Where to find representatives and attorneys for your disability case
Social Security maintains an official directory of people and firms authorized to represent you in disability cases. You can search this directory yourself at no cost, and you should — it is the only way to verify that someone is actually approved to work on Social Security matters. The directory is called the Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) Representative Locator, and it lists attorneys, non-attorney representatives, and firms that have passed Social Security's vetting process.
Representatives and attorneys can help you file your initial claim, appeal a denial, or prepare for a hearing before an administrative law judge. They cannot speed up Social Security's processing time, and they cannot may provide an outcome. What they can do is make sure your medical evidence is complete, your application answers the right questions, and you are prepared if your case goes to a hearing.
Social Security also publishes a separate list of organizations that offer free or low-cost help — these are not law firms, but they know the system and can answer questions about your case at no charge.
Key Takeaways
- The OHO Representative Locator at ssa.gov/representation is the official directory; search it before contacting anyone who claims to represent disability claimants.
- Representatives and attorneys are paid only if your case is approved, and Social Security caps their fee at 25 percent of your back pay, up to $7,200 as of 2024.
- Non-attorney representatives (called "non-attorney practitioners") can do most of what an attorney can do in a disability case, and they often charge less.
- Free help is available through Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) programs and local legal aid offices, though wait times vary by location.
- Anyone representing you must sign a form with Social Security before they can access your file or speak to the agency on your behalf.
How to search the official representative directory
Go to ssa.gov/representation and click "Find a Representative." You can search by name, location, or organization. The search results show whether the person is an attorney, a non-attorney representative, or a firm, and whether they are currently authorized to practice before Social Security. If someone is not in this directory, Social Security will not let them represent you.
The directory includes the representative's phone number, address, and sometimes a website. It also shows whether they have any disciplinary history with Social Security. If a representative has been sanctioned or suspended, that information appears in the search result. Read it carefully — it tells you whether Social Security has had problems with how they handle cases.
You can also call Social Security's main line at 1-800-772-1213 and ask for the phone number of a representative in your area. The staff member will not recommend one person over another, but they can give you names to start with.
The difference between attorneys and non-attorney representatives
An attorney is a lawyer licensed to practice in your state. A non-attorney representative (also called a non-attorney practitioner or accredited representative) is someone who has passed Social Security's test on disability law and procedure but is not a lawyer. Both can represent you in a disability case from start to finish.
In practice, the work is nearly identical. Both can file your claim, gather medical records, write appeals, and represent you at a hearing. The main difference is that an attorney can also advise you on other legal matters related to your case — for example, whether you should pursue a workers' compensation claim at the same time, or how a disability award might affect other benefits you receive. A non-attorney representative must stay within Social Security disability law.
Non-attorney representatives often charge less than attorneys, and some charge nothing upfront. Both are paid the same way: only if your case is approved, and only from your back pay (the money owed to you from the date you became disabled). Social Security limits the fee to 25 percent of your back pay, with a cap of $7,200 as of 2024. This cap changes yearly.
How representatives are paid and what you owe
You do not pay a representative out of pocket. Instead, if Social Security approves your claim, the agency deducts the representative's fee directly from your back pay before sending you the money. For example, if you are owed $10,000 in back pay and your representative's fee is 25 percent, Social Security pays the representative $2,500 and sends you $7,500.
Before a representative can be paid, they must file a fee agreement form (Form SSA-1696-U6) with Social Security. You sign this form, and it tells Social Security how much the representative can charge. If the representative tries to charge you more than what is on the form, or tries to collect money from you before your case is decided, report them to Social Security's Office of the Inspector General.
Some representatives charge a flat fee instead of a percentage. If they do, that flat fee still cannot exceed $7,200 (or the yearly cap in effect when you sign the agreement). Ask the representative upfront what they charge and get it in writing before you hire them.
Free and low-cost help for disability cases
If you cannot afford a representative or want a second opinion, several programs offer free help. Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) programs exist in every state and provide free legal help to people with disabilities who are applying for or receiving Social Security benefits. You can find your state's PABSS office through the National Disability Rights Network at ndrn.org.
Your local legal aid office may also help with disability cases, though their focus is usually on other housing and benefits matters. Call 211 or visit findlegalhelp.org to locate the legal aid office nearest you. Wait times for free help can be long — sometimes weeks or months — so start looking early if your case is going to a hearing.
Some disability law clinics run by law schools or nonprofits offer free consultations. These are not ongoing representation, but they can review your file and tell you whether you need a representative or whether you can move forward on your own. Ask your local legal aid office or PABSS program whether they know of a clinic in your area.
What to watch for when choosing a representative
Before you hire anyone, verify them in the OHO Representative Locator. Do not rely on a website, a phone call, or a referral from someone else — check the official directory yourself. If someone is not listed, do not work with them.
Be cautious of representatives who may provide an outcome, promise to speed up Social Security's decision, or ask you to pay upfront. Social Security sets the timeline for decisions, not your representative. And the fee agreement form is the only legal way to pay — money should never change hands before your case is approved.
Ask the representative how long they have worked on disability cases, how many cases they have handled, and what happens if your case is denied. A good representative will explain the process clearly, answer your questions, and tell you honestly whether your case is strong or weak. They should also explain what happens next at each stage — filing, waiting for a decision, appealing if you are denied, and preparing for a hearing.
What happens after you hire a representative
Once you sign a fee agreement, your representative can request your file from Social Security, review your medical records, and speak to the agency on your behalf. You will still receive notices from Social Security in the mail, but your representative will also get copies. Make sure your representative has your correct address and phone number so they can reach you if Social Security needs more information.
Your representative should keep you updated on your case. If they do not respond to your calls or emails for weeks at a time, that is a sign of a problem. You can fire a representative at any time by notifying Social Security in writing. If you do, you will owe them a fee only for the work they completed before you let them go — and only if your case is eventually approved.
If you have a complaint about your representative's conduct, you can file a complaint with Social Security's Office of the Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-269-0271. Social Security can investigate whether the representative violated rules, charged too much, or mishandled your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I represent myself in a disability case?
Yes. You do not need a representative to file a claim or appeal a denial. Many people handle their own cases, especially at the initial application stage. However, if your case goes to a hearing before an administrative law judge, having someone who knows the rules and procedure can make a real difference in the outcome.
What if I cannot find a representative in my area?
The OHO Representative Locator includes representatives who work by phone and video, not just in person. Search the directory and filter by phone or virtual representation. You can also contact your state's PABSS office or legal aid program to ask whether they know of representatives who serve your area remotely.
How long does it take to hear back from a representative after I contact them?
That varies. Busy representatives may take a week or more to return calls. Before you hire someone, ask how quickly they typically respond and what the best way to reach them is. If a representative takes more than two weeks to get back to you before you have even hired them, that is a sign they may be slow to respond once you are a client.
What if my representative and I disagree about strategy?
Talk to them about it. A good representative will explain their reasoning and listen to your concerns. If you cannot agree on how to proceed, you can hire a different representative or represent yourself. You do not have to stay with someone you do not trust.
Do I need an attorney, or is a non-attorney representative enough?
For most disability cases, a non-attorney representative is sufficient. They know the rules as well as an attorney does. An attorney may be worth the extra cost if your case involves complex legal issues outside Social Security disability — for example, if you are also pursuing a workers' compensation claim or a personal injury lawsuit that might affect your benefits.