What disability attorneys on Long Island do and how to find one
A disability attorney on Long Island represents people in Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cases. They file your initial claim, represent you at reconsideration, attend your hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, and handle appeals if you are denied. Most work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of your back pay if you win—usually 25 percent, capped at $6,600 by federal law—and charge nothing upfront.
Long Island has two main ways to find a disability attorney: through the Social Security Administration's official roster of representatives, or through local bar associations and referral services. The official roster is the safest starting point because every attorney listed there has been vetted by SSA and must follow federal fee rules. Local referrals can also work, but you will need to confirm the attorney is authorized to practice before SSA.
The Long Island area includes Nassau and Suffolk counties. Both have active disability practices, though availability and caseload vary by firm. Some attorneys take cases at any stage; others focus on appeals or hearings only. Knowing what stage your case is in will help you narrow the search.
Key Takeaways
- The Social Security Administration maintains an official list of authorized representatives at ssa.gov/representation, searchable by state and county, and every attorney on it must follow the $6,600 fee cap.
- Long Island disability attorneys typically work on contingency and take payment only if you win, with fees coming from your back pay rather than your current benefits.
- You can also find attorneys through the Nassau County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service or the Suffolk County Bar Association, but you must confirm they are authorized to practice before SSA.
- Some attorneys specialize in initial claims, others in hearings or appeals; asking about their experience at your case stage will save time and improve your chances.
- You have the right to representation at any stage of your case, and switching attorneys is possible if your current one is not working out.
Using the Social Security Administration's official representative roster
The fastest way to find an authorized disability attorney is through the SSA's Office of the General Counsel representative finder at ssa.gov/representation. You enter your state (New York) and county (Nassau or Suffolk), and the system returns all attorneys, non-attorney representatives, and organizations authorized to represent you before SSA. The list includes their address, phone number, and whether they charge a fee.
Every person on this roster has been vetted by SSA and must follow federal rules: they cannot charge more than 25 percent of your back pay, cannot charge upfront fees, and cannot charge you for work done before you sign a fee agreement. If an attorney is not on this list, they are not authorized to represent you before SSA, even if they practice disability law elsewhere.
The roster does not rate attorneys or tell you how long they have been practicing, their success rate, or how many cases they handle. You will need to call and ask those questions yourself. Most offices will do a brief phone screening to see whether your case fits their practice before scheduling a consultation.
Finding attorneys through Long Island bar associations
The Nassau County Bar Association and Suffolk County Bar Association both run lawyer referral services. You can call the Nassau County Bar at (516) 747-1313 and ask for disability law referrals, or visit the Suffolk County Bar at (631) 234-5000. These services will give you names of attorneys in your area who practice disability law, but they do not screen for SSA authorization or verify credentials.
Before you hire anyone from a bar referral, confirm three things: that they are on the SSA representative roster, that they are licensed to practice in New York, and that they understand the fee cap. You can verify SSA authorization by searching ssa.gov/representation yourself, and you can check New York bar status through the New York State Unified Court System's attorney search at nycourts.gov.
Bar referral services are useful if you want a personal recommendation or if you prefer to speak with a local bar staff member first. They can also help if you are looking for an attorney who handles other legal issues alongside your disability case—for example, estate planning or housing law.
What to ask a disability attorney before hiring
When you call an attorney's office, have your case stage ready: are you filing an initial claim, requesting reconsideration, preparing for a hearing, or appealing a denial? Attorneys often specialize, and a firm that handles hearings may not take initial claims, or vice versa.
Ask how long they have represented people before SSA, how many cases they handle per year, and what their success rate is at the hearing stage (if that is where your case is headed). Ask whether they will represent you at every stage or only at the hearing. Ask what happens if you disagree with their strategy or want to switch attorneys. Ask whether they charge the full 25 percent or a lower fee, and whether they charge anything for the initial consultation.
Ask whether they will obtain your medical records or whether you are responsible for gathering them. Ask how often you will hear from them and how you can reach them if you have questions. Ask whether they have experience with your specific condition or the type of work you did—some attorneys develop informed in certain medical areas or occupational categories.
Understanding attorney fees and how they work
Federal law caps disability attorney fees at 25 percent of your back pay, or $6,600, whichever is less. This means if you win and receive $20,000 in back pay, your attorney takes $5,000 (25 percent). If you win and receive $30,000 in back pay, your attorney takes $6,600 (the cap), not $7,500.
The fee comes from your back pay, not from your current monthly benefit. Your current benefits go to you in full. Back pay is the money SSA owes you from the date you became disabled until the date your claim was approved. If you do not win, you owe nothing.
Some attorneys charge less than 25 percent, especially if your case is straightforward or if they are building their practice. It is worth asking. You must sign a fee agreement before the attorney does any work, and you have the right to request that SSA review the fee to make sure it is reasonable. If you believe an attorney is overcharging or violating fee rules, you can file a complaint with SSA's Office of the General Counsel.
When to hire an attorney versus handling your case alone
You do not need an attorney to file an initial SSDI or SSI claim. You can do it yourself online at ssa.gov, by phone, or in person at your local Social Security office. Many people file initial claims without representation and win.
An attorney becomes more valuable at reconsideration and especially at the hearing stage. At reconsideration, SSA reviews your file without a hearing; an attorney can submit new medical evidence and write a strong argument for why you should be approved. At the hearing stage, an Administrative Law Judge hears your case in person, and an attorney can cross-examine the vocational informed, present medical evidence, and argue why you cannot work.
If your initial claim was denied and you are considering reconsideration or a hearing, talking to an attorney is worth your time. Many offer free consultations. If you have already been denied once or twice, or if your case involves a complex medical condition or legal issue, an attorney can significantly improve your chances.
What to do if you are unhappy with your current attorney
You have the right to change attorneys at any stage of your case. If you want to switch, you must notify SSA in writing and name your new representative. You can do this by filing a new Form SSA-1696-U4 (Appointment of Representative) with your new attorney's signature, or by submitting a letter to your local Social Security office.
Your old attorney is may have access to to a fee for work they did before you fired them, but only if you eventually win. The fee is split between the old and new attorney based on the work each did. If you believe your old attorney did poor work or violated fee rules, you can file a complaint with SSA's Office of the General Counsel or with the New York State Bar Association.
Before you switch, make sure your new attorney is willing to take your case and understands where it stands. Ask them to review your file and give you an honest assessment of your chances. A second opinion from a different attorney can help you decide whether to stay or switch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hire an attorney who is not on the SSA representative roster?
No. Only attorneys and non-attorney representatives on the SSA roster are authorized to represent you before Social Security. If you hire someone not on the list, they cannot file documents, attend your hearing, or act on your behalf. You can verify authorization at ssa.gov/representation.
Do I have to pay an attorney upfront?
No. Disability attorneys on Long Island work on contingency and take payment only from your back pay if you win. They cannot charge you upfront or while your case is pending. If you do not win, you owe nothing.
What if my attorney is not returning my calls?
Contact the attorney's office in writing and ask for a response within a specific timeframe—usually five to ten business days. If they do not respond, you can file a complaint with SSA's Office of the General Counsel or the New York State Bar Association. You also have the right to fire the attorney and hire someone else.
Can an attorney may provide I will win my case?
No. Any attorney who guarantees approval is breaking federal law and should not be hired. Disability cases depend on your medical evidence, work history, and age. An honest attorney will tell you your chances based on those factors, not promise a win.
How much back pay will I receive if I win?
Back pay is calculated from the date you became disabled (or the date you filed, whichever is later) until the date your claim was approved. The amount depends on your work history and the type of benefit (SSDI or SSI). An attorney can estimate this during your consultation, but only SSA can calculate the exact amount.