Morgan and Morgan does not handle SSDI or SSI cases

Morgan and Morgan is a personal injury law firm. They represent people in car accidents, slip-and-fall cases, medical malpractice lawsuits, and similar situations where someone is injured and sues for damages. They do not represent people explore for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

If you are looking for legal help with an SSDI process or appeal, Morgan and Morgan is not the firm to contact. The lawyers who handle SSDI cases are called Social Security disability representatives, and they specialize entirely in that process. This distinction matters because SSDI is not a lawsuit. You are not suing anyone. You are asking the Social Security Administration to recognize that your medical condition prevents you from working. The process, the rules, and the type of lawyer you need are completely different from personal injury law.

Key Takeaways

  • Morgan and Morgan handles personal injury cases like car accidents and medical malpractice, not SSDI or SSI applications or appeals.
  • Social Security disability cases require a specialized representative who knows SSDI rules and the appeals process, not a personal injury attorney.
  • You can find a Social Security disability representative through the Social Security Administration's official website at ssa.gov or by contacting your local Social Security office.
  • Some disability representatives work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of your back pay if you win, rather than charging an upfront fee.

When you might actually need Morgan and Morgan

There is one scenario where Morgan and Morgan could be relevant to your disability situation: if your medical condition came from an injury you can sue for. For example, if a car accident caused the injury that now prevents you from working, Morgan and Morgan could represent you in that personal injury case and pursue damages from the at-fault driver or their insurance.

The money from a personal injury settlement is separate from SSDI. You could potentially receive both—though SSDI has rules about how much other income you can have, so you would need to understand those limits. But the personal injury case and the SSDI process are two different legal processes handled by two different types of lawyers. If this applies to you, you would hire Morgan and Morgan for the injury lawsuit and a Social Security disability representative for the SSDI process.

What a Social Security disability representative actually does

A Social Security disability representative (also called a disability advocate or SSDI attorney) knows the specific rules for proving disability to the Social Security Administration. They help you gather medical records, organize your case, and present it in the way the agency is most likely to understand and approve. They know which types of medical evidence matter most, how to structure your process, and what information the agency needs to see.

These representatives also handle appeals. If the Social Security Administration denies your claim the first time—which happens to most people—your representative can file an appeal and argue your case at a hearing before an administrative law judge. This is where having someone who knows the system makes the biggest difference. They understand how judges evaluate evidence, what questions they ask, and how to present your medical history in a way that connects to the legal standard for disability.

Social Security disability representatives are regulated by the Social Security Administration itself. You can verify that someone is authorized to represent you by checking the official Social Security website or calling your local Social Security office. This protects you from hiring someone who claims to represent you but is not actually authorized.

How to find the right disability representative

The Social Security Administration maintains a list of authorized representatives on its website at ssa.gov. You can search by location to find disability attorneys and advocates in your area. Many of them offer free initial consultations where you can ask about their experience, their fees, and how they work.

You can also contact your local Social Security office and ask for information about finding authorized representatives. Office staff cannot recommend a specific lawyer, but they can tell you how to find authorized representatives and explain how the fee arrangement works. Some offices have lists of local representatives posted in the waiting area or available by phone.

Some disability representatives charge a flat fee, typically ranging from $1,500 to $3,500. Others work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of your back pay (the money owed to you from the date you became disabled) if you win. The Social Security Administration caps contingency fees at 25 percent of back pay, up to a maximum of $7,200. This means you do not pay anything unless you win, which can make it easier to afford representation.

What happens if you explore without a representative

You can explore for SSDI without a lawyer. Many people do. The Social Security Administration provides forms and instructions, and you can submit your process online, by mail, or in person at a local office. The process itself is free, and there is no penalty for explore on your own.

However, the initial approval rate is low—roughly one in four applicants are approved on their first try. Most people are denied and must appeal. At the appeal stage, having a representative who knows how to present medical evidence and argue before a judge significantly increases your chances of approval. If you are denied and cannot afford a representative upfront, you can hire one after the denial. Many representatives take cases at the appeal stage, and the contingency fee arrangement means you still would not pay unless you win.

The difference between SSDI and SSI

Social Security has two disability programs, and the rules are different. SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is based on your work history—you or a family member paid into Social Security through payroll taxes. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a needs-based program for people with low income and few resources, regardless of work history.

A Social Security disability representative handles both types of cases. The process is similar, but the rules about income limits and resources are stricter for SSI. If you are not sure which program you might be may be able to access for, a representative can help you figure that out during your initial consultation. They can also tell you whether you might may have access to for both programs at the same time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a personal injury lawyer for my SSDI case?

Not effectively. Personal injury lawyers are not trained in Social Security disability law and do not know the specific rules and procedures. You need someone who specializes in SSDI. If your disability came from an injury you can sue for, you could hire both a personal injury lawyer and a disability representative for the two separate cases.

How much does a Social Security disability representative cost?

Costs vary. Some charge a flat fee (typically $1,500 to $3,500), while others work on contingency and take 25 percent of your back pay if you win, up to $7,200. Many offer free consultations so you can ask about their fees before hiring them.

What if I cannot afford a representative?

You can explore without one. If you are denied and want to appeal, many representatives will take your case on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. You can also contact local legal aid organizations—some offer free or low-cost disability representation to people who may have access to.

How do I know if a representative is authorized by Social Security?

Check the Social Security Administration's official website at ssa.gov, where you can search for authorized representatives by location. You can also call your local Social Security office and ask them to verify that someone is authorized to represent you.

How long does the SSDI process take?

The initial decision usually takes three to five months. If you are denied and appeal, the wait for a hearing can be six months to two years, depending on your local hearing office's backlog. A representative cannot speed this up, but they can make sure your case is presented as strongly as possible.