What Atticus SSDI does

Atticus SSDI is a for-profit company that represents people in Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) appeals. They charge a fee only if they win your case — the same contingency model that Social Security itself permits. Unlike a traditional lawyer's office, Atticus operates primarily online: you communicate through their platform, upload documents there, and they handle the back-and-forth with Social Security on your behalf.

The company focuses on reconsideration and Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearings — the first two levels where most people's cases are decided. They do not handle initial applications; they enter the process after Social Security has already denied you once.

Atticus employs both attorneys and non-attorney representatives. Which one works your case depends on the stage of appeal and what Atticus determines is the best fit for your claim. Both types of representative are authorized by Social Security to charge fees under the same rules.

Key Takeaways

  • Atticus charges a fee only if they win, capped at 25 percent of your back pay, which is the same limit Social Security sets for all representatives.
  • You can work with Atticus at the reconsideration stage or the ALJ hearing stage, but they do not handle initial SSDI or SSI applications.
  • Atticus is a private company, not a government agency, and is not affiliated with Social Security — you must still file your own appeal request with Social Security to start the process.
  • Your case is handled through Atticus's online platform, which means less in-person contact but also a record of all communications in one place.
  • Before signing with any representative, you can request their fee agreement in writing and confirm they are authorized by Social Security to charge a fee.

How the fee structure works

Atticus charges what is called a contingency fee. You pay nothing upfront and nothing if they lose. If they win, they take a percentage of your back pay — the money Social Security owes you from the date you became disabled to the date your benefits start.

Social Security caps all representative fees at 25 percent of back pay or $7,200, whichever is less. This cap applies whether you hire Atticus, a law firm, or any other authorized representative. Atticus cannot charge more than this limit, and they must disclose their fee in a written agreement before you sign.

Back pay is separate from your ongoing monthly benefit. If you win at an ALJ hearing and receive $50,000 in back pay, Atticus takes 25 percent of that $50,000 (or $7,200 if 25 percent exceeds that cap). Your ongoing monthly SSDI or SSI payment is not touched. Social Security pays Atticus directly from your back pay, so you do not write them a check.

If you win at reconsideration, the fee works the same way. If you lose at reconsideration and then hire Atticus for the ALJ hearing, they can charge a fee only on the back pay awarded at the hearing — not retroactively on what they might have won at reconsideration if they had represented you then.

When you can hire Atticus

Atticus enters your case after Social Security has denied you. The two main stages where they work are reconsideration and ALJ hearing.

At reconsideration, a different Social Security examiner reviews your file and the evidence you submit. This is your second chance at the agency level. Atticus can represent you here, submit new medical records, and argue why the initial denial was wrong. You have 60 days from the date on your denial letter to request reconsideration; Atticus can help you file that request.

If reconsideration is also denied, you can request an ALJ hearing. This is a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge — an independent decision-maker who works for Social Security but is not the same examiner who denied you twice. Atticus often focuses here because ALJ hearings are where most reversals happen. You have 60 days from your reconsideration denial to request a hearing.

Atticus does not handle initial applications. If you have not yet applied for SSDI or SSI, you must file that process yourself through Social Security's website, by phone, or in person at your local Social Security office. Only after you receive a denial can you hire a representative like Atticus.

What Atticus needs from you

To take your case, Atticus will ask you to upload medical records, work history, and any other documents that support your claim. They use an online portal where you can upload files, answer questions about your condition, and track the status of your case.

You will need to sign a fee agreement and an authorization form that allows Atticus to represent you before Social Security. The authorization form is called a Form SSA-1696 (or Form SSA-1696-U for non-attorney representatives). This form tells Social Security that Atticus is your official representative and can receive notices, request records, and argue your case on your behalf.

Atticus will also ask detailed questions about your medical history, your work, and how your condition limits you. The more complete your medical record, the stronger your case. If you are missing records from a doctor or hospital, Atticus can request them, but you may need to sign a release form first.

How Atticus differs from other representation options

You have several choices for representation at the appeal stage. A disability lawyer (an attorney licensed to practice law) can represent you under the same fee rules as Atticus. A non-attorney representative — someone trained in Social Security law but not a lawyer — can also represent you and charge the same capped fee. You can also represent yourself for free.

Atticus is a non-attorney representative firm, meaning the people working your case may include attorneys and non-attorneys. Some people prefer working with a law firm because they want an attorney's name on their case; others prefer Atticus because the online model is more convenient and the company specializes in SSDI and SSI appeals rather than general disability law.

The fee cap of 25 percent of back pay (or $7,200) is the same across all representatives, so cost should not be the deciding factor. Instead, consider whether you prefer online communication or in-person meetings, whether you want an attorney or a non-attorney representative, and whether the company's track record and approach match your needs.

You can also represent yourself at no cost. Many people win their appeals without a representative, especially if they have strong medical evidence. The trade-off is that you handle all the paperwork, important date, and communication with Social Security yourself.

What happens after you hire Atticus

Once you sign the fee agreement and authorization form, Atticus becomes your official representative. Social Security will send all future notices to Atticus, not to you — though you should still receive copies. Atticus will review your file, identify gaps in your medical evidence, and request additional records if needed.

If you are at reconsideration, Atticus will prepare a written argument explaining why the initial denial was wrong and submit it along with any new evidence. They will not attend a hearing at reconsideration; it is a paper review only.

If you are at the ALJ hearing stage, Atticus will prepare you for the hearing, help you gather evidence, and represent you at the hearing itself. An attorney or non-attorney representative from Atticus will be present (either in person or by phone, depending on how the hearing is conducted). They will question you, present medical evidence, and argue your case to the judge.

After the hearing, the ALJ will issue a written decision. If you win, Social Security calculates your back pay and ongoing benefit. Atticus's fee is deducted from the back pay before it is sent to you. If you lose, you can appeal further to the Appeals Council, though Atticus's involvement at that stage would depend on a new agreement.

Questions to ask before hiring Atticus

Before you sign with Atticus or any representative, confirm a few things in writing. Ask what their fee will be — it should be 25 percent of back pay or $7,200, whichever is less. Ask whether an attorney or non-attorney representative will handle your case. Ask how long they estimate the process will take and what happens if you lose.

You can also ask Atticus about their approval rate — the percentage of cases they win. Be cautious of any representative who claims a very high approval rate, because approval rates vary widely depending on the strength of cases they take. A company that turns down weak cases will have a higher approval rate than one that takes every case.

Finally, confirm that Atticus is authorized by Social Security to charge a fee. You can verify this by asking to see their fee authorization or by contacting your local Social Security office. Any representative charging a fee must have written authorization from Social Security.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hire Atticus if I have already been denied once?

Yes. If Social Security has denied your initial process, you can hire Atticus to represent you at reconsideration or at the ALJ hearing. You must request reconsideration or a hearing within 60 days of your denial letter, so contact Atticus as soon as possible if you want their help.

What if Atticus loses my case?

You pay nothing. Atticus's fee is contingent on winning. If they lose at reconsideration or at the ALJ hearing, you owe them no fee. You can then appeal further (to the Appeals Council, then federal court) and hire a different representative or represent yourself.

Can Atticus represent me at the Appeals Council or in federal court?

Atticus primarily handles reconsideration and ALJ hearings. If your case goes to the Appeals Council or federal court, you would need to discuss representation with Atticus separately. Many cases do not reach that stage, so this is not a concern for most people.

Do I have to use Atticus, or can I represent myself?

You can represent yourself for free at any stage of appeal. Many people win without a representative. The advantage of hiring someone like Atticus is that they know Social Security's rules, can gather medical evidence, and can argue your case. The disadvantage is that you give up 25 percent of your back pay.

How long does the process take with Atticus?

Reconsideration usually takes three to six months. An ALJ hearing can take six months to two years, depending on the judge's workload and your local Social Security office. Atticus can give you a better estimate once they review your case, but these timelines vary widely.