Part of our practice-area guides. Disability applicants often come to AI after a denial letter, and they want to know whether to appeal, how long they have, and what a lawyer will cost.
The questions disability clients ask
- Why was my disability claim denied?
- How long do I have to appeal?
- What is the difference between SSDI and SSI?
- How much does a disability lawyer cost?
- Do I need a lawyer for a hearing?
- Can I work while my claim is pending?
We cover these in more depth in what disability applicants ask AI about SSDI.
Federal rules, local handling
The deadlines come from SSA's regulations, not the state. Under 20 CFR 404.909(a)(1), a request for reconsideration must be filed within 60 days after the claimant receives notice of the initial determination, unless SSA extends the time. Fees are federal too. Under 20 CFR 404.1720(b), a representative must file a written request with SSA before charging or receiving a fee, and must not charge or receive any fee unless SSA has authorized it. For fee agreements, 42 U.S.C. 406(a)(2)(A) sets the limit at the lesser of 25 percent of past-due benefits or a dollar amount that the Commissioner may raise and must publish in the Federal Register.
The local layer is who decides. Under 20 CFR 404.1503(a), state agencies make disability and blindness determinations for the Commissioner for most people living in the state. A page that names the agency in your state, describes the office that holds hearings for your clients, and links to SSA's own pages for the rules is more useful than one that repeats the national basics. The North Carolina guide shows how state advertising rules still apply to a federal practice.
Pages we build for disability firms
- Appeal pages for each level, with the 60-day clock stated and the regulation cited
- Fee pages that explain SSA's authorization rules in plain terms
- SSDI and SSI comparisons written for applicants, with links to SSA's own pages
- Condition pages for the impairments your clients most often have
- Local process pages that name the state agency and the hearing office you appear before
Each page follows the answer-first structure described in AI SEO for lawyers, so the deadline and the fee rule can be quoted alone.
Advertising care points
Federal law limits how a firm can use the agency's name. Under 42 U.S.C. 1320b-10(a)(1), no person may use words such as "Social Security" or "Social Security Administration" in an advertisement or solicitation in a manner that conveys the false impression that it is approved, endorsed, or authorized by SSA. Pages should say plainly that the firm is a private law firm and not part of the government.
Avoid approval promises. North Carolina Rule 7.1 treats a statement likely to create an unjustified expectation about results as misleading, and win rates quoted alone in an AI answer can read like a forecast. Many disability clients also have workplace injury or long-term care questions; link your workers' compensation pages and your elder law pages where your firm takes those matters.
Common questions
Should a disability page state the fee cap?
Explain the rule: fees need SSA authorization, and fee agreements are limited by statute to the lesser of 25 percent of past-due benefits or a published dollar amount. Link to SSA for the current figure rather than copying it.
Can a disability firm use Social Security in its page titles?
Yes, to describe the practice, as long as nothing suggests SSA approves or endorses the firm. Say on the page that the firm is not affiliated with the government.
Keep reading
Sources
- 20 CFR 404.909, How to request reconsideration (eCFR, current) (linked above)
- 20 CFR 404.1720, Fee for a representative's services (eCFR, current)
- 20 CFR 404.1705, Who may be your representative (eCFR, current)
- 20 CFR 404.1503, Who makes disability and blindness determinations (eCFR, current)
- 42 U.S.C. 406, Representation of claimants before Commissioner (LII)
- 42 U.S.C. 1320b-10, Prohibition of misuse of symbols, emblems, or names (LII)
- Social Security Administration, Representing Social Security Claimants
- North Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.1