps in documentation that caused or could cause a denial, and represents you at hearings. Levin Papantonio provides free case evaluations to help you determine whether representation makes sense for your situation.
The SSA’s Listing of Impairments, commonly called the Blue Book, identifies conditions that automatically qualify for SSDI when documentation meets the criteria. These include musculoskeletal disorders, cardiovascular conditions, respiratory diseases such as COPD and asthma, neurological disorders including multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and Parkinson’s disease, certain cancers, autoimmune conditions including lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, and mental health conditions including depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and autism spectrum disorders. Conditions not on the list can still qualify through a residual functional capacity assessment, which evaluates whether your specific limitations prevent you from performing any available work.
According to the Social Security Administration, an initial SSDI application typically takes 3 to 4 months to process, though backlogs can extend the processing time to 8 months or longer. If your claim is denied and you appeal to an Administrative Law Judge, the wait for a hearing can add another year or more to the timeline. As of mid-2025, approximately 940,000 claims were pending at the initial determination stage, reflecting ongoing staffing and caseload challenges at the SSA. Starting the process as early as possible and submitting complete, well-documented medical records at the initial application stage are the most effective ways to reduce delays.
Social Security disability lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless your claim is approved. If successful, the attorney’s fee is 25% of your past-due back pay, up to a maximum set by the SSA. Effective November 30, 2024, the SSA increased this cap to $9,200. No fee is charged on your ongoing monthly benefit payments. The fee applies only to the back pay you are owed from the date your disability began to the date of approval. If your case is not successful, you owe no attorney’s fees. [VERIFY: Confirm Levin Papantonio’s current fee cap and update the cap figure if it differs from the SSA maximum.]
SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is based on your work history and the Social Security credits you’ve earned through payroll taxes. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a needs-based program that does not require a work history. It is available to disabled individuals with limited income and assets, regardless of how long they’ve worked. Both programs require a qualifying disability under the SSA’s definition. A person can potentially receive both SSDI and SSI at the same time if their SSDI benefit is low enough that SSI supplements it. Levin Papantonio handles claims for both programs.
Yes. You can apply for SSDI online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. You will need your Social Security number, proof of citizenship or legal residence, recent W-2 forms or tax returns, documented work history, and complete medical records, including physician contact information, treatment dates, medications, and lab results. Military service members who are disabled due to a service-related condition may qualify for an expedited review process. An attorney can help you organize and submit the strongest possible initial application to reduce the likelihood of denial.
To find a Social Security disability lawyer, look for attorneys who focus specifically on SSDI and SSI cases, work on a contingency fee basis, and offer free initial case evaluations. Levin Papantonio’s Social Security Disability team represents claimants nationwide, handles both initial applications and appeals, and charges no fee unless benefits are awarded. You can reach us at (800) 277-1193 or request a free case evaluation by submitting the form on this page. [VERIFY: confirm the correct intake phone number and form URL before publishing.]
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