If anything, when applying for SSDI, find an attorney that works on a contingency basis, i.e. does not get paid unless (s)he wins your case. That way, the most you will pay out-of-pocket are administrative fees (mostly for photocopying medical records. Make sure you get a schedule of those fees up front).

The way my attorney explained it to me, if he wins my appeal, social security will take 25 per cent off the top, up to a maximum of $6000.00, for the attorney's If the 25% is more than $6000, he will only get $6000.

I'd check with you community's bar association, or legal aid society for a list of SSDI legal practictioners. Once you make a decision on who to hire, I'd ask the attorney if they could file the initial claim for you, since those forms are extremely confusing.