If you don’t have a lawyer (or no lawyer will take your case), it is still possible to get approved for disability. Here’s a few tips and good ideas to get you started:
Starting a New Application Without a Lawyer
🌸 Some people prefer to have a lawyer early in the process, and others choose to wait. For new applications, there are many, many things you can do to improve your application yourself.
Requesting Reconsideration Without a Lawyer
🌸 Request for Reconsideration is a short appeal step that comes after applications and before hearings. This stage disappeared in some states for a while, but it is now coming back everywhere.
Going to a Hearing Without a Lawyer
🌸 A lawyer can be helpful for a hearing, and it is recommended to try to get a lawyer if possible. If you’ve gotten turned away by lawyers, dropped by a lawyer, or decided not to have a lawyer for other reasons, here’s some ideas for next steps.
🌸 If your case was denied at a hearing, you have some important things to consider and some important decisions to make. Here’s what you need to know to make good choices for yourself.
Thanks for reading. This page is part of the free online guide: The Sleepy Girl Guide to Social Security Disability. Art on this page by Robin Mead and Elizabeth D’Angelo. Page Updated: 8/1/19
How to Get On 