Is It Time To Get Help?

You’re facing reconsideration, and you’re trying to decide whether to handle it on your own or seek professional help. Maybe you’re concerned about the cost of hiring an attorney. Maybe you’re wondering whether a lawyer can actually make a difference at this stage. Or you might simply be uncertain whether your case is complicated enough to warrant professional assistance.

These are reasonable questions, and there’s no universal answer that applies to everyone. Some people navigate reconsideration successfully on their own. Others benefit significantly from professional guidance. The decision depends on your specific circumstances, the complexity of your case, your comfort level with paperwork and procedures, and your ability to gather and present medical evidence effectively.

Understanding when help is useful, what professional assistance actually involves, and how it fits into the reconsideration process will help you make an informed decision that’s right for your situation.

Where Reconsideration Fits In The Process

Reconsideration is the first level of appeal in the Social Security disability process. It’s a file review conducted by a different examiner who evaluates all the evidence in your case and makes a new determination about whether you meet the legal definition of disability.

For some people, reconsideration is straightforward. If the reason for the initial denial is clear, if obtaining additional medical evidence is manageable, and if there are no complicated procedural or legal issues, handling reconsideration independently may be perfectly reasonable.

For others, reconsideration is more complex. Medical conditions that are difficult to document, denials based on unclear reasoning, complications with work history or eligibility, or difficulty obtaining medical records can make the process challenging – and this is where professional help may add value.

The stage you’re at matters. Reconsideration has a low approval rate – typically around 10-15% – which means most cases are denied and proceed to the hearing stage. Because of this, some people choose to handle reconsideration on their own to preserve the deadline and build their record, then seek professional help if the case proceeds to a hearing. Others prefer to have representation from the beginning to ensure their reconsideration is as strong as possible.

Situations Where Help Is Useful

Professional assistance tends to add the most value in certain situations:

Complex Medical Conditions
If you have multiple impairments, if your condition is difficult to prove through medical records alone (chronic pain, mental health conditions, fatigue-related illnesses), or if your medical documentation is inconsistent or incomplete, an experienced disability representative can help you develop stronger evidence and present your case more effectively.

Prior Denials with Unclear Reasoning
If your denial letter uses vague language or doesn’t clearly explain what was lacking, figuring out how to strengthen your case can be difficult. Someone with experience in disability claims can often interpret the denial more accurately and identify what evidence is needed.

Difficulty Obtaining Medical Records
If your doctors aren’t responsive to records requests, if your treatment history spans multiple providers in different locations, or if you’re having trouble getting your physicians to provide detailed statements about your limitations, professional help can sometimes expedite this process.

Procedural or Technical Issues
If your case involves complicated work history questions, date last insured issues, earnings calculations, or other technical eligibility matters, professional guidance can help you navigate these complexities.

Cognitive or Mental Health Barriers
If your disabling condition makes it difficult for you to manage paperwork, meet deadlines, or communicate effectively with Social Security, having someone handle the procedural aspects of your case can relieve significant stress.

Limited Time or Energy
If you’re barely functioning due to your condition and the thought of gathering records, completing forms, and managing the reconsideration process feels overwhelming, professional assistance may be worth considering.

Cost and Value Considerations

One of the biggest concerns people have about hiring a disability attorney is cost. The good news is that disability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means they don’t get paid unless you win your case.

Here’s how it typically works:

Contingency Fee Structure
Disability attorneys are paid a percentage of your past-due benefits (also called back pay) if your claim is approved. The standard fee is 25% of your back pay, up to a maximum amount set by Social Security (currently $7,200, though this amount is periodically adjusted).

If your claim is denied and you don’t receive benefits, you don’t owe the attorney a fee.

When Fees Apply
Attorney fees are deducted from your back pay only if you’re approved for benefits. Social Security withholds the fee amount and pays it directly to your attorney, so you don’t have to pay anything out of pocket.

Out-of-Pocket Costs
Some attorneys charge for expenses like obtaining medical records, but these costs are typically modest (often $100-$200 total) and are usually only collected if you win. Many attorneys cover these costs upfront and only collect them from your back pay if you’re approved.

Value Assessment
Whether professional help is “worth it” depends on several factors: how much your back pay would be, how complex your case is, and whether representation materially improves your chances of approval. For straightforward cases with clear evidence, you may not need help. For complex cases or situations where you’re struggling to gather evidence on your own, the assistance can be valuable.

How Help Fits Into Reconsideration

If you decide to hire a disability attorney or representative, here’s what they typically do during the reconsideration stage:

Review Your Case
They analyze your denial letter, review your medical records, and assess what evidence is needed to strengthen your claim.

Develop Evidence
They help obtain updated medical records, request detailed statements from your doctors, and ensure all relevant evidence is submitted to Social Security.

Handle Procedural Requirements
They complete and file the necessary forms, respond to requests from Social Security, and ensure all deadlines are met.

Communicate with Social Security
They serve as your point of contact with Social Security, fielding requests for information and ensuring you attend any required consultative exams.

Prepare for the Next Stage
If your reconsideration is denied, they can immediately file for a hearing and begin preparing your case for that next level of appeal.

Assessing Whether You Need Help

The links below will help you evaluate whether professional assistance is appropriate for your situation and what it would involve.

• Do You Need a Disability Attorney at Reconsideration? – An honest assessment of when self-representation works and when professional help adds value.
• What a Disability Lawyer Actually Does at This Stage – A detailed look at what representation involves during reconsideration.
• Costs and Fees for Disability Attorneys – Clear information about how disability attorneys are paid and what you can expect to owe.
• Signs Your Case Needs Professional Help – Specific indicators that suggest your case may benefit from professional assistance.
• What Happens If Reconsideration Is Denied Again – What a second denial means and why early preparation matters.

Making the Decision

Deciding whether to seek professional help is a personal choice that depends on your specific circumstances. There’s no shame in handling reconsideration on your own if you feel capable of doing so, and there’s no shame in seeking help if the process feels overwhelming or if your case is complex.

What matters most is that you make an informed decision. Understand what’s involved in reconsideration, assess your own abilities and limitations honestly, and consider whether professional assistance would add enough value to justify the cost (which you only pay if you win).

Some people benefit from a consultation with a disability attorney even if they ultimately decide to handle reconsideration themselves. Many attorneys offer free initial consultations where they review your case and provide guidance about what evidence is needed. This can be valuable even if you choose not to hire representation.

Moving Forward

Whether you proceed on your own or with professional help, the goal is the same: to build the strongest possible case, address the issues that led to your initial denial, and give yourself the best chance of approval – whether at reconsideration or at a later stage of appeal.

Take the time to assess your situation honestly, understand your options, and make a decision that feels right for your circumstances.