CHANGING DISABILITY LAWYERS

Is it possible to change SSDI disability lawyers?  Is it a good idea?

While it may be possible to change lawyers or representatives in a Social Security case, it is not usually a good idea.  I say this for a couple of reasons.

First, most lawyers are very reluctant to accept a case where another lawyer has already been involved.  This is mostly a matter of ethics or professional courtesy.  So, finding new representation after dropping your lawyer may prove difficult or impossible.

Second, you may be thinking of firing your lawyer for the wrong reason.  Most claimants become frustrated with the SSDI process because it takes so long to get anything done.  However, this is not your lawyer's fault.  

The long delay in getting your case resolved is Social Security's fault.  They are inordinately slow because of a lack of personnel and inefficient processes.  They have fewer employees today than they had ten years ago but are trying to do about twice the work.  They have not been adequately funded for twenty years.  Until just recently, Social Security didn't even have the budget to keep their offices open all day on Wednesday.  (That changed January 6, 2020).

So, your new lawyer will have no more luck than your old one when it comes to hurrying your case to a conclusion.  Nobody can push the Social Security Administration or the US government into faster action.  If that's your goal by hiring a new representative, it's a wast of time.

There might be exceptions, but in most cases it is wise to stay the course and work with your existing representative.