General information only. Disability Prep is not a law firm, does not give legal advice, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration. Details about other companies come from their own websites as of October 2026 and may change.
If your health has pushed you out of work in your 50s or early 60s, the idea of applying for disability can feel like a lot. The good news is that you have choices. Some help is free. Some costs money now. Some costs money only if your claim is won. This page lays them out side by side so you can pick what fits you.
Quick comparison
| Option | Cost to you | What you get | What you still do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doing it yourself | Free. There is no fee to file. | Full control | Everything: records, dates, deadlines, follow-up |
| Help from family or a friend | Free | Someone to help you stay organized and remember details | Most of the work, with support |
| Local legal aid office | Free, if you meet its rules | Possible legal help from a lawyer or staff | Depends on the office. Waitlists are common. |
| Disability Prep | Free self-check, screening, and preparation tools | Help getting organized, plus an optional connection with a participating advocate or representative if you say yes | You prepare and apply, unless you choose to work with a representative |
| disabilityfiled.com | Free guided intake. Optional one-time flat fee for a printable packet. | An organized summary of your own answers and a list of gaps to fill | You fill in and submit the application yourself |
| Allsup | No fee unless benefits are awarded. Fee is set under Social Security rules. | A disability representative that handles the claim with you | Share records and information, attend any exams or hearings |
| Disability lawyer or other advocate | Usually no up-front fee. Usually paid from back pay only if you win. | Someone who represents you | Share records and information, attend any exams or hearings |
Free options
Doing it yourself
Anyone can apply for SSDI on their own, and there is no fee to file. Many people do. The work is real, though. You will need to gather medical records, list your doctors and jobs, keep track of dates, and respond to letters on time.
May fit if: you are organized, your records are easy to get, and you have time.
Our posts on what to have ready before you start and medical records that help can help.
Help from family or a friend
A spouse, adult child, or friend can help you gather records, keep a symptom journal, and remember appointments. This is free, but they are not representing you unless you formally appoint them.
May fit if: you have someone you trust with time to help.
A local legal aid office
Legal aid offices give free legal help to people who meet their rules, which are often based on income. Some help with disability claims, and some focus on appeals. What they offer and how long the wait is varies a lot by area.
May fit if: your income is low and there is an office near you that takes disability cases.
Disability Prep (that's us)
Disability Prep offers a free self-check, a free screening, and free preparation tools to help you organize your medical records, work history, and daily limits before you apply. Our tools cost nothing, with no hidden fees or charges. We are not a law firm, we do not give legal advice, and we do not represent anyone.
If you want more help, our screening lets you choose to be connected with a participating disability advocate or representative. That is optional. Your information is not shared unless you give separate permission. If you are connected with a representative, ask them to explain their fees in writing.
May fit if: you want to get organized first and decide later whether you want a representative.
Paid options
disabilityfiled.com
disabilityfiled.com describes itself as a document preparation and organization service. Here is what its own site says:
- It offers a free guided intake in plain language about your conditions, treatment, work history, and daily limits. It scores how complete your information is and flags missing pieces.
- It sells an optional printable packet for a one-time flat fee. The packet organizes your answers so you can use it while you complete the official forms yourself. It offers a 30-day full refund on one-time purchases.
- It says it never takes a percentage of your back pay or monthly benefits.
- It says it is not a law firm, does not give legal advice, does not represent anyone, and is not affiliated with Social Security.
May fit if: you plan to apply on your own and want a structured, self-paced way to organize your information, and a flat fee works for you.
Allsup
Allsup describes itself as a disability representative, not a law firm. Here is what its own site says:
- It represents people with SSDI claims across the country, from the application through hearings, and involves attorneys at certain points.
- It charges a fee only if benefits are awarded. The fee follows Social Security's standard fee rules and is usually withheld from your past-due benefits, so there is no up-front cost.
- It says it does not charge extra for expenses such as travel or collecting medical records.
- It has been in business for over 40 years and also offers other services, such as help with Medicare choices and return-to-work support.
May fit if: you want a representative to handle your claim with you from the start and are comfortable with a fee from back pay if you win.
A disability lawyer or another advocate
Disability lawyers and non-attorney advocates can both represent you with Social Security. Fees for disability claims are set by federal rules, must be authorized by Social Security, and usually come out of back pay only if the claim is won. Some charge separately for costs like medical records. Only a lawyer can take a case to federal court. Our page on SSDI advocate vs lawyer explains the difference.
May fit if: you want someone to represent you, especially after a denial or before a hearing.
How to choose
Ask yourself:
- How much time and energy do I have right now? If your health makes paperwork hard, more help may be worth it.
- How easy are my records to get? Many doctors, many years, or missing records can make doing it alone harder.
- Have I been denied before? After a denial, deadlines matter, and many people choose a representative. See what happens after a denial.
- What will it cost, and when? Get every fee and cost in writing before you sign anything.
- Do I want to stay in control or hand off the work? Self-help tools keep you in charge. A representative takes on more of the work.
No option can promise a result. Only Social Security decides claims. Whatever you choose, steady medical care and clear, honest records help most.
Thinking about your next step?
If you are 50 to 63, out of work because of your health, and not getting benefits yet, our free screening takes a few minutes.