If a medical condition has stopped you from working and Social Security said no, that denial is not the end. Most claims are turned down at first, and the right Arlington attorney knows how to win them back on appeal, with no fee unless you do. Here are the firms that handle SSDI and SSI cases for Tarrant County.
Updated January 26, 202612 min readEditorially independent
A Social Security disability claim from Arlington runs through the federal SSA system, but appeals are heard locally at the Fort Worth hearing office, in front of administrative law judges who handle these cases every week. SSDI is for people with enough work history who can no longer hold a job; SSI is a needs-based benefit for those with very limited income and resources. A lawyer who works these claims knows which program fits, what medical evidence persuades a judge, and how to keep a case from getting lost in the backlog.
Here is what surprises most people: disability lawyers do not charge up front. By federal rule, your attorney is paid only if you win, and the fee is capped by Social Security at 25 percent of your back pay up to a fixed dollar limit. So hiring a lawyer for an Arlington disability claim costs nothing out of pocket, and you never owe more than the federal cap no matter how long the case drags on.
Most of the firms below offer a free consultation and take cases at any stage, whether you are applying for the first time, appealing a denial, or preparing for a hearing. Bring your denial letter, a list of your conditions and doctors, and your work history. Here are the Arlington disability firms worth a call.
How we picked these 7: We cross-referenced peer rankings and directories (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Justia, Expertise.com, FindLaw) and each firm's own published practice pages. Every firm below appeared in at least two independent sources and has a verifiable Arlington-area disability practice. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
1
Roger D. Allen, Attorney at Law
1300 W Abram St, Arlington31+ yearsNo fee unless you win
Practice focus: SSDI and SSI claims, denials and appeals, ALJ hearings
An Arlington Social Security disability attorney at 1300 West Abram Street with 31 years of experience and membership in the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives, charging no fee until benefits are approved. Listed on the firm site, Justia, and local directories.
Why they made the list: A long-established, downtown-Arlington disability practice with deep Social Security-specific experience.
Practice focus: SSDI and SSI, initial applications, appeals, disability hearings
An Arlington firm whose attorney Ted S. Machi has roughly 24 years of disability experience and has helped thousands of clients across Arlington, Fort Worth, and Dallas at every stage of the benefits process. Reachable at (817) 335-8880. Listed on the firm site, Justia, and local directories.
Why they made the list: A high-volume disability practice that takes cases from application through hearing.
Practice focus: SSDI and SSI applications, denials, appeals across North Texas
A North Texas disability firm that helps Arlington clients whether they are submitting an initial application or appealing a denial, serving Tarrant, Dallas, Denton, and Collin counties. Reachable at (972) 671-9922 for a free case evaluation. Listed on the firm site and legal directories.
Why they made the list: A regional disability practice with experience across the North Texas hearing offices.
Practice focus: SSDI and SSI, disability hearings, appeals council
An Arlington disability attorney who has represented claimants in more than 2,000 disability hearings since 2010, at the administrative and appeals-council levels. Listed on the firm site, Justia, and local directories.
Why they made the list: Heavy hearing experience for claimants whose cases have reached the administrative law judge stage.
Serves Arlington30-year careerNo fee unless you win
Practice focus: Social Security disability, SSDI, ALJ hearings in Fort Worth
A disability practice led by attorney Stanley Denman, who has appeared many times before the administrative law judges at the Fort Worth hearing office over a 30-year career and offers a free 15-minute phone consultation. Listed on the firm site and legal directories.
Why they made the list: Strong familiarity with the Fort Worth judges who hear Arlington-area claims.
Serves Arlington / Fort WorthSSDI & long-term disabilityNo fee unless you win
Practice focus: SSDI, SSI, long-term disability, appeals statewide
A Texas disability firm assisting clients in the Dallas and Fort Worth area, including Arlington, with SSDI, SSI, and long-term disability claims and appeals. Listed on the firm site and legal directories.
Why they made the list: Useful when your case involves both Social Security and a private long-term disability policy.
Serves ArlingtonDisability appealsNo fee unless you win
Practice focus: Social Security disability, denied claims, appeals and hearings
A disability firm representing Arlington claimants who understand how to pursue benefits after Social Security has denied a claim, handling appeals and hearings. Listed on the firm site and legal directories.
Why they made the list: An appeals-focused practice for claimants who have already been denied and need to fight back.
Tell us about your condition and where your claim stands, and we'll match you with an Arlington disability attorney who handles SSDI and SSI appeals. Free, confidential, no fee unless you win.
How to choose between them in Arlington
Hire for the appeal, not just the application. Most first-time claims are denied. These lawyers earn their keep at reconsideration and hearing, so pick a firm that regularly appears before the Fort Worth administrative law judges.
Confirm the fee is the federal one. Disability attorneys are paid only if you win, capped at 25 percent of back pay up to the SSA's fixed limit. If a firm quotes anything different, ask why before signing.
Ask who builds your medical evidence. Claims are won on records and doctor statements. Ask how the firm gathers your medical file and whether they will request the specific opinions a judge looks for.
What disability help typically costs in Arlington
Disability representation is priced the same way almost everywhere because federal law controls it. For an Arlington SSDI or SSI claim:
Up-front cost: Nothing. Reputable disability lawyers do not charge a retainer to start your case.
Attorney fee if you win: 25 percent of past-due benefits, capped at a fixed dollar limit set by the SSA, paid only out of back pay.
If you lose: You owe no attorney fee. You may owe small case costs, like medical-record fees, so confirm that up front.
SSI vs. SSDI: The fee rule is the same, but SSI back pay is often smaller, which usually means a smaller fee.
Because the fee is fixed by law, the real question is track record. Ask each firm how many Fort Worth hearings they handle and what their approval rate looks like.
How long it takes
Disability cases are slow, and most of the wait is the government's, not your lawyer's:
Initial application: A first decision commonly takes several months, and most claims are denied at this stage, which is normal.
Reconsideration: An appeal of the denial, usually decided in a few more months; many cases are still denied here.
ALJ hearing: The stage where representation matters most; getting a hearing date at the Fort Worth office can take a year or more.
After you win: Back pay covers the months you waited, which is why winning at hearing can produce a meaningful lump sum.
Red flags to watch for when hiring a disability lawyer in Arlington
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can promise a specific result. If a firm guarantees a win, a number, or a court ruling, walk away.
The disappearing senior partner. You meet a named partner at intake, then never hear from them again while an unsupervised junior runs the file. Ask in writing who handles your matter day to day.
Pressure to sign on the spot. Reputable firms give you the engagement letter in writing and time to read it. High-pressure intake is a volume-mill signal.
No verifiable track record. Look for named results, peer rankings, board certifications, or bar recognition — not "we have helped thousands of clients."
Vague fees. Every legitimate firm will put the fee structure, what is covered, and what triggers extra charges in a written engagement letter.
10 questions to ask in your free consultation
Most of the firms on this list offer a free or low-cost initial call. Use it. Bring a written list and write down the answers, then compare across two or three firms before you sign anything.
Who, specifically, will handle my matter day to day? Get a name and a direct email, not just the firm.
How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? You want a number, not a brochure line.
What is your fee, and what does it cover? Get the structure in writing before you sign.
What out-of-pocket costs am I responsible for, and when? Filing fees, records, and experts add up - ask now.
What is the realistic range of outcomes? A good lawyer gives a range; a weak one promises the high end.
How long will this take? An honest estimate, with the assumptions stated.
What is my deadline, and is it at risk? Many disability matters carry hard filing deadlines.
How often will I hear from you? Set the communication cadence now.
What can I do to help my own case? The best lawyers will give you homework.
What is the worst-case outcome? A lawyer who refuses to discuss downside risk is selling you something.
What to bring to your Arlington consultation
You will get more out of the first call if you arrive organized. For most disability matters, gather:
A short written timeline. Dates, names, and what happened, in order.
The key documents. Any contracts, letters, agreements, court orders, or filings you have received.
Your correspondence. Relevant emails, texts, or messages - and do not delete anything.
Any deadlines you know about. A court date, a signing deadline, or an agency notice.
Your questions. The 10 above are a good place to start.
If you are not sure whether something is relevant, bring it anyway. It is easier for a lawyer to set aside what does not matter than to chase down what you left at home.
Talk to a vetted Disability attorney in Arlington
Tell us about your situation. We'll match you with one of these firms or a similar one. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Frequently asked questions about disability lawyers in Arlington
How much does a disability lawyer cost in Arlington?
Nothing up front. Social Security disability attorneys are paid only if you win, with the fee capped by federal law at 25 percent of back pay up to a fixed SSA limit. You may owe small costs like medical-record fees, so ask about that when you sign.
Why was my disability claim denied?
Most first-time claims are denied, often because the medical evidence does not yet show you cannot work, paperwork was incomplete, or SSA wanted more proof. A denial is usually the start of the appeal, where a lawyer makes the biggest difference.
What is the difference between SSDI and SSI?
SSDI is based on your work history and the Social Security taxes you have paid. SSI is a needs-based program for people with very limited income and resources. Some people qualify for both. An Arlington disability lawyer can tell you which fits.
How long does a disability case take in Tarrant County?
Often a year or more, mostly because of waits at the application, reconsideration, and hearing stages. The hearing before an administrative law judge at the Fort Worth office can take a year on its own given the backlog.
Do I have to go to a hearing?
Many cases are decided before a hearing, but if yours reaches that stage you appear before an administrative law judge, frequently by phone or video. Having a lawyer who knows the Fort Worth judges helps most here.
Can I work at all while on disability?
There are limited earnings rules, and SSA has work-incentive programs that let some people test returning to work without instantly losing benefits. The rules are strict, so talk to your attorney before taking on any work.
What should I bring to a disability consultation?
Bring your denial letter if you have one, a list of your conditions, your doctors and treatment dates, your work history, and any recent SSA notices. The fuller the picture, the better the lawyer's first read on your odds.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? The answer tells you a lot. — The LawFirmSquare team
LawFirmSquare is a directory. We do not represent clients or refer cases for a fee.
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