Social Security & Medicare

What exactly do you mean here? You're using a paralegal? Some random non attorney?

Attorneys who handle SS claims are as real attorneys as any others. I know. I used to work for an attorney who did SS disability denial claims. They are not paid up front. They get a percentage of what the client finally gets in back benefits, up to some certain specific amounts. She only took on those she was confident had been wrongly denied, and that she could actually help.

I do know that the reason most people are denied at first is NOT because they always deny the first request, but that people doing this on their own simply don't have a clue how much documentation is actually needed. A simple note from your doctor won't suffice. You need to give them copies of every procedure, every doctor visit, every medication, fill out a lengthy and detailed account of how you manage day to day. I spent most of my time at a local SS office photocopying piles and piles of documents.