What SSDI lawyers do in Bucks County
An SSDI lawyer in Bucks County represents you before the Social Security Administration—either at a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge or during the initial claim process. They do not work for Social Security; they work for you. Their job is to build your medical case, gather the right evidence, write the brief that explains why you meet the disability standard, and argue on your behalf if Social Security denies you.
In Bucks County specifically, you are in the jurisdiction of Social Security's Philadelphia Field Office and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. If your case goes to federal court, your lawyer will file there. Most cases, though, settle or are decided at the hearing stage, which happens in front of a judge who works for Social Security's Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR).
Lawyers in Bucks County handle the same types of cases as lawyers anywhere: initial denials, reconsideration denials, and appeals after a hearing denial. Some also represent people who are already receiving SSDI and face a continuing disability review—a periodic check to see whether you still meet the disability standard.
Key Takeaways
- SSDI lawyers in Bucks County are paid only if you win, and Social Security sets the maximum fee at 25 percent of your back pay, capped at $6,000 (as of 2024).
- You can find lawyers through the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR), the Bucks County Bar Association, or by calling the Social Security office in Philadelphia to ask for referrals.
- A lawyer's job is to gather medical records, obtain statements from your doctors, write your brief, and represent you at a hearing if your case goes that far.
- You do not need a lawyer to file an initial claim, but most people who reach a hearing stage benefit from legal representation because the approval rate jumps significantly with a lawyer present.
- Before you hire anyone, confirm they are authorized to practice before Social Security by checking the Social Security representative payee database or asking for their Social Security representative number.
How SSDI lawyer fees work in Pennsylvania
SSDI lawyers work on contingency, which means they are paid only if you win. Social Security does not pay the lawyer directly; instead, the lawyer takes a portion of your back pay—the money owed to you from the month your disability began until the month Social Security approves you.
The fee is capped by federal law at 25 percent of your back pay or $6,000, whichever is less. As of 2024, that $6,000 cap applies nationwide. If your back pay is $20,000, the lawyer takes 25 percent, which is $5,000. If your back pay is $30,000, the lawyer would take 25 percent ($7,500), but the cap limits them to $6,000. You receive the remainder.
Before the lawyer takes their fee, Social Security also deducts any overpayment you owe (money paid to you in error in a prior case) and any past-due child support or alimony. After those deductions and the lawyer's fee, you get what is left. A lawyer should explain this math to you in writing before you sign a fee agreement.
Some lawyers also charge for costs—copying medical records, obtaining statements from doctors, filing fees. These are separate from the contingency fee and should be spelled out in your fee agreement. Ask whether costs come out of your back pay or whether you pay them upfront.
Where to find SSDI lawyers in Bucks County
The National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR) maintains a searchable directory of lawyers and non-lawyer representatives authorized to practice before Social Security. You can search by state and city on their website. This is the most reliable source because NOSSCR members have met training standards and agree to a code of conduct.
The Bucks County Bar Association also maintains a referral service. Call them and ask for lawyers who practice Social Security disability law. Not all bar associations have specialists listed, but Bucks County's is large enough that they usually do.
You can also call the Social Security office in Philadelphia directly and ask whether they maintain a list of local representatives. They do not endorse anyone, but they can tell you who regularly appears before them and may give you names to contact.
Word of mouth matters too. If you know someone who won an SSDI case, ask who represented them. Local disability advocacy groups in Bucks County sometimes keep lists of lawyers they have seen work effectively. The Bucks County Department of Human Services may also have referrals.
What to ask a lawyer before you hire them
Before you sign anything, ask these questions: How many SSDI cases have you handled? What is your approval rate at the hearing stage? Will you handle my case personally, or will someone else? What is your fee agreement, and what costs might I owe? Can you get my medical records, or do I have to? What happens if I lose at the hearing—will you appeal to federal court?
A lawyer should be able to tell you roughly how long your case will take. Initial claims usually take three to six months if approved quickly, or one to two years if denied and you go to a hearing. Reconsideration and appeals take longer. Ask whether they have handled cases similar to yours—someone with your condition and work history.
Ask whether they are a member of NOSSCR or another professional organization. Ask for references—names of past clients you can contact. A reputable lawyer will give you at least two or three. Ask whether they have ever been disciplined by the state bar or Social Security. You can check this yourself through the Pennsylvania Supreme Court's Disciplinary Board or by asking Social Security directly.
Do not hire someone who guarantees you will win. No one can may provide that. Do not hire someone who asks you to pay upfront before your case is decided. Do not hire someone who is vague about fees or costs. If something feels off, keep looking.
What happens after you hire a lawyer
Once you sign a fee agreement, your lawyer becomes your representative of record. Social Security will send all future mail to your lawyer, not to you. Your lawyer will request your medical records from your doctors and hospitals. They will ask you detailed questions about your work history, your medical conditions, and how your conditions limit what you can do.
Your lawyer will write a brief—a legal document that explains why you meet Social Security's disability standard. This brief cites your medical evidence, describes your functional limitations, and argues that you cannot work. If your case goes to a hearing, your lawyer will question the vocational informed (the witness Social Security brings to testify about job availability) and present your case to the judge.
You should stay in touch with your lawyer and tell them when ready if anything changes—a new diagnosis, a new doctor, a hospitalization, or a return to work. These things affect your case. Your lawyer should also tell you what to expect at each stage and give you a realistic sense of whether your case is strong or weak.
Non-lawyer representatives in Bucks County
You do not have to hire a lawyer. You can also hire a non-lawyer representative—someone trained in Social Security law but not licensed to practice law. These representatives are called "accredited representatives" and must be certified by Social Security. They charge the same contingency fee (25 percent of back pay, capped at $6,000) and can represent you at hearings.
Non-lawyer representatives often cost less to hire because they have lower overhead, and some specialize in disability cases. You can find them through NOSSCR's directory (they list both lawyers and accredited representatives) or by calling local disability advocacy organizations. Ask the same questions you would ask a lawyer: experience, fee structure, and past results.
The main difference is that a non-lawyer representative cannot appeal your case to federal court if you lose at the hearing. If your case might go to federal court, a lawyer is the safer choice. For most cases that settle at the hearing stage, a good non-lawyer representative works just as well.
When you might not need a lawyer
If Social Security approves you on your initial claim, you do not need a lawyer. You can file the claim yourself, and many people do. The approval rate for initial claims is roughly 30 percent, so if you are in that group, you save the fee.
If you are denied and you are thinking about filing a reconsideration (the second level of review), you still do not need a lawyer at that stage. Reconsideration approval rates are very low—around 10 percent—so most people skip it and go straight to requesting a hearing. At the hearing stage, though, the approval rate jumps to 50 to 60 percent with a lawyer present, compared to 30 to 40 percent without one. This is where a lawyer usually makes the biggest difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change lawyers if I am not happy with the one I hired?
Yes. You can fire your lawyer at any time by sending Social Security a written notice. Your old lawyer's fee is limited to the work they actually did on your case. If they did minimal work, they may get little or nothing. Your new lawyer can then take over, and their fee comes from the remaining back pay. Make sure your new fee agreement accounts for what the old lawyer was already paid.
What if I win my case but disagree with the lawyer's fee?
You can object to the fee before Social Security pays it. File a written objection with Social Security's Office of Disability Adjudication and Review within 30 days of the decision. Social Security will review whether the fee is reasonable given the work done. If you and your lawyer cannot agree, a judge can decide. This is rare, but it is your right.
Do I have to hire a lawyer from Bucks County?
No. Your lawyer can be anywhere in the country as long as they are authorized to practice before Social Security. Many lawyers handle cases across multiple states. However, a local lawyer may know the judges and the Philadelphia ODAR office better, which can be an advantage. Ask whether a lawyer you are considering has handled cases in your jurisdiction before.
What if I cannot afford a lawyer's costs upfront?
Most SSDI lawyers do not charge upfront costs. They take their fee from your back pay after you win. If a lawyer asks you to pay costs upfront, ask whether those costs are refundable if you lose, and whether they can be deducted from your back pay instead. Some lawyers will advance costs and deduct them later; others will not. This is negotiable.
How do I know if a representative is really authorized by Social Security?
Ask for their Social Security representative number. You can verify it by calling Social Security's Office of Disability Adjudication and Review in Philadelphia or by checking NOSSCR's directory. Do not hire anyone who cannot or will not give you this number. It is a red flag.