Greensboro, North Carolina - Social Security Disability (SSDI & SSI)
Top Disability Lawyers in Greensboro, NC
Greensboro Social Security disability attorneys who handle SSDI and SSI claims, denials, and hearings - what they charge (it is capped by federal law), how long a North Carolina claim takes, and how to choose.
Updated December 23, 202510 min readEditorially independent
If a serious illness or injury has left you unable to work, Social Security disability is the safety net you have paid into - and collecting it is harder than it should be. Most first-time claims are denied, often for reasons that have little to do with how sick or hurt you really are. A Social Security disability lawyer in Greensboro helps you build the medical record Social Security actually looks at, hit every deadline, and stand up at the hearing where most cases are finally won. The cost rarely stops anyone: disability lawyers charge nothing up front, and their fee is capped by federal law.
There are two programs. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is for people with enough work history; Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is need-based, for people with limited income and resources. Both move through the same process - an initial application, a reconsideration if you are denied, and then a hearing before an administrative law judge, the stage where a lawyer matters most. Greensboro claimants are served by Social Security's regional structure and the local hearing operation, and an attorney who works these cases knows how the hearings run and what evidence the judges want to see.
We built this list from peer-reviewed directories - Super Lawyers, Avvo, Justia, and Best Lawyers - and confirmed each firm or attorney has a real Social Security disability practice serving Greensboro and Guilford County. One firm here is led by a North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in Social Security Disability Law. Every option works on the federal contingency fee, so you owe nothing unless they win your benefits.
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 Greensboro-area disability practice. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
1
Collins Price, PLLC
Disability focusGreensboro & TriadSSDI & SSI
Practice focus: Social Security Disability Insurance, SSI, and Disabled Widow's Benefits claims and appeals
A North Carolina disability firm with a Greensboro presence and offices across the Triad, founded by attorneys Andrew Price and Bradford Collins. The firm focuses on representing disabled claimants in SSDI, SSI, and Disabled Widow's Benefits cases from application through appeal.
Why they made the list: A strong, disability-focused option with a dedicated Triad practice and a free consultation.
Practice focus: Social Security Disability and SSI from initial application through federal court
Attorney Charlie Hall is a North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in Social Security Disability Law - one of only about 50 in the state - with a Greensboro office on South Elm Street and two decades handling disability cases from application through federal court.
Why they made the list: Worth a call when you want a board-certified disability specialist handling your claim, including tough appeals.
Practice focus: Social Security disability benefits and appeals for North Carolina claimants
A North Carolina firm with a busy Social Security Disability division - headed by attorney Jonathan Blair Biser - that has guided claimants through the disability process for about 30 years, with a Greensboro presence. Disability help backed by a larger firm.
Why they made the list: A good fit when you want an established firm with a dedicated disability team and a free consultation.
Practice focus: Social Security disability and related benefits for Guilford County claimants
A Greensboro firm whose attorneys help people in Guilford County and surrounding areas secure the disability benefits they are owed. A local practice handling Social Security disability alongside related work.
Why they made the list: A solid local choice for Guilford County claimants who want a Greensboro-based firm.
Practice focus: Social Security disability and workers' compensation for North Carolina clients
A Greensboro firm with attorney Daniel Deuterman, who has decades of experience handling Social Security disability and workers' compensation matters for North Carolina clients. A useful option when a work injury and a disability claim overlap.
Why they made the list: Consider them when your disability claim sits alongside a workers' compensation issue.
Practice focus: Social Security disability claims and appeals
A Guilford County Social Security disability attorney with more than four decades of experience handling disability claims and appeals. A long-established solo practice for claimants who want a seasoned individual advocate.
Why they made the list: A reasonable pick when you want a veteran solo attorney focused on disability.
Practice focus: Social Security disability claims and appeals for Greensboro-area claimants
A Greensboro Social Security disability attorney with more than 30 years of experience representing claimants in the area, listed among local disability lawyers in peer directories. Another experienced individual advocate to consider.
Why they made the list: Useful as an additional consultation so you can compare experienced solo disability practitioners.
Tell us about your disability claim and we will connect you with a Greensboro Social Security disability attorney who handles SSDI and SSI applications, denials, and hearings. Free, confidential, and no fee unless you win.
How to choose between them in Greensboro
Pick a firm that does disability as its core work. Social Security has its own rules, forms, and judges. A lawyer who handles disability claims regularly knows what medical evidence Social Security credits and how the local hearings run - that experience drives results.
Ask about board certification. North Carolina certifies Social Security Disability Law specialists. It is not the only marker of quality, but a board-certified specialist has demonstrated focused disability experience. At least one firm on this list is led by one.
Remember the fee is capped and contingent. By federal law a disability lawyer is paid only if you win, and the fee is capped (25 percent of your back pay up to a federal limit). Any firm quoting an up-front fee for a standard SSDI/SSI claim is a red flag.
Ask who builds your medical record. Cases are won on medical evidence. Ask how the firm gathers records, works with your doctors, and obtains supporting opinions. That quiet work - not courtroom drama - is what wins disability cases.
Get help before you appeal, not after. If you have been denied, the reconsideration and hearing stages are where a lawyer adds the most value. Do not wait - each denial carries a short, strict deadline to appeal.
What disability help typically costs in Greensboro
This is the easy part: Social Security disability representation is set by federal law, so the cost is the same no matter which firm or attorney on this list you choose.
No up-front fee: Disability lawyers work on contingency. You pay nothing to start, and nothing if you do not win benefits.
Fee is capped: If you win, the lawyer's fee is 25 percent of your past-due (back) benefits, up to a federal maximum set by the Social Security Administration. The cap is the same statewide.
You only pay from back pay: The fee comes out of your back pay, not your future monthly benefits. Your ongoing monthly check is not reduced by the attorney fee.
Small case costs: You may owe modest out-of-pocket costs for medical records or reports - usually a small amount. Ask the firm to explain these before you sign.
Free to ask: Every option on this list offers a free or no-cost consultation, so there is no cost to find out whether you have a claim worth pursuing.
Because the fee structure is fixed by law, you are really choosing on experience, communication, and how well a firm builds your medical record - not on price. Use the free consultations to compare.
How long it takes
Social Security disability is a waiting game, and North Carolina claimants move through the same federal stages. Plan for it to take time:
Initial application (3-6 months): After you apply, Social Security typically takes several months to decide. Most initial claims are denied, which is normal and not the end of the road.
Reconsideration (3-5 months): If denied, you request reconsideration - a fresh review by Social Security. This stage also commonly ends in denial, which sets up the hearing.
Hearing before a judge (a year or more wait): The hearing before an administrative law judge is where most cases are won, but the wait for a hearing date can be a year or more. A lawyer prepares you and your evidence for it.
Decision and back pay (1-3 months after hearing): After the hearing, the judge issues a written decision. If you win, back benefits are calculated and paid, and the capped attorney fee comes out of that back pay.
Red flags to watch for when hiring a disability lawyer in Greensboro
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 Greensboro 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 Greensboro
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 Greensboro
How much does a disability lawyer cost in Greensboro?
Nothing up front. Social Security disability lawyers work on a federal contingency fee: they are paid only if you win, and the fee is capped at 25 percent of your back pay up to a federal maximum. The cap is the same for every firm, so you are choosing on experience, not price.
What is the difference between SSDI and SSI?
SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is based on your work history and the Social Security taxes you have paid. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is need-based, for people with limited income and resources regardless of work history. Some people qualify for both. A lawyer can tell you which program fits your situation.
Why was my disability claim denied?
Most initial claims are denied, often because the medical record does not yet show, in Social Security's terms, that you cannot do substantial work. A denial is not a judgment about how sick you are - it usually means the evidence needs to be developed. The appeal stages are where a lawyer adds the most value.
What is a board-certified Social Security disability specialist?
North Carolina's State Bar certifies attorneys as specialists in Social Security Disability Law after they demonstrate substantial experience, pass an exam, and earn peer review. Only about 50 attorneys in the state hold it. It is a useful signal of focused disability experience - one firm on this list is led by a specialist.
Do I need a lawyer to apply for disability?
You can apply on your own, and some people do. But your odds improve significantly with representation, especially at the hearing stage. Because the fee is contingent and capped, hiring a lawyer does not cost you anything unless you win, which is why most people who reach a hearing have one.
How long does a disability claim take in North Carolina?
Plan for the long haul. The initial decision takes several months, reconsideration a few more, and the wait for a hearing before a judge can be a year or more. Many strong cases are ultimately won at the hearing - but it takes patience, which is part of why people hire help.
What should I do if I just got denied?
Do not start over - appeal. Each denial carries a strict, short deadline (generally 60 days) to request the next stage. Missing it can force you to file a brand-new claim and lose time. Call a disability lawyer right away so the appeal is filed on time and built correctly.
Can I work at all while applying for disability?
It depends. Social Security looks at whether you can do substantial gainful activity, which is tied to a monthly earnings figure. Some limited work may be allowed, but it can affect your claim. Tell your lawyer about any work or income so they can advise you before it becomes a problem.
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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