What the Disability Law Center of Alaska does

The Disability Law Center of Alaska (DLCA) is a nonprofit law firm that represents people in Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cases. They do not charge fees — they are funded by federal grants and do not take a percentage of your back pay. Their lawyers and paralegals handle the full process: writing your initial claim, representing you at reconsideration, and arguing your case before an administrative law judge if you are denied.

DLCA takes cases throughout Alaska. They prioritize people with the fewest resources to hire private lawyers, which usually means people with very low income or people whose cases involve complex legal issues. They also represent people in cases where the Social Security Administration (SSA) has made what DLCA believes is a legal error — for instance, if SSA ignored medical evidence or applied the wrong standard when deciding whether your condition is severe enough.

The center also runs a separate practice focused on work incentives — programs that let you earn money while on SSDI or SSI without losing your benefits immediately. That work incentives team can explain how the Ticket to Work program, Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS), and other SSA work rules actually affect your specific situation.

Key Takeaways

  • DLCA represents people in SSDI and SSI cases at no cost to you, and does not take a cut of your back pay.
  • They handle cases from the initial claim stage through a hearing before an administrative law judge, and sometimes through federal court appeals.
  • DLCA prioritizes people with low income or cases involving legal errors by the Social Security Administration.
  • The center has a separate team that explains work incentive programs, which let you earn money while on disability without losing benefits right away.
  • You can contact DLCA directly by phone or through their website to ask whether they can take your case.

When DLCA will represent you

DLCA does not represent everyone who contacts them. They have a limited number of staff lawyers and paralegals, so they choose cases based on need and legal merit. They are more likely to take your case if you have very low income, if you have been denied and are preparing for a hearing, or if your case involves a legal question — for example, whether SSA correctly evaluated your medical evidence or whether they applied the right standard for your type of disability.

They are also more likely to represent you if you are appealing a denial. Initial claims are harder for them to take because the volume is high and the legal issues are often straightforward. But if you have been denied once and are moving toward a hearing, DLCA has more reason to get involved, because that is where a lawyer's argument can change the outcome.

If DLCA cannot take your case, they can usually refer you to another organization or tell you what steps to take on your own. They maintain relationships with other legal aid programs across Alaska and can point you toward resources in your region.

How to contact DLCA and what to bring

You can reach the Disability Law Center of Alaska by phone at 907-344-1002 or through their website at dlcak.org. When you call, be ready to describe your disability, when you filed your claim, and whether you have already been denied. If you have been denied, have your denial letter in front of you — it will tell DLCA what stage you are at and what your next deadline is.

If DLCA agrees to represent you, they will ask for copies of your medical records, your work history, and any other documents SSA has sent you. You do not need to gather everything before you call — DLCA can request records from your doctors and from SSA themselves. But having your denial letter and a list of your doctors' names and addresses will speed up the process.

DLCA also has an intake form on their website that you can fill out before calling. This gives them basic information about your case and can help them decide quickly whether representation is possible. The form is not required, but it can shorten the wait time.

What happens after DLCA takes your case

Once DLCA agrees to represent you, a lawyer or paralegal will be assigned to your case. They will review all the medical evidence SSA has and may ask you to see additional doctors if there are gaps in the record. They will also write a brief explaining why your condition meets Social Security's definition of disability — this brief is what SSA and the judge will read.

If you are at the reconsideration stage (the first appeal after a denial), DLCA will submit that brief to SSA. SSA will review it and either overturn the denial or send your case to a hearing before an administrative law judge. If you go to a hearing, DLCA's lawyer will represent you in person or by phone, ask you questions to bring out the important facts, and cross-examine the SSA medical expert who testifies against you.

DLCA can also represent you if you appeal a hearing loss to federal court, though this is less common. Federal court appeals are expensive and time-consuming, so DLCA takes only cases where there is a strong legal error — not cases where the judge simply disagreed with the medical evidence.

DLCA's work incentives team

DLCA has lawyers and work incentives specialists who focus on helping people on SSDI or SSI understand how they can work and earn money without losing their benefits. Social Security has several programs designed to let you test your ability to work: the Ticket to Work program lets you work for up to nine years without SSA reviewing whether you are still disabled. A Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) lets you set aside income and resources to reach a work goal without those amounts counting against your SSI limit.

These programs are complicated, and making a mistake can cost you months of benefits. DLCA's work incentives team can explain which program fits your situation, help you write a PASS plan if that is the right choice, and make sure you report your work and earnings to SSA correctly. You can ask about work incentives when you call DLCA, or you can ask specifically to speak with the work incentives team.

Cost and how DLCA is funded

There is no cost to you for DLCA's representation. DLCA is a nonprofit law firm funded by federal grants from the Administration for Community Living and by state funding. They do not charge hourly fees, do not charge a retainer, and do not take a percentage of your back pay — the money SSA owes you from the date you became disabled.

This is different from private disability lawyers, who typically charge 25 percent of your back pay (up to a maximum set by Social Security, currently $7,200). If you hire a private lawyer, that fee comes out of your back pay before you receive it. With DLCA, you keep all of your back pay.

Other legal aid resources in Alaska

If DLCA cannot represent you, other organizations in Alaska may be able to help. Alaska Legal Services Corporation (ALSC) handles a broad range of legal aid cases and sometimes takes Social Security cases, particularly if you are also facing eviction, domestic violence, or other legal problems. You can reach ALSC at 1-888-529-2252.

Some private disability lawyers in Alaska also work on contingency, meaning they charge only if you win and take their fee from your back pay. If you go this route, make sure the lawyer is experienced in Social Security cases — not all lawyers who handle disability are familiar with SSA's specific rules and standards. You can ask DLCA for a referral to a private lawyer they trust, even if they cannot take your case themselves.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does DLCA charge if I lose my case?

No. DLCA charges nothing regardless of the outcome. You will not owe them money if your case is denied. This is true whether you are at the initial claim stage, reconsideration, a hearing, or federal court appeal.

Can DLCA represent me if I have already hired a private lawyer?

Usually not. Once you have signed a fee agreement with another lawyer, DLCA cannot step in and take over. If you are unhappy with your private lawyer, you can fire them, but you will still owe them their fee for the work they have done. Talk to DLCA about your concerns before you hire someone else.

How long does it take DLCA to decide whether they will represent me?

DLCA usually makes a decision within a few weeks of your initial call. If they are very busy, it may take longer. If you have an upcoming deadline — for instance, a hearing date — tell them when you call so they can prioritize your intake.

What if I live in a remote part of Alaska?

DLCA represents people throughout Alaska, including rural and remote areas. You can participate in a hearing by phone if you cannot travel to Anchorage. DLCA can also work with you by mail and phone if an in-person meeting is not practical.

Can DLCA help me understand my SSI or SSDI benefits after I am approved?

DLCA's main focus is representation in the claim and appeal process. However, their work incentives team can help you understand how work, earnings, and other income affect your benefits once you are approved. Call and ask specifically about work incentives if that is what you need.