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Social Security Disability Attorneys in Burlington, VT

Burlington residents whose health prevents steady work are frequently denied Social Security Disability on the first try. A Vermont-licensed disability attorney will review your application or appeal for free.

  • Free to use — no fee unless you win
  • Matched with a Vermont attorney in 24 hours
  • 30,000+ plaintiffs served nationwide

Free Burlington social security disability case review

A Vermont attorney will take a look. Or call 1-833-WELEGAL.

First Name
Last Name
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Social Security DisabilityWhat do you want to file?
Date of Birth
Describe your case

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How we match your Burlington social security disability case

When you submit a Burlington social security disability matter, we route it through a national network of independent partner firms and put it in front of the one that fits best — based on the kind of case it is, what it is likely to involve, where it has to be handled, and who has capacity to take it on now.

  1. Case type

    A social security disability matter needs someone who handles social security disability work day to day, not a generalist. Practice area is the first filter.

  2. Size and complexity

    Some firms are built for catastrophic injury and multi-party litigation; others resolve straightforward claims quickly. We weigh what your matter is likely to involve against how each firm actually works.

  3. Federal jurisdiction

    This is federal law, so an attorney does not need to be licensed in Vermont to represent you — but they do need to know how your local office and courts handle these cases.

  4. Capacity and fit

    Availability, conflicts of interest and language all matter. If the best-fit firm cannot take your case, we route it to the next one that can — or tell you plainly when no one in the network is the right answer.

Every partner reviews your case for free. Injury and workers’ compensation matters are handled on contingency — no fee unless you win. Other matters are quoted upfront, before you commit to anything.

DearLegal provides marketing and matching services and is not a law firm. Submitting a case does not create an attorney-client relationship. Matches depend on case type, jurisdiction and firm availability.

Social Security Disability cases in Burlington

More about legal help in Burlington

Burlington and greater Chittenden County workers in healthcare, food service, warehousing, and manufacturing often reach a point where a chronic condition or injury ends full-time work. SSDI and SSI are federal programs run by the Social Security Administration, not Vermont court matters, so applications and reconsiderations go through SSA and denied claims move to a hearing before a federal administrative law judge, now commonly held by video or phone for Vermont claimants. Records from local hospitals and clinics carry real weight. DearLegal matches you with a Vermont-licensed attorney who handles social security disability cases in Burlington, with a free review.

  • SSDI and SSI are federal benefits decided by the Social Security Administration, not by Vermont Superior Court in Chittenden County.
  • Denied Burlington claims are appealed to a federal administrative law judge, with hearings frequently conducted by video or telephone.
  • Treatment records from Burlington-area hospitals, clinics, and mental health providers are the core evidence in most Vermont claims.

Vermont social security disability rules at a glance

Burlington cases run under Vermont law. The full walkthrough — timeline, when to call, case types, and what a recovery can include — is on the Vermont page.

Read the full Vermont social security disability guide →
Federal Authority

SSDI

Social Security Act, Title II (SSDI) and Title XVI (SSI) — 42 U.S.C. § 401 et seq. and § 1381 et seq.

SSA Hearing Offices

OHO hearing

OHO hearing office serving Vermont (often Burlington-area or by video)

Vermont Disability Determination Service (DDS)

DDS makes

Vermont DDS makes initial and reconsideration medical decisions on behalf of SSA

State SSI Supplement

Vermont pays

Vermont pays a state SSI supplement on top of federal SSI through DCF

Federal Attorney Fee Cap

25%

25% of past-due benefits, capped at $9,200 (effective Nov 2024, adjusts with COLA) — 42 U.S.C. § 406

Typical attorney fee

25%

25% of Back Pay (Max $9,200) — paid only from past-due benefits

Exhibit D

How much do Burlington social security disability attorneys cost?

Sample settlement statement

Vermont · Social Security Disability

Recovery$100,000
Attorney fee · 25% of back pay− $25,000
Case costs (advanced by firm)repaid at the end
To you$75,000
Due today$0
$5,000$3,000,000

Illustrative only. Your fee terms are set in a written agreement with your attorney and may include costs and expenses regardless of outcome.

Most Vermont social security disability attorneys work on contingency: the fee is a share of what they recover, and nothing if they don’t.

Federal law caps SSDI/SSI attorney fees at 25% of past-due benefits, with a hard maximum of $9,200 (effective Nov 2024, adjusts with the cost-of-living). SSA must approve every fee agreement. You pay nothing out of pocket and nothing from your ongoing monthly benefit — the fee comes only from back pay, and only if you win. If there is no back pay, there is no fee.

A good attorney walks through every number at your free consultation — before you sign anything.

Start my free case reviewTakes about two minutes. No obligation.

Exhibit F

Burlington social security disability questions, answered

Still unsure? Tell us what happened and a Vermont attorney will review it for free.

No. SSDI and SSI are federal programs administered by the Social Security Administration. Appeals go through SSA's own process and then to a federal administrative law judge, so Vermont Superior Court is not involved in deciding whether you are disabled.
No. Most first applications are denied, and many claims are ultimately approved on appeal. There are strict appeal windows after each denial, so read the notice carefully and get help promptly rather than starting over with a new application.
Consistent, ongoing treatment records that show how your condition limits sitting, standing, lifting, concentration, and attendance. Statements from treating providers about specific functional limits usually help far more than a diagnosis alone.
SSDI (Title II) is based on your work history and the FICA taxes you’ve paid — generally 40 work credits with 20 in the last 10 years. SSI (Title XVI) is needs-based; no work credits required but income and resources must be very low (generally under $2,000 in countable assets for an individual). Vermont SSI recipients also receive a state supplement and automatic Vermont Medicaid (Green Mountain Care).
Initial decisions from Vermont DDS typically take 6–8 months. Reconsideration adds several more. ALJ hearings for Vermont claimants currently run roughly 12+ months from the hearing request. Compassionate Allowance and TERI flags speed things up.

Social Security Disability attorneys by city in Vermont

Same Vermont rules and the same attorneys — with what’s local to each city.

Other case types in Burlington

All Burlington practice areas →