Denied disability benefits? Here's who handles SSDI and SSI appeals in Saint Paul.
Top Social Security Disability Lawyers in Saint Paul, MN
Most Social Security disability claims are denied the first time, and most people who win do so on appeal with a lawyer at the hearing. The Saint Paul firms below handle SSDI and SSI applications, denials, and hearings before an administrative law judge. Their fee is capped by federal law and paid only if you win. We verified each one against peer directories and its own record.
Updated September 06, 202510 min readEditorially independent
Social Security disability comes in two programs that people constantly confuse. SSDI pays workers who have earned enough credits through past employment and can no longer work. SSI is a need-based program for people with limited income and resources, regardless of work history. You can qualify for one, both, or neither, and a disability lawyer's first job is figuring out which programs fit your situation before a single form is filed.
The numbers are why representation matters. A large share of initial applications are denied, and the appeals process runs through reconsideration and then a hearing before an administrative law judge, where having a lawyer measurably improves your odds. The lawyer gathers the medical evidence, prepares you to testify, cross-examines the vocational expert, and frames your limitations in the language the judge and the agency actually use. The wait for a hearing can stretch many months, so the sooner a claim is built correctly, the better.
Every firm below represents disability claimants in the Saint Paul area, appeared in at least two independent sources, and lists real attorneys and real credentials. Social Security caps what these lawyers can charge and they are paid only out of back benefits if you win, so the first consultation is almost always free.
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 Saint Paul-area disability practice. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
1
Greeman Toomey PLLC
Serving Saint Paul, MN90,000+ clients helped70+ years combined experience
Practice focus: SSDI and SSI applications, appeals, and hearings
A Social Security disability firm serving Saint Paul and the surrounding area that reports having helped more than 90,000 individuals obtain disability benefits, with attorneys carrying more than seven decades of combined experience in disability law. The practice covers initial applications through hearings.
Why they made the list: A high-volume, disability-only practice, which means the team has argued in front of the same administrative law judges many times.
Serving Saint Paul, MNAttorney Andrew W. KinneyMSBA Disability Section founder
Practice focus: Social Security disability benefits and appeals
A disability firm whose attorney Andrew W. Kinney began practicing Social Security disability law in 1992 and founded the Minnesota State Bar Association's Social Security Disability Law Section. The firm is licensed across several states and handles applications, denials, and hearings.
Why they made the list: Leadership in the state bar's disability section signals deep, specialized knowledge of how these claims are decided.
Serving Saint Paul, MN50+ years combined experienceArgued at the U.S. Supreme Court
Practice focus: SSDI and SSI claims and appeals across the upper Midwest
A disability firm whose attorneys carry more than five decades of collective experience helping people in the Twin Cities and across Minnesota apply for and appeal SSDI and SSI benefits. The firm has taken a disability matter all the way to the United States Supreme Court.
Why they made the list: A multi-state practice with appellate reach, useful if your claim raises a legal issue beyond a routine medical denial.
3900 Northwoods Dr, Saint Paul, MNServing clients since 2009SSDI and SSI
Practice focus: Social Security disability benefits, including complex impairments
A Saint Paul firm working with disability clients since 2009 that represents people seeking to qualify for Social Security disability benefits, including clients with chronic conditions such as complex regional pain syndrome. The practice handles applications and appeals.
Why they made the list: A local Saint Paul office with a track record on hard-to-prove chronic-pain and complex-impairment claims.
Serving Saint Paul, MNAttorney Gregg B. NelsonNOSSCR member
Practice focus: Social Security disability and workers' compensation
A workers' compensation and Social Security disability firm serving Saint Paul-area individuals and families, including people with physical disabilities or mental illness and those applying for SSI. Principal attorney Gregg B. Nelson is a member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives.
Why they made the list: A sensible choice when a disability claim overlaps with a work injury, since the firm handles both sides.
Serving Saint Paul, MNDisability & workers' compAppeals of denied claims
Practice focus: SSDI benefits and appeals for injured and disabled workers
A Social Security disability and workers' compensation firm serving Saint Paul and the surrounding area that helps hurt and disabled workers secure SSDI benefits and represents denied claimants in appeals. The practice focuses on getting denials reversed at hearing.
Why they made the list: A practical option for a worker whose injury has crossed from a comp claim into a long-term disability claim.
Serving Saint Paul, MNSSDI and SSI focusApplications and appeals
Practice focus: Social Security disability applications and appeals
A disability-focused firm serving the Saint Paul and Twin Cities area that helps claimants apply for SSDI and SSI and appeal denied claims through reconsideration and hearing. The practice is built around the Social Security disability process.
Why they made the list: A claimant-side practice concentrated on disability benefits, with the free first call you should expect in this field.
Tell us about your condition and where your claim stands. We'll connect you with a Saint Paul disability attorney who can review it free, with no fee unless you win.
How to choose between them in Saint Paul
Hire before your first denial, not after. A lawyer can build the claim correctly from the start, which is cheaper in time than fixing a botched application on appeal. There is no extra cost to having representation early, because the fee is capped either way.
Confirm they handle the hearing themselves. Most cases are won at the hearing before an administrative law judge. Ask whether the attorney you meet will personally appear, or whether a contractor handles the hearing.
Ask about their experience with your condition. Claims based on chronic pain, mental illness, or invisible conditions are harder to prove. A firm that has handled your type of impairment knows what evidence the judge wants.
Understand the fee is capped and contingent. Social Security limits the fee to a percentage of past-due benefits up to a federal cap, paid only if you win. Any firm asking for a large up-front payment is a red flag.
What disability help typically costs in Saint Paul
Social Security disability fees are set by federal law, not by the firm, which makes the cost structure unusually predictable:
Contingency, capped: The lawyer is paid 25% of your past-due benefits up to a federal maximum (currently in the range of $9,200), and only if you win. No recovery means no attorney fee.
No fee for losing: If your claim is denied and there are no back benefits, you owe no attorney fee. That is the core of how disability representation works.
Out-of-pocket costs: You may owe small costs for medical records or reports, separate from the attorney fee. Ask the firm how it handles these.
Free consultation: Every firm above offers a free initial evaluation. There is no reason to pay for a first conversation about a disability claim.
SSI vs SSDI: The fee rules apply to both programs. Your lawyer should explain which program you are pursuing and why.
Because Social Security caps and approves the fee, the real question is not price but which firm will build and argue your claim best.
How long it takes
A disability claim moves through fixed stages, and the calendar is driven by Social Security's backlog:
Application: Filing the initial SSDI or SSI claim with your full medical record. A decision often takes three to five months.
Reconsideration: If denied, your lawyer files for reconsideration, which is another review of the file and typically adds a few months.
Hearing: If denied again, the case goes to a hearing before an administrative law judge. The wait for a hearing date can run many months, sometimes a year or more.
Decision and back pay: If you win, Social Security pays past-due benefits back to your established onset date, and the capped attorney fee comes out of that back pay.
Red flags to watch for when hiring a disability lawyer in Saint Paul
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 Saint Paul 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 Saint Paul
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 Saint Paul
What is the difference between SSDI and SSI?
SSDI pays workers who have earned enough work credits and can no longer work. SSI is need-based for people with limited income and resources, regardless of work history. A lawyer can tell you which program, or both, fits your case.
How much does a disability lawyer cost in Saint Paul?
The fee is set by federal law: 25% of your past-due benefits up to a federal cap (currently around $9,200), paid only if you win. The first consultation is free and there is no fee if you do not recover.
Why was my disability claim denied?
Most initial claims are denied, often for insufficient medical evidence or a finding that you can still do some work. A denial is not the end; most approvals happen on appeal at the hearing stage.
Do I need a lawyer to apply, or just to appeal?
You can apply on your own, but having a lawyer build the claim from the start improves your odds and costs nothing extra because the fee is capped. Representation is especially important once you reach the hearing.
How long does the whole process take?
From application through a hearing decision, a contested claim commonly takes well over a year given Social Security's backlog. Building the claim correctly early can save time later.
What should I bring to the first meeting?
A list of your medical providers and conditions, your work history, any denial letters, and your medications. The firm will help gather the full medical record.
Can I work at all while on disability?
There are limited work allowances, and the rules are strict and easy to trip over. Talk to your lawyer before taking any work, because earnings can affect eligibility.
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.
Helpful next steps
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