No lawyers will take my cade because of my age. What do I do?

https://socialsecurity.findlaw.com/social-security...

My (late) husband handled Social Security cases for over 45 years before he died. With SS or SSI, then it is done on a contingency basis, that if SS awards you (win), then both get paid, or denied, then both get nothing.

My guess is that because of your age (plus) you have not worked, then they know that your case maybe difficult to win, plus with SSI, the lawyers fee is much less. From what I remember, very few people won on the 1st try, but usually had to (appeal) several times before they were awarded. I think he had 1 client that appealed (6) times, that was over a course of about 10 to 12 years of waiting.

Your doctors "opinion" does not matter. They get all of your medical records from all doctors that have treated you and (if) you meet the "listings"" of that disorder or diagnosis, then you must meet all the requirements to be awarded. AS an example, google listings PTSD and see what they require. Now, in many cases if you have a hearing before a judge, then they usually have a vocational person there that can determine if in fact you can work or not in (any) job.

I do remember him telling me that he had many clients that he "believed" were unwinnable, but took them anyway, since with each new client, may get another one that was referred to him from a client that was winnable. But, then those that he "thought" was losers, then got awarded, so, realized, you just take the chance and see if you get lucky or not.

Regardless, you will need to call and set up an appointment in person with a lawyer. You may have to call a dozen or so to find one, that "might" take you as a client. .

My doctor is filling pit a form with her opinion if i can work or notm she is waiting for my airiam diagnosis before answering it. I have so many disorders. Binge eating disorder, tourettes, adhd, ptsd, ocd, social anxiety, i have phobias, learning disability, dyscalculia, and probablt more. I'm only guessing my age was a factor because it seems like that's when they decide they won't take me. This other law firm was doing an intake for me and it stopped him from completing it once it hit my age

I doubt it's because of your age. You don't state what this case is about but lawyers will usually jump at the chance to take a good case on contingency. So it's likely these attorneys just don't believe your case is a winner.

There are really only two reasons why you'd find it hard to get a lawyer to take a case.

(1) You can't afford to pay them.

(2) The case is really REALLY fatally flawed in a super obvious way. (Though, really, if you're got the money, some lawyers will take it on anyways.)

Your age has nothing to do with it. My guess would be that the issue here is #1.

You should find out what legal supports are available for that process, in your jurisdiction. (Legal aid?) The unfortunate reality is that lawyers are expensive, and they don't generally work for cheap.

You wouldn't have worked nearly long enough at your age to be eligible for social security disability.

Youd only be eligible for ssi

Because they likely believe you don't have a case.

To be able to be eligible for social security under the age of 31 is very rare, and usually requires a severe disability like blindness, but you also still have had to worked so many work credits before the date of the disability, and the younger you are, the harder that is to meet.

If you are confused why they won't take your case, why don't you ask them why? Because I am sure they will tell you if they think that you have no case.

That said, I think "autism" might actually qualify, but it probably depends on how severe it is and how impairing it is to your life, and ability to work. You wrote this question very coherently, so I don't know if you have good days and bad days, but perhaps the medical reports indicate or infer you're not totally disabled, and thus perhaps the lawyers do not believe you would be able to have an early qualification for eligibility to SSI/SSDI benefits. There then is the additional "work credits" requirement, which you usually have to worked so many months after turning 18, and before the age of disability. If you've never worked, I think there might be some exception only if you were on SSDI already as a minor dependent, but I am not a social security lawyer, so you really should ask one of the lawyers you've been talking to, or find a new one, and ask them.

I do know though, that a diagnosis of a disorder alone is not enough. You also have to be deemed "disabled" by a medical professional. And autism has a very large spectrum for purposes of how much impairment and disability it may cause. For example, a young autistic woman recently made the news because she passed the bar and became licensed to practice law in Florida and people that knew her from law school and internships, said she was very capable and believed she would make a fantastic lawyer, so maybe the doctors indicate that you're not disabled and that would be necessary to be able to be eligible for early SSDI. Good luck.