Disability Law Center Inc is a Boston-based nonprofit that provides legal help to people with disabilities
Disability Law Center Inc (DLC) is a legal advocacy organization based in Boston that serves people with disabilities across Massachusetts. They offer free or low-cost legal representation and information on disability-related matters, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) cases, housing discrimination, employment rights, and benefits disputes. Unlike a private law firm, DLC is a nonprofit funded by grants and donations, which means they can take cases that might not be profitable but matter deeply to the people involved.
The organization operates as part of a national network of disability rights organizations called Protection & Advocacy (P&A) systems. This network exists in every state and territory, funded partly by federal law to may support people with disabilities have access to legal help regardless of income. DLC's role is to represent your interests when you face barriers because of your disability—whether that barrier is a government agency, an employer, a landlord, or a benefits program.
If you are pursuing SSDI and need a lawyer, DLC can help you understand your options. They can also help if you have been denied benefits and need to appeal, or if you believe you have been treated unfairly because of your disability in other areas of life.
Key Takeaways
- Disability Law Center Inc provides free or low-cost legal help to people with disabilities in Massachusetts, including SSDI representation and appeals.
- They are a nonprofit organization funded by grants, not a government agency, so they operate independently from Social Security or other benefit programs.
- You can contact them by phone, email, or through their website to discuss your situation and learn whether they can take your case.
- DLC handles cases involving disability discrimination, benefits denials, housing rights, and employment disputes in addition to SSDI matters.
- Because they are a nonprofit with limited staff, they prioritize cases based on need and may have a waitlist or may refer you to other resources if they cannot take your case.
How to contact Disability Law Center Inc
Disability Law Center Inc is located in Boston and can be reached through multiple channels. The most direct way is to call their main office or visit their website to find current contact information, hours, and intake procedures. When you call, be prepared to briefly describe your situation so they can determine whether your case falls within their scope of work.
You can also reach out by email or mail if you prefer not to call. Many people find it helpful to write down the key facts before contacting them—when your benefits were denied, what the denial letter said, what you believe went wrong, or what discrimination you experienced. Having this information ready makes the intake process faster.
DLC also maintains a website with information about their services, past cases they have handled, and resources for people with disabilities. The website often includes updates about changes to disability law or benefits programs that may affect you.
What types of cases DLC handles
Disability Law Center Inc takes cases across several areas of disability law. For SSDI specifically, they can represent you in appeals if your claim was denied, help you understand the appeals process, and advocate for you at hearings before an administrative law judge. They also handle cases involving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is a separate program for people with low income and disabilities.
Beyond Social Security, DLC represents people facing discrimination in housing, employment, education, and access to public services. For example, they might help if you were denied housing because of your disability, fired from a job because of a disability, or denied access to a public program. They also handle cases involving abuse or neglect of people with disabilities in institutional settings.
DLC can also provide legal information and representation on guardianship matters, healthcare decisions, and benefits planning. If you are unsure whether your issue falls within their work, contact them and describe what happened—they can tell you whether they can help or refer you to someone who can.
When DLC might not be able to take your case
Because Disability Law Center Inc is a nonprofit with a limited budget and staff, they cannot take every case that comes to them. They prioritize cases based on factors like the severity of the situation, whether the outcome would affect other people with disabilities, and their current caseload. If your case does not fit their priorities or they are at capacity, they will usually refer you to other resources.
For example, if you need a lawyer for an SSDI appeal but DLC cannot take your case, they may refer you to a private disability attorney who works on contingency (meaning they take payment only if you win). They may also point you toward legal aid organizations in your area, law school clinics, or other nonprofits that handle disability cases.
It is also worth knowing that DLC cannot help with every type of legal problem. They focus on disability-related issues, so they would not represent you in a divorce, criminal case, or general contract dispute unless disability discrimination is involved.
How DLC differs from a private disability lawyer
A private disability attorney and Disability Law Center Inc serve different roles, though both can help with SSDI cases. A private lawyer typically works on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of your back pay if you win (usually 25 percent, capped by federal law). You pay nothing upfront, but you do pay if you succeed. Private lawyers often have more flexibility to take cases quickly and may have shorter wait times.
DLC, as a nonprofit, does not take a percentage of your winnings. Instead, they are funded by grants and donations. This means they can take cases that might not result in large back-pay awards but still matter—for example, a case about discrimination or a benefits issue affecting a small group of people. However, DLC may have a longer wait to take your case because they serve many people with limited resources.
Both types of representation are legitimate. The choice between them often depends on your situation, how urgently you need help, and whether DLC has capacity to take your case. If DLC cannot help, asking them for a referral to a private attorney is a reasonable next step.
What to expect if DLC takes your case
If Disability Law Center Inc agrees to represent you, they will explain what happens next. For an SSDI appeal, this typically means they will review your file, gather medical records and other evidence, prepare written arguments, and represent you at a hearing before an administrative law judge if needed. They will keep you informed about progress and what you need to do on your end.
DLC will not charge you a fee for their representation. You are not responsible for paying them out of any back pay you receive. This is one of the key differences from private representation and one reason people often seek them out first.
The timeline for your case depends on the type of issue and the current court or agency backlog. SSDI appeals can take months or even years to resolve, depending on the stage of appeal and how busy the hearing office is. DLC will give you a realistic sense of timing when they take your case.
Other resources if DLC cannot help
If Disability Law Center Inc cannot take your case, several other paths are worth exploring. The Social Security Administration maintains a list of approved representatives—both attorneys and non-attorney advocates—who can help with SSDI cases. Many of these representatives work on contingency and can be found through the SSA website or by calling your local Social Security office.
Your state bar association may also have a referral service that can connect you with disability lawyers in your area. Legal aid organizations in Massachusetts serve people with low income and may take cases that DLC cannot. You can find your local legal aid office through the Legal Services Corporation website.
If your issue involves discrimination rather than benefits, organizations like the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) or the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) can investigate complaints and sometimes provide representation or referrals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a lawyer to appeal my SSDI denial?
No, you can appeal on your own. However, having a lawyer or advocate significantly increases your chances of winning, especially at the hearing stage. Studies show that people represented by lawyers win their appeals at much higher rates than those who represent themselves. DLC or a private disability attorney can explain your options.
How long does it take DLC to respond after I contact them?
Response time varies depending on how busy they are. Some organizations respond within days; others may take weeks. If you do not hear back within two weeks, it is reasonable to follow up with a phone call. If they cannot take your case, they should let you know and provide referrals.
Will DLC represent me if I have already been denied once?
Yes. DLC handles appeals at all levels—reconsideration, hearing before an administrative law judge, and appeals council review. The stage you are at does not disqualify you from their help. In fact, cases at the hearing stage are common for disability lawyers.
What if I live outside Boston but still in Massachusetts?
Disability Law Center Inc serves people throughout Massachusetts, not just Boston. You can still contact them even if you live in western Massachusetts, Cape Cod, or another part of the state. They may handle your case remotely or refer you to a local resource if that makes more sense.
Can DLC help me with other benefits besides SSDI?
Yes. DLC handles cases involving SSI, Medicaid, housing vouchers, and other benefits programs. They also help with non-benefits issues like employment discrimination and housing rights. When you contact them, describe your situation and they will tell you whether it is something they can address.