Representation for an Initial Disability Claim

By Gordon Gates on April 9, 2010

This question brought a reader to my blog recently: Can a lawyer represent a claimant for a Social Security initial determination?

The answer is yes. You do not have to wait until you receive a denial letter to seek the help of an attorney.

There are some good reasons to get a lawyer involved early in a claim for disability benefits. In my view, it is particularly important for claimants over the age of 50 to have help when applying for Social Security disability benefits.

Gordon GatesAttorney

Gordon Gates specializes in Social Security disability law, and he handles claims at every level of the Social Security disability claim process. He assists clients…

Gordon Gates specializes in Social Security disability law, and he handles claims at every level of the Social Security disability claim process. He assists clients with initial applications for disability benefits, with appeals of denied claims, and with hearings by an administrative law judge.

Gordon has successfully appealed unfavorable administrative law judge decisions the Social Security Appeals Council and to U.S. District Court (District of Maine) to have those claims remanded for new hearings.

Gordon attended Maine Maritime Academy and Tulane University Law School. At Tulane, he served as Senior Articles Editor of the Tulane Law Review and graduated magna cum laude. He was admitted to practice law in Maine in 1991. Since 2005, he has concentrated his law practice on Social Security disability and SSI cases.

Gordon is the publisher of Social Security Disability Lawyer, a nationally-read legal blog. He presented at the Fall 2010 conference of National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR) on the topic of Writing Hearing Briefs for the ALJ.

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Representation for an Initial Disability Claim

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