Troutman and Troutman is a law firm that represents Social Security Disability Insurance claimants, but they do not extend SSDI cases themselves

Troutman and Troutman cannot make your SSDI case last longer or delay a decision. What they do is represent you in front of the Social Security Administration if your claim is denied and you want to appeal. A lawyer cannot pause your case or ask Social Security to hold off on a ruling. Only Social Security decides when your case moves forward and when a decision comes down.

If you are worried that budget cuts or policy changes might affect your case timeline, a lawyer's job is to make sure your appeal is as strong as possible when you file it — not to buy you time. The firm handles the paperwork, gathers medical evidence, and argues your case at a hearing if it gets that far.

Key Takeaways

  • Troutman and Troutman represents people whose SSDI claims have been denied, helping them appeal to Social Security.
  • A lawyer cannot extend your case or slow down Social Security's decision-making process.
  • The firm's role is to strengthen your appeal by organizing evidence and presenting your case at a hearing.
  • You pay the lawyer only if you win, and Social Security caps what they can charge at 25 percent of your back pay.

What a Disability Lawyer Actually Does in Your Case

When Social Security denies your claim, you have the right to appeal. Troutman and Troutman helps at the appeal stage, not before. They review the denial letter, request your full case file from Social Security, and identify what went wrong in the first decision.

The firm gathers additional medical records, orders new evaluations if needed, and prepares a written brief explaining why Social Security should reverse the denial. If your case goes to a hearing in front of an administrative law judge, the lawyer represents you there, asks questions, and makes arguments on your behalf.

None of this slows down the process. Social Security sets the timeline for appeals. The firm works within that timeline to make your case as strong as possible.

How Social Security Sets Your Case Timeline, Not Your Lawyer

Social Security controls when your case moves forward. After you file an appeal, Social Security sends it to the Appeals Council or schedules a hearing with an administrative law judge. The wait time depends on how busy the local hearing office is, not on your lawyer.

A lawyer cannot ask Social Security to delay your case or extend important date for their own benefit. They can request more time to gather evidence or prepare for a hearing, but Social Security approves or denies those requests. The firm cannot make your case take longer.

What You Pay a Disability Lawyer and When

Troutman and Troutman, like most disability law firms, works on what is called a contingency fee. You do not pay anything upfront. The firm only gets paid if you win your case and receive back pay — the money Social Security owes you from the date you became disabled until the date you were approved.

Social Security limits what a lawyer can charge to 25 percent of your back pay, with a cap of $7,200 (as of 2024, though this amount can change). The firm also covers costs like ordering medical records or informed reports, and they recover those costs from your back pay if you win.

If you lose your appeal, you owe the firm nothing.

When You Might Need a Lawyer Versus Handling an Appeal Alone

You do not have to hire a lawyer to appeal a denied SSDI claim. You can represent yourself at every stage. Many people do, and some win without legal help.

A lawyer becomes useful when your case is complex — for example, if your medical records are scattered across multiple providers, if Social Security's reasoning in the denial is hard to understand, or if you have a condition that is difficult to document. A lawyer also helps if you are anxious about speaking in front of a judge or if you have already appealed once and lost.

If your case is straightforward and you have clear medical evidence, you may not need a lawyer. If you are unsure, you can have a free consultation with a disability lawyer to discuss whether representation would help.

How Budget Cuts Affect Your Case Timeline, and What a Lawyer Cannot Change

Social Security's budget and staffing levels do affect how long appeals take. When the agency is understaffed or underfunded, hearing offices have longer wait times. Some people wait a year or more for a hearing after they file an appeal.

A lawyer cannot fix this. They cannot ask Social Security to move your case to the front of the line or speed up the process. What they can do is make sure that when your case is finally heard, it is as strong as possible. They also know the local hearing office and the judges who work there, which can help them prepare you for what to expect.

If you are concerned about delays, the best strategy is to file your appeal as soon as you receive the denial letter. The sooner you file, the sooner you enter the queue, even if the queue is long.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a lawyer make Social Security decide my case faster?

No. Social Security controls the timeline for all appeals, regardless of whether you have a lawyer. A lawyer cannot request priority treatment or ask the agency to skip ahead of other cases. They can only make sure your case is as strong as possible when it is heard.

What happens if I hire Troutman and Troutman and then lose my appeal?

You pay nothing. Because they work on contingency, you only owe a fee if you win. If the appeal is denied, the firm absorbs the cost of their work and any expenses they paid for your case.

Can I switch lawyers if I am already working with someone else?

Yes. You can fire your current lawyer and hire a different one at any point in your appeal. You will need to notify Social Security in writing and provide a new fee agreement with the new firm. The old firm may have a claim against your back pay for work they already did, which Social Security will sort out.

Do I need a lawyer to appeal my SSDI denial?

No. You have the right to represent yourself at every stage of the appeal process. Many people win without a lawyer. You may want one if your case is complex, your medical records are hard to organize, or you feel uncomfortable speaking in front of a judge.

How long does an appeal usually take?

It varies widely depending on your local hearing office. Some offices schedule hearings within six months; others take a year or longer. A lawyer cannot speed this up, but they can tell you what the typical wait is in your area based on their experience.