Your disability representative

Your case is handled by one of our disability advisors: people who work only on Social Security disability claims, SSDI and SSI, at every level from the first application to the hearing. SSA lets you appoint a qualified representative of your choice to help you at every level, including a hearing before a judge. We work with claimants in all 50 states, with no fee unless you win.

You can choose anyone qualified to help you with a Social Security claim. Here is who we are, what we do for you and how our fee works.

What your advisor does for you

Once you appoint us on SSA’s form, your advisor represents you before SSA. They can see your SSA file, request your medical records, file appeals and forms for you, keep track of your deadlines, prepare you for your hearing and attend it with you. They cannot testify for you.

Like everyone who represents claimants before SSA, our advisors must follow SSA’s rules of conduct and standards of responsibility.

Social Security disability is all we do

Social Security Disability Advisors was founded in 2001 by David Larsen, a former SSA disability specialist. Sam Larsen owns the firm today.

We focus on one thing: Social Security disability claims, both SSDI and SSI, at every SSA level. That includes the initial application, reconsideration, the hearing before an administrative law judge and the Appeals Council. We also help veterans filing for SSDI, disabled widows and widowers, and adults disabled since childhood.

We do not handle VA disability claims, workers’ compensation, overpayment disputes or benefit reinstatement. Keeping our work narrow means we know SSA’s forms, deadlines and hearing practices well.

Our office is in Holladay, Utah. Because hearings can be held by online video or phone, we represent people in every state. When you call, our staff answer the phone.

How the fee works

There is no fee unless you win. The fee is set and approved by SSA and paid from your past-due benefits, sometimes called back pay.

• The fee agreement. Before your claim is decided, you and your representative sign a fee agreement, and SSA reviews it.
• The cap. Under SSA’s fee agreement process, the fee cannot be more than 25% of your past-due benefits or $9,200, whichever is less. That limit applies to favorable decisions issued on or after November 30, 2024.
• How it is paid. For representatives eligible for direct payment, SSA generally withholds up to 25% of your past-due benefits, pays the approved fee directly and sends you the rest.
• If you do not win. If SSA’s decision is unfavorable, SSA makes no decision on the fee agreement, and we charge no fee.
• Expenses are separate. SSA’s rules treat out-of-pocket costs, such as charges for copies of medical records, separately from the fee. Your agreement explains how they are handled.

A representative cannot charge you more than the amount SSA authorizes. You can confirm the current rules on SSA’s fee agreements page.

Switching from another representative

If you already have a representative, we can take over your case only if that representative agrees to waive their fee. SSA generally will not approve a fee agreement when more than one representative is appointed and not all of them have signed it or waived their fee.

What we do at each stage of your claim

Before you apply. We look at whether your situation fits SSA’s rules, which benefits you may qualify for and what medical evidence you will need. See who qualifies.

The initial application. We help you complete the application and disability report carefully, list every provider and describe your limits clearly.

Reconsideration. If you are denied, we file the appeal within the 60-day deadline and add new evidence to fill the gaps the denial points to. See what to do after a denial.

The hearing. We review your full file, gather records and provider statements, meet SSA’s deadline for evidence 5 business days before the hearing, prepare you to testify and question any vocational or medical expert. See hearing representation.

The Appeals Council. If a judge denies your claim, we review the decision and whether to ask the Appeals Council to look at it.

For a step-by-step look at how a case moves, see our services.

Common questions

Is a non-attorney representative allowed to represent me at a hearing?

Yes. SSA lets you appoint a qualified non-attorney representative to act for you at every level, including the hearing.

Is there a fee if I lose?

No. We charge a fee only if you win, and it comes from your past-due benefits in the amount SSA approves. Out-of-pocket expenses are handled separately under your agreement.

Do you only work with people in Utah?

No. Our office is in Utah, but we represent claimants in all 50 states.