ohmyitsamirage

Is it ever worth trying without a lawyer? Virtually every client I worked with in the benefits world took many applications and multiple years to get their SSDI and ultimately were most successful with legal representation. I always hated how hopeless it felt to suggest pursuing because my clients were very poor.

I agree that the technological barriers are a big problem. Disability + government forms can be a bad mix. It's possible I saw the clients at the first or second rejection stage, rather than the initial application.

It became a frustrating and somewhat misplaced burden on local ancillary nonprofits trying to figure out how to help disadvantaged/semi literate folks complete an application with little expert insight... being literate and somewhat savvy didn't cut it. I'm not trying to complain at you at all; but at the time, it felt like the lawyer was the only useful advocate while we kicked the clients around our network as they failed again. We also have a shortage of doctors who would complete SSDI paperwork and the wait times were insane. Lots of factors to make it a really hard process.

I appreciate the work you did and your AMA here.