SSA withholds our fee directly from your back pay. You never write a check. You never pay upfront. And if you don't win, you pay nothing — ever.
Answer a few quick questions — takes about 2 minutes. An SSD Experts representative will review your situation for free, with no upfront cost.
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SSD Experts serves clients in all 50 states. Select your state for local SSDI information and a free case review.
Serving all 50 states and U.S. territories
Some disability companies have faced lawsuits for unauthorized fees. At SSD Experts, our fee is set by federal law — 25%, capped at $9,200, withheld directly by SSA. No invoices. No surprises. Ever.
Our fees are regulated and approved by the Social Security Administration. Learn more about representative fees →
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The SSDI process has several stages — and knowing what to expect makes all the difference. Having an advocate by your side from the start ensures things are handled properly the first time.
You file your application with the SSA. They review your medical records, work history, and functional limitations. This stage has a 67% denial rate nationally.
💡 Having an advocate prepare your application correctly from the start significantly reduces the risk of denial due to incomplete evidence.
If your initial application is denied, you have 60 days to request reconsideration. A different SSA examiner reviews your case along with any new evidence.
💡 Deadlines are strict. Missing the 60-day window can force you to start over completely — losing months of potential back pay.
If denied at reconsideration, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). This is where the majority of cases are ultimately won or lost.
💡 Claimants with professional representation are significantly more likely to be approved at the ALJ level.
If the ALJ denies your claim, you may appeal to the SSA's Appeals Council. The Council can uphold the denial, reverse it, or send the case back to an ALJ for a new hearing.
💡 Your advocate will review the ALJ decision for errors of law or fact that form the basis of a strong appeal.
When your case is approved, you receive monthly disability benefits — and a lump-sum back pay payment covering the period from your onset date. The average back pay award is over $10,000.
Our fee — regulated by federal law and capped at $9,200 — is only collected from your back pay if you win. If you don't win, you pay nothing.
The process is long — but you don't have to go through it alone.
Check If I Qualify — FreeWe built SSD Experts because navigating the disability system shouldn't require a law degree. Here's what sets us apart.
SSD Experts holds the same federal authorization to represent SSDI claimants as the largest disability firms in the country. The difference: we do this and only this.
No law firm overhead, no case queue, no waiting weeks. We start working your case immediately.
General practice attorneys handle divorces and DUIs. We handle one thing: SSDI. That depth wins cases.
EDPNAs are authorized and regulated by the SSA to represent claimants at every level — including ALJ hearings.
Some companies match you to an outside attorney. We represent you directly — start to finish.
We're earning our reviews one client at a time. As we help more people win the benefits they deserve, their stories will appear here.
Have questions? We have answers.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal program that provides monthly benefits to individuals who are unable to work due to a qualifying medical condition. It is funded through Social Security taxes paid during your working years.
The main criteria are: (1) You have a medical condition — physical or mental — that prevents you from working consistently. (2) Your condition has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months, or is terminal. (3) You have worked at least 5 of the last 10 years and paid Social Security taxes. Contact us for a free personal review.
Each stage of the SSDI process — initial application, reconsideration, and hearing — typically takes 4–8 months. That means the full process can take up to 2 years or more if denied at each level. Working with experienced advocates helps you build the strongest possible case and avoid costly mistakes that cause further delays.
There is no upfront cost. Our consultation and case review are completely free. We operate on a contingency basis — we only get paid if you successfully receive benefits. No out-of-pocket cost, no financial risk to you whatsoever.
A denial is not the end — in fact, the majority of initial applications are denied. Many people who were denied go on to receive benefits after appealing. Contact us as soon as possible after a denial because there are strict deadlines for filing appeals, and having expert guidance significantly improves your chances at the reconsideration and hearing stages.
What truly matters is how your condition affects your ability to work — not the diagnosis itself. Physical conditions like back and spine problems, heart disease, COPD, and diabetes can qualify. So can mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and bipolar disorder. Neurological conditions, cancer, autoimmune disorders, and chronic pain are also commonly approved. Many successful claims involve a combination of conditions that together make full-time work impossible. If your health is genuinely preventing you from working, your situation is worth exploring.
Your monthly SSDI benefit is based on your lifetime earnings record — specifically the Social Security taxes you paid while working. The average SSDI benefit is approximately $1,620 per month, but individual amounts vary. Some people receive closer to $800, while others may receive over $3,000 depending on their work history. You can get an estimate by creating a free account at ssa.gov and viewing your Social Security Statement.
Yes, but there are strict limits. In 2026 the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit is $1,620 per month for non-blind individuals. Earning above this amount can jeopardize your benefits. However, the SSA does offer a Trial Work Period that allows you to test your ability to return to work without immediately losing benefits. We can explain exactly how this works for your situation during your free case review.
Yes. Once you have been receiving SSDI benefits for 24 months, you automatically become eligible for Medicare — regardless of your age. This includes Medicare Part A (hospital coverage) and Part B (medical coverage). For many people, the Medicare eligibility is just as valuable as the monthly cash benefit, especially when managing ongoing medical conditions.
SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is based on your work history and the Social Security taxes you've paid. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a needs-based program for people with limited income and resources, regardless of work history. Some people qualify for both simultaneously — known as "concurrent benefits." SSD Experts focuses primarily on SSDI claims for people who have worked and paid into the system.
The SSA periodically conducts Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs) to determine whether you still meet the disability criteria. If your condition improves to the point where you can return to substantial work, your benefits may be stopped. However, many conditions are chronic and long-term, and the SSA typically schedules reviews every 3–7 years depending on the likelihood of medical improvement. You are required to report any significant medical improvements to the SSA.
Yes — and ongoing medical treatment actually strengthens your claim. The SSA needs to see consistent medical evidence of your condition and its impact on your ability to function. Gaps in treatment can hurt your case because reviewers may assume your condition isn't as severe as claimed. Continuing to see your doctors and follow their recommended treatment plan is one of the best things you can do while your application is being processed.
If approved, SSDI back pay is calculated from your Established Onset Date (EOD) — the date the SSA determines your disability began — subject to a 5-month waiting period. However, back pay is capped at 12 months before your application date. This means if you waited a long time to apply, you may have left significant money on the table. Filing as soon as possible protects your right to the maximum back pay amount, which can sometimes be a lump sum of tens of thousands of dollars.
You do not need a lawyer — but you do benefit enormously from professional help. Many successful SSDI claimants work with non-attorney advocates who specialize in disability cases and know exactly what the SSA looks for. SSD Experts are disability advocates, not attorneys, which means we can provide the same expert case guidance at no upfront cost without the overhead of a law firm. Statistics consistently show that represented claimants are approved at significantly higher rates than those who apply alone.
There are four levels of appeal: (1) Reconsideration — a fresh review of your case by a different SSA examiner. (2) Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Hearing — you present your case in person before a judge; this is where most cases are won. (3) Appeals Council Review — a review of the ALJ's decision. (4) Federal Court — a lawsuit in U.S. District Court. You have 60 days to appeal at each stage. Do not miss these deadlines — missing one can require you to start the entire process over.
Simply fill out the short form at the top of this page or call us at 877-367-0051. One of our team members will review your situation, answer your questions, and let you know honestly whether we believe you have a strong case. There is no obligation, no cost, and no pressure — just a straightforward conversation about your options. Most people say they wished they had called sooner.
