Massachusetts Disability Lawyer: SSDI & SSI Claims and Appeals

Looking for a Massachusetts disability lawyer who can help you win your SSDI or SSI claim? Attorney Mark Horrigan has spent over 30 years helping disabled workers throughout Massachusetts secure the Social Security Disability benefits they deserve. Whether you’re filing an initial application or appealing a denied claim, our disability law firm provides experienced, compassionate representation you can trust. We serve clients in Lynn, Boston, and communities across Massachusetts.

Why Hire a Massachusetts Disability Lawyer?

Navigating the Social Security Disability system without legal help can be overwhelming. The application process is complex, the medical documentation requirements are strict, and most initial claims are denied. A qualified disability attorney can significantly improve your chances of approval by ensuring your application is complete, gathering the right medical evidence, and representing you at hearings if necessary.

Attorney Mark Horrigan: 30+ Years Winning Disability Cases

  • Over 30 years of focused experience in disability law
  • Proven track record with SSDI and SSI appeals
  • Free initial consultation – no obligation
  • No fee unless we win your case
  • Serving Lynn, Boston, and all of Massachusetts
  • Bilingual staff (Se habla Español)

“After months of frustration, Attorney Horrigan got my disability claim approved. I only wish I called him sooner.”
— Jane M., Lynn, MA

SSDI vs. SSI: Which Disability Benefit Do You Qualify For?

The Social Security Administration offers two main disability programs:

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) – For workers who have paid into Social Security through payroll taxes. To qualify, you must be “currently insured” at the time of disability onset—generally meaning you’ve paid Social Security taxes for at least 20 of the last 40 calendar quarters. Your benefit amount depends on your work history and earnings record.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – A needs-based program for individuals with limited income and resources (no more than $2,000 in assets for individuals, $3,000 for couples) who are disabled, blind, or age 65+. Unlike SSDI, SSI does not require a work history.

Both programs have strict medical requirements—your condition must prevent you from working and be expected to last at least 12 months. Benefit amounts vary based on your work history and contributions to the Social Security system. Our Massachusetts disability lawyers can evaluate which program you may qualify for and help maximize your benefits.

Social Security Disability Eligibility Requirements in Massachusetts

You may qualify for SSDI or SSI benefits if you:

  • Are a U.S. citizen or have qualifying legal immigration status
  • Cannot perform substantial gainful activity due to a medical condition
  • Have a disability expected to last at least 12 months or result in death
  • Have sufficient work history (for SSDI) or meet income/asset limits (for SSI)

Children under 18 may also qualify for SSI if they are blind or have functional limitations that are marked as severe by SSA regulations.

The SSA’s 5-Step Evaluation Process

The Social Security Administration uses a five-step sequential evaluation to determine disability:

  1. Substantial Gainful Activity – Are you currently working and earning above the SGA limit? If so, the claim is denied.
  2. Severity of Impairments – Are your impairments severe enough to significantly limit your physical or mental ability to do basic work activities? If not, the claim is denied.
  3. Medical Listings – Does your condition meet or equal a listing in the SSA’s Blue Book? If so, benefits are awarded.
  4. Past Work – Considering all impairments, can you still perform any work you’ve done in the past 15 years? If so, the claim is denied.
  5. Other Work – Considering your impairments, age, education, and work experience, can you adjust to other work that exists in the national economy? If yes, the claim is denied. If no, benefits are awarded.

Important: The burden of proof is on you (the claimant) during steps 1 through 4. At step 5, the burden shifts to the SSA to prove that work exists in the national economy that you can perform.

Other factors that can strengthen your case include advanced age, lack of transferable skills, objective medical evidence, and physical or mental limitations incompatible with available jobs. Having a disability attorney guide you through this process can help avoid common mistakes that lead to denials.


Once you’ve confirmed you meet these requirements, the next step is filing a complete, well-documented application — which is where most claims run into trouble.

How to Apply for Social Security Disability Benefits

You can apply for SSDI or SSI in three ways: online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. Before you apply, gather:

  • Your Social Security number and birth certificate
  • Medical records, including doctor and hospital contact information, dates of treatment, and medication lists
  • A work history summary (jobs held in the last 15 years)
  • W-2 forms or self-employment tax returns from the past year

After you file, the SSA forwards your case to Disability Determination Services (DDS), which reviews your medical evidence and may request a consultative exam.

Common reasons applications are delayed or denied at this stage: incomplete medical records, gaps in treatment history, or failing to list all conditions. An attorney reviewing your application before submission can catch these issues early — before they cost you months in appeals.

Even a strong, complete application can be denied for reasons that have nothing to do with the severity of your condition. Here’s what to do if that happens.

Disability Claim Denied? How Our SSDI Appeal Lawyers Can Help

If your Social Security Disability claim was denied, you’re not alone—and you’re not out of options. Many valid claims are denied initially. You have 60 days to request reconsideration, and if denied again, you can appeal before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).

Attorney Horrigan has decades of experience representing Massachusetts disability claimants through every stage of the appeals process:

  1. Reconsideration – A fresh review of your claim by someone who wasn’t involved in the initial decision
  2. ALJ Hearing – An in-person hearing where we present evidence and testimony on your behalf
  3. Appeals Council Review – Review of the ALJ’s decision for legal errors
  4. Federal Court – Final option if all administrative appeals are exhausted

How Marriage Affects Your Social Security Disability Benefits

Marriage can impact SSI eligibility if your combined household income or resources exceed program limits. However, SSDI benefits based on your own work record are generally unaffected by marital status. If you have questions about how marriage, divorce, or your spouse’s income might affect your disability benefits, our attorneys can explain how these rules apply to your specific situation.


No matter where you are in the process, having a firm that knows the local system — and is easy to reach — matters.

Social Security Disability Lawyer Serving Lynn, MA and the North Shore

Horrigan & Norman is based in Lynn, Massachusetts, and represents disability claimants throughout Essex County and the North Shore — including Lynn, Salem, Peabody, and Revere — as well as clients across Greater Boston. If your SSDI or SSI hearing is scheduled at the Boston or Lawrence hearing office, our attorneys are familiar with local ALJs and typical wait times in this region.

Here are answers to the questions we hear most often from clients throughout the North Shore and Greater Boston.

Frequently Asked Questions About Social Security Disability

Do I need a lawyer for my disability claim?

While you can apply for Social Security Disability without a lawyer, statistics show that applicants with legal representation are significantly more likely to be approved—especially at the appeals stage. An experienced disability attorney can help gather medical evidence, ensure paperwork is complete, and represent you at hearings before an Administrative Law Judge. At Horrigan & Norman, consultations are free and you pay no fee unless we win your case.

How long does it take to get approved for SSDI?

Initial SSDI decisions typically take 3 to 6 months. If denied and you appeal, the process can take 1 to 2 years or longer depending on hearing backlogs in your area. In Massachusetts, wait times for ALJ hearings vary by office. Having an attorney can help avoid delays caused by incomplete applications or missing medical records.

What if my claim is denied?

If your claim is denied, you may request reconsideration within 60 days or appeal to an Administrative Law Judge. Don’t give up—many valid claims are denied initially but approved on appeal. An attorney can help with every stage of the process.

Can I work while receiving SSDI or SSI?

Yes, within limits. SSDI allows a “trial work period” of up to 9 months where you can test your ability to work without losing benefits, as long as you continue to have a qualifying disability. For SSI, earned income reduces your benefit amount on a sliding scale once you exceed certain thresholds. Because these rules are easy to misapply, it’s worth talking to an attorney before accepting new work while your claim is active or your benefits are ongoing.

Can I qualify for both SSDI and SSI at the same time?

Yes — this is called “concurrent benefits.” It applies if you qualify for SSDI based on your work history but your monthly SSDI payment is low enough that you also meet SSI’s strict income and asset limits. Many claimants don’t realize they may be eligible for both until an attorney reviews their full financial and work history.

Does my disability have to be permanent to qualify?

No. Social Security requires that your condition be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death — it does not need to be permanent. Even conditions that may eventually improve can qualify if they meet this durational requirement and prevent you from working during that time.

What mental health conditions qualify for Social Security Disability?

The SSA recognizes a range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, provided there is medical documentation showing the condition significantly limits your ability to function in a work setting. Mental health claims are often more heavily scrutinized than physical claims, so thorough treatment records and a treating provider’s statement are especially important.

Free Consultation: No Fee Unless We Win Your Disability Case

We understand that financial concerns can make it difficult to seek legal help. That’s why Horrigan & Norman offers:

  • Free initial consultations – Get answers to your questions at no cost
  • Contingency fee representation – You pay nothing unless we win your case
  • Bilingual services – Se habla Español

Contact a Massachusetts Disability Lawyer Today

If you need help applying for Social Security Disability benefits or appealing a denied claim anywhere in Massachusetts, contact Attorney Mark Horrigan today for a free consultation.

📞 781-691-5769 | Contact us online

Se habla Español – información en español sobre elegibilidad para SSDI y SSI