What an SSDI lawyer in Encino can do for you
An SSDI lawyer in Encino represents you in front of the Social Security Administration—either at a hearing before an administrative law judge, during the reconsideration stage, or sometimes during the initial claim phase. They charge a fee only if you win, and that fee is capped by federal law at 25 percent of your back pay (the money owed from when your disability began), up to a maximum of $7,200 as of 2024. You do not pay anything upfront.
Encino lawyers handle the same SSDI cases as lawyers anywhere else in California. The difference is location: you may prefer to meet in person, have a local office you can visit, or work with someone who knows the specific judges and hearing offices in the Los Angeles area. The legal work itself—gathering medical records, writing the brief, cross-examining witnesses at the hearing—is the same whether your lawyer is in Encino or across the state.
Most people hire a lawyer only after Social Security has already denied their claim once. At that point, you have 60 days to request reconsideration or file an appeal to a hearing. A lawyer's job is to build a stronger case than you submitted the first time, usually by obtaining updated medical evidence and explaining why your condition meets the Social Security definition of disability.
Key Takeaways
- SSDI lawyers in Encino charge a fee only if you win, capped at 25 percent of back pay up to $7,200, with no upfront cost to you.
- You can hire a lawyer at any stage—initial claim, reconsideration, or hearing—but most people do so after a denial.
- Social Security must approve any fee agreement before the lawyer can charge you, and you can request a fee reduction if you believe the amount is unreasonable.
- Encino lawyers are bound by the same rules and fee caps as SSDI lawyers everywhere in California, so location does not change what you pay or how the process works.
- You can find SSDI lawyers through the Social Security Administration's official referral list, the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives, or by searching your local bar association.
How to find an SSDI lawyer in Encino
The Social Security Administration maintains an official list of attorneys and non-attorney representatives authorized to practice before it. You can search this list at ssa.gov/representation by entering your zip code or city. This list includes Encino lawyers and shows their contact information, whether they are an attorney or a non-attorney representative, and their fee agreement status. Every lawyer on this list has been vetted by Social Security and is authorized to charge a fee.
The National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR) also maintains a directory of member attorneys and representatives. You can search by location at nosscr.org. NOSSCR members are specialists in SSDI and SSI law and often have deeper experience than general disability lawyers. Membership is voluntary, so not all may have access to lawyers belong, but those who do have committed to the organization's standards.
You can also contact the State Bar of California at calbar.ca.gov and search for disability law specialists in the Encino area. The bar does not recommend specific lawyers, but it does verify that a lawyer is licensed and in good standing. You can also check whether any complaints have been filed against them.
Ask for referrals from your doctor, local disability advocacy groups, or other people who have gone through the SSDI process. Personal recommendations often lead to lawyers who understand your specific condition and have a track record in your area.
What to expect when you hire an Encino SSDI lawyer
Before a lawyer can represent you, you must sign a fee agreement that states the lawyer's fee (usually 25 percent of back pay, up to the $7,200 cap) and what services they will provide. This agreement must be submitted to Social Security for approval. Social Security will review it to make sure the fee is reasonable and the services are clearly described. Approval usually takes two to four weeks.
Once approved, the lawyer becomes your official representative on your case. Social Security will send all notices and decisions to the lawyer's office, not to you directly (though the lawyer should forward them to you as well). The lawyer will request your medical records from your doctors and hospitals, review them, and determine what additional evidence you need. They may send you to a consultative examination—a doctor paid by Social Security to examine you—or they may argue that your existing records are sufficient.
If your case goes to a hearing, the lawyer will prepare you for testimony, write a brief explaining why you meet the disability criteria, and represent you in front of the administrative law judge. The hearing usually takes place in Los Angeles, either in person or by video. Your lawyer will attend in person or by phone and will cross-examine the vocational informed or medical informed that Social Security brings to the hearing.
Throughout the process, your lawyer should keep you informed of important date, what documents they need from you, and what the next step is. If you do not hear from them for several weeks, it is reasonable to call and ask for an update.
Fee agreements and what you actually pay
The fee cap of 25 percent of back pay up to $7,200 is set by federal law and applies to all SSDI lawyers nationwide. This means if you win and receive $20,000 in back pay, your lawyer's fee is $5,000 (25 percent). If you receive $30,000 in back pay, the fee is still $7,200 (the cap), not $7,500. You never pay this fee out of your own pocket—Social Security deducts it from your back pay and sends it directly to the lawyer.
You are responsible for case costs separate from the lawyer's fee. These are expenses like obtaining medical records, paying for a consultative examination if Social Security orders one, or filing fees for appeals. Costs are usually small (under $500 total), but the fee agreement should specify who pays them and when. Some lawyers advance costs and deduct them from your back pay along with their fee. Others ask you to pay costs as they occur. Clarify this before you sign.
If you believe the fee is unreasonable, you can request a fee reduction from Social Security. Submit a written request to the hearing office or appeals council explaining why you think the fee is too high. Social Security will review the request and may reduce the fee if it finds the lawyer did minimal work or if the case was straightforward.
When to hire a lawyer versus handling your case alone
You do not need a lawyer to file an initial SSDI claim. Many people file on their own and receive approval without representation. However, if Social Security denies your claim, hiring a lawyer at the reconsideration or hearing stage significantly increases your chances of winning on appeal. Studies show that claimants with lawyers win their hearings at much higher rates than those without representation.
Hire a lawyer if your initial claim was denied and you plan to appeal. Also hire one if your condition is complex (multiple diagnoses, inconsistent medical records, or a history of work-related injury), if you have already appealed once and lost, or if you are unsure how to present your medical evidence to Social Security. A lawyer can identify gaps in your medical record and explain your condition in the language Social Security uses to make decisions.
You can hire a lawyer at any point in the process, even if you filed your initial claim years ago. If you have already received a denial and are within 60 days of the decision, a lawyer can file an appeal on your behalf. If you are past 60 days, a lawyer can file a request to reopen your case, though this is harder to win.
Red flags when choosing an Encino SSDI lawyer
Do not hire a lawyer who asks for payment upfront or promises a specific outcome. SSDI lawyers are paid only from your back pay if you win, and no lawyer can may provide you will win. If someone tells you they can, they are not following the rules.
Avoid lawyers who do not explain the fee agreement clearly or who seem unwilling to answer your questions about costs. A good lawyer will walk you through the fee agreement, explain what Social Security will deduct, and tell you what case costs you might owe. They will also explain the timeline—how long the process usually takes and when you might expect a decision.
Check whether the lawyer is listed on the Social Security Administration's official representative list. If they are not, they cannot legally charge a fee for SSDI representation. Also verify they are licensed to practice law in California. You can do this on the State Bar of California website.
Be cautious of lawyers who pressure you to sign quickly or who do not provide a written fee agreement. Take time to read the agreement, ask questions, and compare fees and services with other lawyers before you decide.
Working with a non-attorney representative instead of a lawyer
You do not have to hire a lawyer. You can also hire a non-attorney representative—someone who is not a lawyer but is authorized by Social Security to represent claimants. Non-attorney representatives are often called advocates, paralegals, or accredited representatives. They charge the same fee cap as lawyers (25 percent of back pay up to $7,200) and follow the same rules.
Non-attorney representatives are often less expensive than lawyers in terms of hourly rates for consultations, though the fee cap means you pay the same amount if you win. They may have deep experience with SSDI cases and strong relationships with local hearing offices. Some claimants prefer working with a non-attorney representative because they feel more accessible or less formal than a lawyer.
To find a non-attorney representative in Encino, search the Social Security Administration's representative list and filter for non-attorneys. You can also contact NOSSCR, which includes non-attorney representatives in its directory. Verify that anyone you hire is on the official Social Security list and has an approved fee agreement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hire an Encino lawyer if I live somewhere else?
Yes. Your lawyer does not have to be in your city or even your state. Many SSDI lawyers work with clients across California or nationwide by phone and email. If you prefer to meet in person, an Encino lawyer makes sense. If you are comfortable with remote communication, you can hire a lawyer anywhere.
What happens if I disagree with my lawyer's strategy?
You can fire your lawyer at any time and hire a different one. You must notify Social Security in writing and submit a new fee agreement with the new lawyer. If your case is at a hearing, you can request a continuance (delay) to give the new lawyer time to prepare. Social Security will approve this request in most cases.
Do I need a lawyer if Social Security approved my initial claim?
No. If you were approved, you do not need a lawyer unless Social Security later reviews your case and proposes to stop your benefits. At that point, you can hire a lawyer to represent you at the continuing disability review hearing.
How long does it take to get paid after I win?
After the judge approves your case, Social Security processes the decision and calculates your back pay. This usually takes two to four months. Once the decision is final, Social Security deducts your lawyer's fee and any case costs, then sends you the remaining back pay in a lump sum. Your ongoing monthly benefit begins the month after the judge's decision.
Can I change my fee agreement after I sign it?
You can request a fee reduction from Social Security if you believe the agreed fee is unreasonable. You cannot increase the fee. If you want to change lawyers, you can hire a new one and submit a new fee agreement, but you will still owe the original lawyer's fee for the work they did on your case.