A third of people who file for disability do not hire a lawyer   I came across an interesting article and something that stuck in my mind is a statement captured in the article and attributed to Nancy Shor, the executive director of NOSSCR, the national organization of social security claimant's representatives. She stated that a third of those individuals who have been denied for Social Security Disability did not hire a lawyer. I only wish the statement had been clarified a bit. There may be a significant statistical difference between the non-use of a disability attorney following the denial of an initial claim for disability (the appeal step following this would be the request for reconsideration) and following the denial of a reconsideration appeal (the appeal step in this scenario would be a request for reconsideration). From my own experience, I know that it is at the point following the first denial that many claimants decide to find representation. However, I have no real idea as to how many claimants at this stage of the process choose not to seek representation. And I have no way of knowing how many claimants forego representation at the hearing level, though I have come across the statistic stating that only 40 percent of unrepresented claimants win at a hearing, while a little better than 60 percent of represented claimants win at a hearing. Obviously, going by the statistics alone, it pays to have a rep at a hearing. And drawing upon my own experience in preparing cases for hearings, I have no doubt whatsoever that claimants who go to disability hearings alone are making an error in judgment, simply because the great majority of claimants will have little to no understanding of the social security definition of disability, the medical vocational grid, substantial gainful activity, the importance of vocational factors, or how to properly gather, evaluate, and submit medical record documentation to an administrative law judge. About the Author: Tim Moore is a former Social Security Disability Examiner in North Carolina, has been interviewed by the NY Times and the LA Times on the disability system, and is an Accredited Disability Representative (ADR) in North Carolina. For assistance on a disability application or Appeal in NC, click here. Most popular topics on SSDRC.com Social Security Disability in North Carolina Common Mistakes to avoid after being denied for Disability Tips to Prepare for Filing for Social Security Disability or SSI Advice to Win SSD and SSI Benefit Claims Social Security Disability SSI Questions What is the difference between Social Security Disability and SSI? How to get disability for depression Getting disability for fibromyalgia SSI disability for children with ADHD What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI? Social Security Disability SSI Exam tips More Social Security Disability SSI Questions What makes you eligible for Social Security Disability or SSI? Related pages: Social Security took away my disability How are women alerted to breast cancer? SSDI benefits review How to file for disability in Oregon Can you file for disability with sleep apnea How do you find out how your disability claim is going? Filing and qualifying for disability with melanoma Can I apply for benefits with bipolar? Does Social Security Hold Back The First five Months Of Back Pay? Steps and Tips for requesting a disability hearing Preparation to win a disability hearing Applying for disability with hearing loss Filing for Social Security Disability with Post Polio Social Security Disability and cerebral palsy How Does Social Security Decide If You Are Disabled