What the Disability Law Center of Alaska does

The Disability Law Center of Alaska (DLC) is a nonprofit law firm that represents people with disabilities in disputes with government agencies and employers. They handle Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cases, including denials, overpayments, and work incentive questions. They also take cases involving housing discrimination, employment rights, and access to public services when disability is involved.

DLC is funded partly by federal grants and partly by private donation, which means their services are free to clients who meet their income limits. They are not a government office—they are a private nonprofit that advocates for disabled people against government agencies when necessary. If you have been denied benefits or disagree with a decision Social Security made, DLC can represent you at a hearing or appeal.

The center serves all of Alaska, though their main office is in Anchorage. They handle cases statewide and can work with you by phone, mail, or video call if you live in a rural area or cannot travel to the office.

Key Takeaways

  • The Disability Law Center of Alaska represents people with disabilities in SSDI and SSI disputes, housing discrimination cases, and employment rights matters at no cost if you meet income limits.
  • You can contact them by phone at (907) 344-1002 or through their website at dlcak.org to ask whether they can take your case.
  • They handle appeals, reconsideration requests, and hearings before an administrative law judge, and can also advise you on work incentives and how earnings affect your benefits.
  • DLC serves all of Alaska and can work with you remotely if you cannot reach their Anchorage office in person.
  • They have limited staff, so intake may take several weeks; calling early in the process gives you the best chance of representation.

How to contact DLC and what to expect

Call the main office at (907) 344-1002 during business hours to speak with an intake worker. They will ask you about your case—what decision you received, when you received it, and what you disagree with. Be ready to describe your disability and any medical evidence you have. If you cannot reach them by phone, you can also mail a letter to their Anchorage address or fill out an intake form on their website at dlcak.org.

The intake process usually takes one to three weeks. DLC receives many requests and has a small staff, so they cannot take every case. They prioritize cases where they believe they can win and where the person has the greatest need. If they cannot represent you, they will try to refer you to another lawyer or legal aid program.

If DLC agrees to represent you, you will not pay them anything. They will handle the paperwork, attend hearings with you, and present your case to the judge or appeals council. You should still gather your own medical records and keep DLC updated if anything changes in your health or your case.

What cases DLC handles and what they do not

DLC represents people in SSDI and SSI denials, including initial denials, reconsideration denials, and cases that go to a hearing before an administrative law judge. They also handle overpayment disputes—if Social Security says you were paid too much and wants the money back, DLC can challenge that decision or negotiate a repayment plan. They advise on work incentives like the Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) and Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE), which can help you work while keeping some benefits.

DLC also takes cases involving housing discrimination based on disability, employment discrimination, and denial of access to public services. If a landlord refuses to rent to you because of your disability, or an employer fires you for a disability-related reason, DLC may be able to help.

DLC does not handle criminal defense, family law, immigration, or workers' compensation cases. They also do not represent people in disputes with private insurance companies, though they may advise you on how private insurance interacts with your SSDI or SSI. If your case falls outside their practice areas, they will refer you to someone who handles it.

What documents to gather before you call

Before you contact DLC, collect the following if you have them: the denial letter or other decision from Social Security, any medical records or test results you have, a list of doctors who have treated you, and dates of any appointments or hospitalizations. If you are appealing a denial, you will also need the date you received the decision—Social Security gives you 60 days to ask for reconsideration or file an appeal, so timing matters.

If you have already filed an appeal or reconsideration request, bring the receipt or confirmation number. If you are in the middle of a hearing, bring any documents the judge's office sent you. DLC can work with incomplete information, but the more you have ready, the faster they can decide whether to take your case.

You do not need to have all of this before you call—you can call first and ask what else they need. But having it ready speeds up the intake process and shows DLC that you are organized and serious about your case.

Income limits and how DLC decides who they can represent

DLC serves people with disabilities regardless of income, but they do have limited resources. They prioritize cases where they believe the person has a strong legal claim and where winning would make a real difference—for example, a case where someone was clearly disabled but the judge made an error, or where an overpayment decision was wrong. They also consider how urgent the case is: if you are about to lose housing or have an upcoming hearing, that moves you higher in the queue.

If you have already hired a private lawyer, DLC usually will not take your case. If you cannot afford a lawyer and DLC cannot represent you, ask them for a referral to a law school clinic, a legal aid program, or a lawyer who works on contingency (meaning they take a percentage of your back pay if you win).

What happens if DLC represents you at a hearing

If DLC agrees to represent you, they will prepare your case for a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). This means they will review your medical records, organize your evidence, and write a brief explaining why you should win. They will also prepare you for the hearing—what questions the judge might ask, how to describe your limitations, and what to expect in the hearing room.

At the hearing, your DLC lawyer will present your case, question any witnesses (such as a vocational informed), and cross-examine the government's witnesses. You will also have a chance to testify about your disability and how it affects your ability to work. After the hearing, the judge will issue a written decision, usually within a few weeks to a few months.

If you win, you will receive back pay (benefits owed from the date you became disabled) and your case will be closed. If you lose, DLC can appeal to the Appeals Council in Falls Church, Virginia, and if necessary, to federal court. Not every case wins, but DLC will be honest with you about your chances before they take it on.

Other resources if DLC cannot help you

If DLC cannot represent you, ask them for a referral. Alaska also has a Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) program, which is separate from DLC and may be able to help with certain issues. You can also contact the Alaska Legal Services Corporation, which provides free legal help to low-income people in civil matters.

If you need a private lawyer, you can search the Alaska Bar Association's lawyer referral service or ask DLC whether they know of lawyers who take SSDI cases on contingency. Many lawyers will take your case for free if you win, because they can collect a fee from your back pay (up to 25 percent, set by Social Security).

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take DLC to decide whether they will represent me?

Intake usually takes one to three weeks. If DLC needs more information from you, they will call or mail you. If they decide to represent you, they will send you a representation agreement to sign. If they cannot take your case, they will tell you why and refer you to another resource.

Can DLC help me if I have already been denied twice?

Yes. If you have been denied at reconsideration, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge, and DLC can represent you at that hearing. This is often your best chance to win, because a judge will review your case fresh and you can present live testimony and evidence.

Will DLC charge me if I win my case?

No. DLC is a nonprofit and does not charge clients. If you hire a private lawyer instead, they may take a fee from your back pay, but DLC will not.

Can DLC help me understand how work will affect my benefits?

Yes. DLC can advise you on work incentives like PASS and IRWE, which let you work and earn money while keeping some or all of your benefits. They can also explain how the trial work period and extended may be able to access period work, and help you report your earnings correctly to Social Security.

What if I live in a village and cannot travel to Anchorage?

DLC can work with you by phone, mail, or video call. You do not need to come to the office in person. If your case goes to a hearing, the judge may allow you to testify by phone or video instead of traveling to Anchorage.