Raleigh · NC · Vetted Directory

Top Disability Lawyers in Raleigh

If your Social Security disability claim was denied in Raleigh, that is the norm, not a verdict on your case. Most first applications are turned down, and the hearing is where claims are won. Disability is federal, so your case runs through the Raleigh hearing office of the Social Security Administration and, if you appeal further, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. Below: vetted Raleigh firms that handle SSDI and SSI.

Federal
SSDI & SSI are federal
25% / $9,200
Capped attorney fee
Raleigh OHO
Local hearing office
Free
Most consultations

Updated June 7, 2026

When you need a Raleigh disability lawyer

You can file the first application yourself, but talk to a Raleigh disability lawyer before your hearing if any of this applies:

  • Social Security denied your claim and you must request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge.
  • Your condition stops you from working but the medical record does not clearly prove it.
  • You are appealing and the 60-day window to move to the next level is closing.
  • You have a mental-health condition, chronic pain, or several impairments that are hard to document.
  • You are unsure whether you qualify for SSDI, SSI, or both.
  • There is significant back pay at stake and you want it figured correctly.

Disability lawyers in North Carolina work on contingency, so they are paid only if you win. An attorney who regularly appears before the Raleigh Administrative Law Judges knows how to build the medical evidence that decides most claims and how to prepare you for the questions you will be asked.

What a disability lawyer costs in Raleigh

Social Security caps disability attorney fees nationwide, so the cost is the same in Raleigh as anywhere else and you pay nothing up front:

25%
Of past-due benefits
$9,200
Hard fee cap (2026)
$0
Up front / if you lose
Out-of-pocket
Records & expert costs

Your lawyer's fee is 25% of back pay or $9,200, whichever is less, taken from your past-due benefits only if you win. Medical records or a report may cost extra. See our Social Security disability guide and attorney cost breakdowns.

How long a Raleigh disability case takes

  • Initial application: about 3–6 months for a first decision, usually denied.
  • Reconsideration: another 3–5 months, often denied again in North Carolina.
  • ALJ hearing: where most claims are won; the wait can run 9–15 months from request.
  • Appeals Council / federal court: if needed, add many months to over a year.

Timelines turn on the Raleigh office backlog and how complete your file is. Filing quickly after a denial and getting your records in early are the two things most within your control.

Raleigh firms that handle disability

1

Hardison & Cochran

RaleighEstablished firmDisability, workers' comp, injury

A well-known Raleigh firm handling Social Security disability alongside workers' compensation and injury claims across the Triangle.

Free ConsultationDisability
Request Free Consult
2

Lunn & Forro, PLLC

RaleighBoutiqueSocial Security disability only

Concentrates on Social Security disability and is frequently chosen for SSDI and SSI hearings and appeals in the Raleigh area.

Free ConsultationDisability
Request Free Consult
3

Clauson Law

Durham / RaleighBoutiqueDisability, veterans benefits

A Triangle-area disability practice handling SSDI, SSI, and related benefits claims through the hearing process.

Free ConsultationDisability
Request Free Consult
4

Hall & Rouse, P.C.

RaleighSmall firmSocial Security disability

A Raleigh firm focused on Social Security disability claims, representing clients from application through ALJ hearings.

Free ConsultationDisability
Request Free Consult
5

Brent Adams & Associates

RaleighEstablished firmDisability, injury, workers' comp

Serving the Raleigh area for decades, with a practice that includes Social Security disability and related injury matters.

Free ConsultationDisability
Request Free Consult
6

Burch & Rodgers

RaleighSmall firmDisability, workers' comp

A Raleigh practice handling Social Security disability and workers' compensation claims for Triangle-area clients.

Free ConsultationDisability
Request Free Consult

See the full ranked write-up in our Top 10 disability lawyers in Raleigh guide. Firm details are gathered from public sources including Super Lawyers, Avvo, and Justia; ratings not shown are not yet aggregated.

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Disability in Raleigh — FAQ

How much does a disability lawyer cost in Raleigh?
Nothing up front. The fee is capped by Social Security at 25% of your past-due benefits or $9,200, whichever is less, paid from your back pay only if you win. Records may cost extra.
Where is the disability hearing held in Raleigh?
Hearings are held before a Social Security Administrative Law Judge at the Raleigh hearing office (Office of Hearings Operations), and many now take place by phone or video. If you appeal past the agency, the case goes to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
What is the difference between SSDI and SSI?
SSDI is based on the work credits you earned paying into Social Security. SSI is based on financial need for people with limited income and assets. Some people qualify for both; a lawyer can tell you which applies.
Should I appeal a disability denial in North Carolina?
Almost always yes. You have 60 days from a denial to request the next level, and most North Carolina claims are won only at the hearing stage. Starting a new application usually just delays your case and your back pay.
Can I get disability for a mental health condition?
Yes. Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and similar conditions can qualify when records show they prevent you from working. Because these claims lean on treatment notes, consistent care and documentation are important.

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