Who Brown and Brown is and what they do

Brown and Brown is a law firm that represents people in Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) appeals. They work with clients who have been denied benefits and are fighting that decision before an administrative law judge or the Appeals Council.

The firm operates in multiple states and handles cases at different stages of the appeal process. If you have received a denial letter from Social Security and want to challenge it, Brown and Brown is one option among many law firms that do this work. They charge fees only if they win your case, which is the standard arrangement for SSDI representation.

Like all SSDI representatives, Brown and Brown must be approved by Social Security to charge fees. The firm cannot charge you upfront, and their fee is capped by federal law at 25 percent of your past-due benefits, up to a maximum of $7,200 (though this cap may change).

Key Takeaways

  • Brown and Brown represents people appealing SSDI and SSI denials, charging a fee only if they win and only from your back pay, not from your ongoing monthly benefits.
  • You can hire any Social Security-approved representative, including Brown and Brown, a different law firm, a non-lawyer advocate, or no one at all.
  • Before hiring any firm, confirm they are currently approved by Social Security and ask what stage of appeal they typically handle.
  • Your representative agreement with Brown and Brown must be filed with Social Security, and you have the right to fire them and hire someone else at any point.
  • The fee cap is set by federal law, so Brown and Brown cannot charge more than any other firm, but they may charge less.

How representation works in SSDI appeals

When you hire a representative like Brown and Brown, they gather medical records, obtain statements from your doctors, and prepare arguments for why Social Security's denial was wrong. They file documents with the Appeals Council or the administrative law judge, depending on what stage your case is at.

Your representative does not go to court with you in the traditional sense. Most SSDI hearings happen by videoconference or telephone, and your representative can appear with you remotely. Some cases are decided on the written record alone, without a hearing.

The representative's job is to build the strongest case possible using the medical and work history evidence already in your file, plus any new evidence they can obtain. They are not allowed to charge you anything unless and until Social Security says yes to your appeal.

What Brown and Brown costs and how payment works

Brown and Brown charges a contingency fee, meaning you pay nothing upfront and nothing if you lose. If you win, their fee comes from your back pay—the money Social Security owes you for the months between when you were denied and when you were approved.

The maximum fee is set by federal law at 25 percent of your back pay, with a hard cap of $7,200. This limit applies to all SSDI representatives, including Brown and Brown. Some firms charge less than the maximum; you can ask Brown and Brown what their standard fee is.

The fee agreement must be filed with Social Security before the firm can charge you. You will receive a copy of this agreement, and you should keep it. If you win your case, Social Security will deduct the fee from your back pay and send it directly to the firm, so you do not have to pay them yourself.

How to know if Brown and Brown is right for your situation

Brown and Brown may be a good fit if you have been denied SSDI or SSI and want a law firm to handle your appeal. However, you should ask them specific questions before hiring: What stage of appeal do they usually handle? How long do cases typically take? Do they have experience with your particular condition or type of work?

You can also check whether Brown and Brown is currently approved by Social Security by visiting the Social Security website or calling 1-800-772-1213 and asking. Approval status can change, so it is worth confirming before you sign anything.

If Brown and Brown is not a good match—for example, if they do not handle cases at the stage yours is at—you can hire a different representative or represent yourself. You are never required to hire anyone.

Other representation options to consider

Brown and Brown is one of many firms and advocates that represent SSDI appellants. Other options include solo disability attorneys, legal aid organizations, non-lawyer advocates (called "representatives" or "accredited representatives"), and disability advocacy groups.

Legal aid organizations often represent people for free if your income is low enough. Non-lawyer representatives charge the same fee cap as attorneys but may have lower overhead and faster turnaround. Some people represent themselves and do the work without hiring anyone.

Before choosing any representative, compare what they charge, what experience they have, and how they communicate with clients. Ask for references if possible. The right choice depends on your case, your budget, and how comfortable you are managing the appeal yourself.

Your rights if you hire Brown and Brown

Once you sign a fee agreement with Brown and Brown, they become your official representative on record with Social Security. You have the right to fire them at any time and hire someone else, or to represent yourself instead. If you change representatives, you must file a new agreement with Social Security.

Your representative must keep your case information confidential and cannot share details with anyone except Social Security and the judge handling your case. They must also be honest with you about your chances and not make promises about the outcome.

If you believe Brown and Brown is not doing their job or is treating you unfairly, you can file a complaint with Social Security's Office of the Inspector General or with your state bar association (if they are a lawyer). You can also straightforward fire them and hire someone else.

What happens after you hire a representative

Once Brown and Brown is hired, they will request your file from Social Security and review all the medical records and statements already there. They will likely ask you for permission to contact your doctors and request updated medical evidence. They may also ask you questions about your work history and daily activities.

Your representative will then prepare a written brief or statement explaining why the denial was wrong and submit it to the judge or Appeals Council. If there is a hearing, they will present your case and may ask you questions to help the judge understand your condition and limitations.

The timeline varies widely depending on the stage of appeal and how busy the court is. Some cases take six months; others take two years or more. Brown and Brown should give you a realistic estimate based on your specific situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hire Brown and Brown if I already have another representative?

Yes, but you must fire your current representative first. You do this by filing a new fee agreement with Social Security naming Brown and Brown instead. Social Security will notify your old representative that they are no longer your lawyer.

What if Brown and Brown wins my case but I disagree with the fee they charge?

The fee is capped by federal law at 25 percent of back pay or $7,200, whichever is less. If you believe they are charging more than the law allows, you can file a complaint with Social Security's Office of the Inspector General or contact your state bar association.

Do I have to go to a hearing if I hire Brown and Brown?

Not necessarily. Some cases are decided on the written record alone. Brown and Brown will tell you whether a hearing is likely in your case and will represent you at the hearing if one is scheduled. You can attend by phone or video.

What if I lose my appeal even with Brown and Brown representing me?

You do not owe Brown and Brown any fee if you lose. You can then decide whether to appeal further (to federal court) or stop. If you appeal to federal court, you would need to hire a different representative, as SSDI appeals beyond the Appeals Council require a lawyer.

How do I know if Brown and Brown is still approved by Social Security?

Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask whether Brown and Brown is an approved representative in your state. You can also visit the Social Security website and search their list of representatives. Approval can change, so it is worth checking before you sign anything.