Morgan & Morgan's Role in Disability Cases
Morgan & Morgan is a law firm that represents people in Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cases. They work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing upfront and they take a percentage of your back pay if you win — typically 25 percent of the back pay amount, capped at $6,000 under federal law. The firm operates in multiple states and handles cases at the initial process stage, reconsideration appeals, and hearings before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).
The firm's disability practice focuses on cases where people have been denied benefits or where the initial process stalled. They do not handle the Social Security Administration's (SSA) paperwork for you — you still file your own claim with SSA — but they manage the legal strategy, gather medical evidence, prepare you for hearings, and represent you in front of a judge if needed.
Key Takeaways
- Morgan & Morgan charges no upfront fee and takes payment only from back pay you receive, capped at $6,000 under federal law.
- The firm handles appeals and hearings but does not file your initial SSDI or SSI claim with Social Security — you do that yourself.
- You can hire Morgan & Morgan at any stage: after an initial denial, during reconsideration, or before an ALJ hearing.
- The firm must be authorized by Social Security as a representative before they can act on your case, which requires a signed form and SSA approval.
- Other disability law firms and non-attorney representatives charge similar contingency fees and may be available in your state.
How the Contingency Fee Works
A contingency fee means Morgan & Morgan is paid only if you win your case and receive back pay. The amount they take is 25 percent of your back pay or $6,000, whichever is less. Back pay is the money Social Security owes you from the date you became disabled (your "onset date") back to when your benefits finally started. If you win a case with $20,000 in back pay, the firm takes $5,000. If back pay totals $30,000, they take $6,000 (the cap).
You pay nothing out of pocket during the case. If you lose, you owe the firm nothing. This structure means the firm only makes money when you do, so their incentive is to build the strongest case possible. However, you should understand that the fee comes from your money — it reduces what you receive in back pay, though you still keep the ongoing monthly benefit itself.
Some people hire Morgan & Morgan and later decide to switch firms or represent themselves. If you do, you may owe the first firm a fee for work they completed, depending on your state's rules and your contract with them. Read any fee agreement carefully before signing.
When You Can Hire Morgan & Morgan
You can contact Morgan & Morgan at any point in the SSDI or SSI process. Many people hire them after Social Security denies their initial claim, because that is when most people realize they need legal help. Others wait until after reconsideration (the first appeal level) is also denied. Some hire a lawyer only when they receive a hearing notice from an ALJ, because that is when the case becomes more formal and a lawyer's presence matters most.
The earlier you hire a lawyer, the more time they have to gather medical records, develop your case, and prepare you for what comes next. Hiring someone right after an initial denial gives them months to work before a hearing date. Hiring someone a week before a hearing is possible but leaves less room for preparation.
You do not have to hire Morgan & Morgan specifically. You can hire any lawyer authorized to represent you before Social Security, including solo practitioners, smaller firms, or other large firms. The choice depends on which firm you trust, whether they have experience with your condition, and whether they are available in your state.
How to Authorize Morgan & Morgan as Your Representative
Before Morgan & Morgan can represent you, you must sign a form called the Form SSA-1696-U4 (Appointment of Representative). This form tells Social Security that you are giving the firm permission to act on your behalf, receive your case file, and represent you at hearings. You can sign this form in person at a Morgan & Morgan office, by mail, or sometimes electronically, depending on the firm's procedures.
Once you sign, Morgan & Morgan must submit the form to Social Security. SSA reviews it and sends you a letter confirming that the firm is now your authorized representative. Until that letter arrives, the firm cannot officially act on your case, though they can discuss your situation with you and begin gathering information. The approval process usually takes one to two weeks.
You can revoke this authorization at any time by signing a new form or sending Social Security a written request. If you do, the firm's representation ends, though you may still owe them a fee for work completed up to that point.
What Morgan & Morgan Will and Will Not Do
Morgan & Morgan will request your medical records from your doctors, hospitals, and mental health providers. They will review those records and identify which ones support your claim that you cannot work. They will prepare you for your hearing, explain what to expect, and represent you in front of the ALJ. They may also hire a medical informed or vocational informed to testify on your behalf if your case needs that kind of evidence.
Morgan & Morgan will not file your initial SSDI or SSI claim with Social Security. You must do that yourself, either online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. The firm steps in after you have filed and your claim has been denied or is moving through the appeal process. They also will not may provide any outcome — no lawyer can promise you will win, because the decision belongs to Social Security or the ALJ, not to your representative.
Comparing Morgan & Morgan to Other Representatives
Morgan & Morgan is one of many law firms and non-attorney representatives who handle SSDI and SSI cases. Other large firms include Binder & Binder, The Disability Advocates Group, and Allsup. Many states also have smaller local firms and solo practitioners who specialize in disability law. Non-attorney representatives, called "non-lawyer representatives" or "accredited representatives," can also represent you and often charge the same contingency fee.
| Type of Representative | Fee Structure | Availability | When to Consider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large national law firm (e.g., Morgan & Morgan) | Contingency: 25% of back pay, capped at $6,000 | Multiple states, may have local offices | You want a firm with established procedures and multiple staff members |
| Local disability law firm | Contingency: 25% of back pay, capped at $6,000 | Usually one state or region | You want someone familiar with your local ALJ and Social Security office |
| Non-attorney representative | Contingency: 25% of back pay, capped at $6,000 | Varies; some work nationally, some locally | You want lower-cost representation; non-attorneys are often less expensive upfront |
| Solo practitioner attorney | Contingency: 25% of back pay, capped at $6,000 | Usually one state or city | You want personalized attention and a direct relationship with your lawyer |
The federal fee cap of $6,000 applies to all representatives, so cost is not the main difference. The difference is usually in how much personal attention you receive, how quickly they respond to your calls, and how much experience they have with cases like yours. Some people prefer a large firm because they have resources and staff. Others prefer a smaller firm or solo practitioner because they get to know their lawyer personally.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring Morgan & Morgan
Before you sign a fee agreement with any firm, ask these questions: How long have you handled SSDI and SSI cases? What percentage of your cases go to hearing, and what percentage of those hearings do you win? Will I work with the same person throughout my case, or will my file be passed to different staff members? How often will you contact me with updates? Do you charge any fees other than the contingency fee — for example, for copying records or informed witnesses? What happens if I want to switch to a different representative?
You should also ask whether the firm has experience with your specific condition or type of disability. A firm that regularly handles cases involving back injuries may be more familiar with the medical evidence and informed witnesses needed for that condition than a firm that takes all types of cases equally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hire Morgan & Morgan if I already filed my SSDI claim myself?
Yes. You can hire Morgan & Morgan after you have filed your own claim with Social Security, at any stage of the process. Most people hire a lawyer after their initial claim is denied, but you can also hire one during reconsideration or right before a hearing.
What if Morgan & Morgan takes my case but I lose at the hearing?
If you lose, you owe Morgan & Morgan nothing. They are paid only from back pay you receive. You can then decide whether to appeal further (to the Appeals Council, then federal court) and whether to hire the same firm again or a different representative.
How long does it take Morgan & Morgan to get me approved?
The timeline depends on the stage of your case and the ALJ's schedule, not on the firm. Initial claims take three to six months. Reconsideration takes three to six months. Hearings can take six months to two years from the time you request one. Morgan & Morgan cannot speed up Social Security's process, but they can prepare your case so it is as strong as possible when it reaches a judge.
Do I have to use Morgan & Morgan, or can I represent myself?
You can represent yourself throughout the entire SSDI and SSI process. Many people do. However, at the hearing stage, having a lawyer or representative who knows how to present evidence and cross-examine witnesses significantly increases the chances of approval. You do not have to decide now — you can represent yourself initially and hire a lawyer later if your claim is denied.
What if I cannot find Morgan & Morgan in my state?
Morgan & Morgan does not operate in every state. If they are not available where you live, search for other disability law firms or non-attorney representatives in your state. Your state bar association's website usually has a lawyer referral service. You can also call your local Legal Aid office, which may have recommendations even if they cannot represent you directly.