What Morgan & Morgan does for SSDI cases
Morgan & Morgan is a law firm that represents people in Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) appeals. They work on cases where the Social Security Administration has denied a claim or stopped benefits, and the person wants to challenge that decision in front of a judge. The firm operates in multiple states and handles the paperwork, evidence gathering, and courtroom representation that an appeal requires.
The firm charges a contingency fee, which means they only get paid if you win your case. That payment comes from your back pay — the money Social Security owes you from the date your disability began until the date benefits were approved. You do not pay anything upfront or out of pocket if the case is unsuccessful.
Like all SSDI representatives, Morgan & Morgan must follow a fee cap set by Social Security. Currently, they cannot charge more than 25 percent of your back pay, or $7,200, whichever is less. This limit applies to all attorneys and non-attorney representatives working on SSDI cases.
Key Takeaways
- Morgan & Morgan charges only if you win, taking a percentage of back pay rather than an upfront fee.
- The firm's fee is capped by Social Security law at 25 percent of back pay or $7,200, whichever is smaller.
- You can compare Morgan & Morgan against other law firms and non-attorney representatives using the Social Security Administration's official representative finder.
- Before hiring any representative, confirm they are accredited to practice before Social Security by checking the Social Security website or asking for their credentials.
How the contingency fee structure works in practice
When Morgan & Morgan takes your case, they agree to represent you without payment unless you win. If Social Security approves your appeal, the firm submits a fee petition to Social Security showing the hours worked and the back pay amount. Social Security then approves or denies the fee request — they do not automatically pay whatever the firm asks.
Your back pay is the total amount Social Security owes you from the month your disability began until the month you were approved. If you were denied in 2021 and won on appeal in 2024, your back pay covers those three years. The firm's fee comes from that lump sum, not from your ongoing monthly benefits.
If you win and receive back pay of $20,000, Morgan & Morgan could charge up to $5,000 (25 percent). If back pay is $30,000, they could charge $7,200 (the cap), not $7,500. You receive the remainder after the fee is deducted.
What to check before hiring Morgan & Morgan or any representative
Before you sign a representation agreement with Morgan & Morgan or any firm, confirm that they are accredited to practice before Social Security. You can verify this on the Social Security Administration's website by searching their Office of the Inspector General database, or you can ask the firm directly for their credentials.
Read the fee agreement carefully. It should state the percentage or dollar amount they will charge, confirm it does not exceed the legal cap, and explain that the fee comes from back pay only. If anything in the agreement is unclear, ask the firm to explain it before you sign.
You also have the right to represent yourself in an SSDI appeal, or to hire a different representative at any time. If you decide to switch firms, you will need to file a new representative form with Social Security, and any previous firm's fee agreement becomes void.
How Morgan & Morgan compares to other representation options
SSDI appeals can be handled by attorneys, non-attorney representatives (called "non-attorney practitioners"), or by you alone. Morgan & Morgan is a law firm, so all their representatives are lawyers. Non-attorney practitioners are often less expensive to hire and can represent you just as effectively in many cases — they follow the same rules and fee caps.
The Social Security Administration maintains a public list of all accredited representatives, organized by state and by whether they are attorneys or non-attorneys. You can search this list to see who is available in your area, what their experience is, and whether they have any disciplinary history. This tool lets you compare Morgan & Morgan against other firms side by side.
Some people work with legal aid organizations or disability advocacy groups instead of private firms. These nonprofits often represent people for free or at reduced cost if income qualifies. They may have longer wait times but charge nothing upfront.
What happens during the appeal process with a representative
Once you hire Morgan & Morgan, the firm takes over communication with Social Security on your behalf. They request your case file, review the medical evidence, and decide whether to move forward. If they believe the case is weak, they may decline to represent you — this is their right, and it does not prevent you from hiring someone else.
If they take the case, they gather additional medical records, order new evaluations if needed, and prepare a written brief explaining why Social Security should approve your claim. They also represent you at the hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) if the case reaches that stage. Most SSDI appeals are decided at the hearing level.
Throughout this process, you remain the claimant — Social Security is deciding your case, not the firm's. The representative's job is to present the strongest possible argument on your behalf, but the judge makes the final decision based on the evidence and the law.
Questions to ask before signing with any representative
Ask Morgan & Morgan or any firm: How many SSDI cases have you handled? What percentage of your cases are approved? How long do cases typically take from start to finish? What will you do if Social Security denies the appeal — do you handle further appeals, and at what cost?
Also ask: Will I meet with you in person, or only by phone or email? Who will attend my hearing — you or another attorney from your firm? What happens if I disagree with your strategy — can I make decisions about my own case?
A firm that answers these questions clearly and honestly is usually a safer choice than one that is vague or promises a specific outcome. No representative can may provide approval, because judges make independent decisions.
Red flags when choosing a representative
Be cautious of any representative who guarantees approval, promises a specific amount of back pay, or pressures you to sign quickly. These are signs the firm may not be operating in your best interest. Also avoid representatives who ask for payment upfront or who charge more than the legal cap.
If a firm has multiple disciplinary actions listed in the Social Security database, that is worth investigating further. You can contact the Social Security Office of the Inspector General or your state bar association to learn what those actions were and whether they affect your decision.
Trust your instincts. If you feel rushed, confused, or disrespected during your first conversation with a firm, you have no obligation to hire them. Other representatives are available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch representatives if I am unhappy with Morgan & Morgan?
Yes. You can fire any representative and hire a new one at any time by filing a new representative form with Social Security. The previous firm's fee agreement ends when ready. If you have already won your case and received back pay, the original firm's fee has already been deducted, and you cannot recover it.
What if Morgan & Morgan loses my appeal?
If you lose at the hearing level, you can appeal to the Appeals Council, and then to federal court. Morgan & Morgan can represent you at those stages too, but you would need a new fee agreement. Some firms decline to continue representation after an initial loss; others will continue for an additional fee capped at the same 25 percent or $7,200 of any new back pay awarded.
Do I have to use a representative at all?
No. You can represent yourself in an SSDI appeal without hiring anyone. You will handle all paperwork and attend the hearing alone. Many people do this successfully, though the process is complex and mistakes can delay or harm your case.
How do I know if Morgan & Morgan is accredited?
Search the Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General database online, or call Social Security directly and ask whether Morgan & Morgan is listed as an accredited representative in your state. You can also ask the firm for their accreditation number.
What is the difference between Morgan & Morgan and a non-attorney representative?
Morgan & Morgan is a law firm, so all representatives are lawyers. Non-attorney representatives are trained and accredited but are not attorneys. Both can represent you in SSDI appeals under the same rules and fee caps. Non-attorneys often charge less in practice, though the legal maximum is the same for both.