When I filed about 15 years ago, the law said that the lawyer only collected his or her fee IF the client was actually approved for Disability. That's how I remember it, anyway. I do know that I paid NO money up front. When I was approved -- it took me a couple of years, so don't know how things are going now. It could go faster or slower for other people. If you get approved, the lawyer takes his fee, which is a legally determined percentage of your first check. Same percentage for everyone who is approved for Social Security Disability. Your Federal Senators have special people who deal mainly - or only -- with Social Security. I suggest that you call your favorite Senator's office and request to speak to the Social Security specialist there. Don't take my word for it -- my info may be out of date. Go straight to your Federal Senator and ask how it works. An interesting wrinkle in my case was that it took a very long time, and the attorney (who was recommended as a good one, by my mental health clinic therapist) was almost impossible for me to get ahold of.. I called Social Security office, and was told that my file had been "misplaced," and had been sent somewhere in St. Louis. To me that meant "lost," but SS claimed it was not lost, they just didn't know where it was....HO Ho to that. So I called my Senator's Social Security specialist -- and I had my first check the very next week.

Info about how to contact your Senator:
Tips on Calling Your Member of Congress

civilrights.org/action_center/resources/calling-congress.html

* Although you may find it easiest to always call the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 to reach your senators or representative, you can also find the direct number to any member's office by consulting the Senate phone list or House phone list.

If you know who your representative is but you are unable to contact them using their contact form, the Clerk of the House maintains addresses and phone numbers of all House members and Committees, or you may call (202)225-3121 for the U.S. House switchboard operator.
Find Your Representative · House.gov - U.S. House of Representatives

Find Your Representative · House.gov