Social Security Disability
Most disability claims are denied the first time.
That doesn't mean yours is over. Answer a few questions and we'll tell you where you stand — what the rules actually say, what your back pay might look like, and whether talking to an advocate makes sense.
- Free, and no obligation to hire anyone
- Takes about a minute
- Representatives are paid only if you win
Free · Takes about a minute
See if you qualify
Answer a few questions about your situation and we'll tell you where you stand — no cost, and no obligation to hire anyone.
Plainly
What we do, and what we don't
We do
- Explain the rules in language that isn't written for lawyers
- Screen your situation against Social Security's actual criteria
- Connect you with an independent attorney or accredited advocate
- Tell you when you probably don't need us
We don't
- Work for or with the Social Security Administration
- Decide claims or have any access to your file
- Provide legal or medical advice
- Charge you anything, ever
By condition
Does my condition qualify?
Social Security keeps a manual of impairments — the Blue Book — that spells out what evidence each condition needs. Here's what it says.
Guides
Start here
Do I Qualify for SSDI? The Five-Step Test Social Security Actually Uses
Social Security decides every disability claim with the same five questions, in the same order. Here's what each one means and where most claims are won or lost.
Read the guide →Your SSDI Claim Was Denied. Here's What Actually Happens Next.
Most first-time disability applications are denied. Here's what the denial letter means, the 60-day deadline that matters most, and how the appeal levels actually work.
Read the guide →How Long Does a Social Security Disability Claim Take?
Realistic timelines for each stage of an SSDI claim — initial decision, reconsideration, and the hearing — plus what actually makes a case move faster.
Read the guide →Questions
The things people actually ask
Does it cost anything to talk to someone?
No. Representatives who handle Social Security disability claims work on contingency — they're paid only if your claim is approved, and the fee comes out of your past-due benefits rather than out of pocket. Federal law caps that fee at 25% of past-due benefits or $9,200, whichever is less.
Can I apply on my own instead?
Yes, and it's free. You can file directly with the Social Security Administration at ssa.gov or by calling your local office. Many people do. A representative is optional — most people who use one do so after a denial, when the appeals process gets more technical.
How long does a disability claim take?
Initial decisions have been running well past six months in most states, and a reconsideration appeal adds several more. If a case goes to a hearing before an administrative law judge, the total wait is often measured in years. Backlogs vary a lot by state.
I was already denied. Is it over?
No — denials are normal. The majority of initial applications are denied, and a large share of those denials are overturned on appeal. You generally have 60 days from the date on your denial letter to file. That deadline is the thing to protect.
Are you the Social Security Administration?
No. Fairhaven Claims is a private company with no connection to the Social Security Administration or any government agency. We can't decide your claim or access your file. We connect people with independent representatives who handle these cases.
Free · Takes about a minute
See if you qualify
Answer a few questions about your situation and we'll tell you where you stand — no cost, and no obligation to hire anyone.