Hanley Disability Partners is a law firm that represents people in Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cases
Hanley Disability Partners is a private law firm that focuses on Social Security disability claims. They represent clients who are applying for SSDI or SSI, who have been denied and are appealing, or who are already receiving benefits and need help with ongoing issues. The firm works on a contingency basis, meaning they only get paid if you win your case — and their fee comes from your back pay, not from your pocket upfront.
The firm operates in multiple states and handles cases at different stages: initial applications, reconsideration appeals, hearings before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), and Appeals Council reviews. They also handle cases involving work incentives and benefit planning for people who want to return to work while keeping some or all of their benefits.
Key Takeaways
- Hanley Disability Partners charges a contingency fee — they take a percentage of your back pay only if you win, and you pay nothing upfront.
- The firm represents clients at every stage of the SSDI and SSI process, from initial claim through Appeals Council review.
- You can contact them directly to discuss your case, and they will tell you whether they can take it and what the next steps are.
- Having a lawyer does not speed up the Social Security Administration's timeline, but it increases the chance of approval, especially at the hearing stage.
- The firm can also advise on work incentives and how returning to work affects your benefits.
How Hanley Disability Partners charges for their services
Hanley Disability Partners works on contingency, which means they do not charge an upfront fee. Instead, if your case is approved, they take a percentage of the back pay you receive — the money Social Security owes you from the date you became disabled to the date your benefits started. The exact percentage is set by a fee agreement you sign before they represent you.
Social Security also caps what disability lawyers can charge. The maximum fee is either 25 percent of your back pay or $7,200, whichever is less. This cap is set by federal law and applies to all SSDI and SSI representatives, including Hanley. If your case is denied, you owe them nothing.
What stages of the disability process Hanley handles
Hanley Disability Partners can represent you at multiple points in your claim:
- Initial application: They help you file your first SSDI or SSI claim with Social Security, gather medical records, and prepare your case from the start.
- Reconsideration: If Social Security denies your initial claim, you can ask for reconsideration — a second review by a different examiner. Hanley can represent you at this stage.
- Hearing before an ALJ: If reconsideration is also denied, you can request a hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge. This is where having a lawyer makes the biggest difference; approval rates are significantly higher when someone is represented.
- Appeals Council review: If the ALJ denies your case, you can appeal to the Appeals Council. Hanley can continue to represent you.
- Federal court: In rare cases, if the Appeals Council denies you, you can file in federal court. Hanley handles some of these cases as well.
How to contact Hanley Disability Partners and what to expect
You can reach Hanley Disability Partners by phone or through their website to discuss your case. When you contact them, be ready to describe your medical condition, your work history, and where you are in the Social Security process — whether you have not yet applied, have been denied, or are waiting for a hearing.
The firm will review your situation and tell you whether they can take your case. They do not take every case; they focus on cases where they believe you have a strong claim. If they agree to represent you, you will sign a fee agreement that explains their contingency fee and your rights. After that, they handle communication with Social Security on your behalf.
Why having a lawyer matters for Social Security disability cases
Social Security disability cases are decided based on medical evidence and the rules Social Security uses to define disability. The rules are complex, and the way you present your case affects the outcome. At the initial and reconsideration stages, having a lawyer helps, but many cases are still denied because the medical evidence is not strong enough.
At the hearing stage, representation makes a much larger difference. People who have a lawyer at their ALJ hearing are approved at higher rates than those who represent themselves. A lawyer knows how to present your medical evidence, how to question the vocational expert (a witness Social Security brings to testify about whether you can work), and how to argue your case under Social Security's rules.
Having a lawyer does not change Social Security's timeline. Cases still take months or years to decide, depending on the stage and your local hearing office's backlog. But a lawyer increases your chances of winning.
Work incentives and benefit planning services
Hanley Disability Partners also advises clients on work incentives — rules that let you earn money and keep some or all of your SSDI or SSI benefits. Many people on disability want to work part-time or return to work gradually, and Social Security has programs designed to support that.
The firm can explain how earnings affect your benefits, what programs like Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) and Plans to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) do, and how to structure your return to work so you do not lose benefits you need. This is especially useful if you are already receiving benefits and thinking about working.
What Hanley Disability Partners cannot do
Hanley Disability Partners represents you in your Social Security disability case, but they cannot speed up Social Security's decision-making process. The agency sets its own timelines, and even with a lawyer, you will wait weeks or months for a decision at each stage.
They also cannot may provide an outcome. Social Security disability is based on medical evidence and the rules of disability; a strong case can still be denied if the medical records do not support your claim or if Social Security interprets the rules differently than your lawyer does.
If you are already receiving benefits and have a question about how a change in your life (like earning more money, getting married, or moving) affects your benefits, Hanley can advise you, but Social Security's local office handles those ongoing benefit questions and changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hire Hanley Disability Partners if I already have a lawyer?
No. Social Security allows only one representative per case. If you already have a lawyer, you would need to end that relationship before hiring Hanley. You can do this by filing a form with Social Security, but make sure you understand the terms of your current fee agreement first.
How long does it take to hear back after I contact Hanley?
Response times vary depending on how busy the firm is. Most law firms respond within a few business days. If you do not hear back within a week, follow up by phone or email.
What if I cannot afford a lawyer?
Hanley Disability Partners works on contingency, so you pay nothing upfront. You only pay if you win, and the fee comes from your back pay. If you cannot afford to wait for back pay, some nonprofits and legal aid offices offer free or low-cost help with disability cases.
Do I need medical records before I contact Hanley?
You do not need to have all your medical records gathered before you call, but it helps to know what doctors you have seen and what conditions they have treated you for. Hanley can help you request records from your doctors and organize them for your case.
What happens if Hanley takes my case and then decides they cannot win?
If a lawyer takes your case and later believes it is not winnable, they can ask to withdraw from representing you. This is rare, but it can happen. You would then need to find another representative or represent yourself for the rest of your case.