Cascadia Disability Law is a nonprofit law firm serving Washington, Oregon, and Idaho

Cascadia Disability Law is a nonprofit organization that provides legal representation to people with disabilities in the Pacific Northwest. They focus on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cases, helping people understand their rights and represent themselves or work with a lawyer through the appeals process.

The organization operates in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. They work with people at different stages—whether you are preparing to file, have been denied, or are appealing a decision. Because they are a nonprofit, their fees are lower than private disability lawyers, and they sometimes work on cases where a private firm might not take the case.

Cascadia Disability Law also provides legal information and representation in other areas that affect people with disabilities, including housing, benefits, and civil rights issues. This broader scope means they can help with problems that connect to your SSDI or SSI case but fall outside Social Security law itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Cascadia Disability Law serves people in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho who need help with SSDI, SSI, and other disability-related legal matters.
  • As a nonprofit, they charge lower fees than private disability lawyers and may take cases that private firms decline.
  • They represent people at the initial process stage, during appeals, and in related legal problems like housing disputes.
  • You can contact them by phone, email, or through their website to ask about your specific situation and whether they can help.
  • If you cannot afford a private lawyer, Cascadia Disability Law is one of the few organizations that offers low-cost or sliding-scale representation in the region.

How to contact Cascadia Disability Law

You can reach Cascadia Disability Law through their main office or by visiting their website. The organization lists phone numbers and email addresses for each state they serve—Washington, Oregon, and Idaho—so you can contact the office closest to you.

When you call or email, be ready to describe your situation briefly: whether you are filing for the first time, have been denied, or are in the middle of an appeal. They will ask questions to understand whether your case is something they can take on and what the next steps might be. Some offices have intake lines that screen calls, so you may not speak to a lawyer when ready, but your information will be passed along.

If you are not sure whether you need a lawyer yet, Cascadia Disability Law staff can often answer basic questions about the process and help you decide whether representation makes sense for your case.

What Cascadia Disability Law charges

Cascadia Disability Law charges on a sliding scale based on your income, which means the fee depends on what you earn. Because they are a nonprofit, they do not charge the standard 25% of back pay that many private disability lawyers do. If your income is very low, they may charge nothing at all.

You should ask about their fee structure when you first contact them. They can tell you what the cost would be for your specific situation. Some people may have access to for free representation; others pay a reduced fee. The organization also sometimes takes cases where there is no money to recover, which a private lawyer would typically decline.

When Cascadia Disability Law can represent you

Cascadia Disability Law represents people filing for SSDI or SSI, people whose claims have been denied and are appealing, and people in the middle of the appeals process. They can represent you at the reconsideration stage (the first appeal), at a hearing before an administrative law judge, and sometimes at higher levels of appeal.

They also handle cases involving other benefits or legal issues that affect people with disabilities. For example, if you are fighting a housing problem or a civil rights violation that is connected to your disability, they may be able to help with that too. This makes them useful if your situation involves more than just Social Security.

If you are already represented by another lawyer, Cascadia Disability Law generally will not take your case. But if you are unrepresented or your current lawyer is not working out, contact them to discuss your options.

What to bring when you contact them

When you reach out to Cascadia Disability Law, have the following information ready: your Social Security number, the date you filed (or plan to file), and any denial letters you have received. If you are appealing, bring the date of the denial and the reason given.

You should also be prepared to describe your medical conditions and work history in basic terms. You do not need medical records or a detailed timeline yet—that comes later if they take your case. But the more you can tell them about what prevents you from working, the better they can assess whether your case is one they can help with.

If you have already worked with another lawyer or representative, let them know. This helps them understand the history of your case and whether there are any conflicts or complications.

Why a nonprofit law firm might be right for you

A nonprofit disability law firm like Cascadia Disability Law operates differently from a private law firm. They do not need to turn a profit, so they can take cases that are harder to win or involve less money. They also often have staff who specialize in the specific region you live in, which means they know the local judges, the Social Security office, and the appeals process as it works in your state.

Nonprofit firms also tend to move more slowly than private firms because they have fewer staff and more cases. This is not always a disadvantage—it means they are thorough—but it is something to understand going in. If you need representation quickly, ask about their timeline when you contact them.

Because Cascadia Disability Law serves a three-state region, they have built relationships with judges and hearing offices across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. This local knowledge can matter when your case goes to a hearing.

Other resources if Cascadia Disability Law cannot help

If Cascadia Disability Law is not taking new cases or cannot represent you for some reason, ask them for referrals to other organizations in your state. Many states have multiple nonprofits that do disability law work, and staff at Cascadia can point you toward them.

You can also search for disability lawyers through your state bar association or through the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR), which lists lawyers and representatives who specialize in SSDI and SSI cases. Some private lawyers will work on a contingency basis, meaning they take payment only if you win and receive back pay.

If you cannot afford a lawyer at all, ask the Social Security Administration about free legal aid organizations in your area. Some communities have legal aid societies that handle disability cases, and some law school clinics offer free representation to people with disabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lawyer to file for SSDI or SSI?

No, you can file on your own. But having a lawyer or representative increases your chances of winning, especially if your case is denied and you appeal. Cascadia Disability Law can help you decide whether representation makes sense for your situation.

What if I live in California or another state outside the Pacific Northwest?

Cascadia Disability Law serves only Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. If you live elsewhere, contact your state bar association or search NOSSCR for disability lawyers in your state. Many states have nonprofit disability law organizations similar to Cascadia.

How long does it take Cascadia Disability Law to respond after I contact them?

Response time varies depending on how busy they are. Call or email and ask about their current intake timeline. If you are in the middle of an urgent important date—like a hearing date coming up soon—mention that when you contact them so they know to prioritize your case.

Can Cascadia Disability Law help if I have already been denied once?

Yes. They represent people at the reconsideration stage (the first appeal after a denial) and at hearings before an administrative law judge. If you have been denied and want to appeal, contact them to discuss your options.

What happens if Cascadia Disability Law takes my case?

They will gather your medical records, review your work history, and prepare your case for the next stage of the process. They will represent you at any hearings and handle communication with Social Security on your behalf. You will work with them throughout the appeals process.