What is a Disability Advocate?    

A Disability Advocate, also known as a Disability Consultant or non-attorney Representative, is a specially trained individual who assists others who are applying for Social Security disability benefits.

What does an Advocate do?

The duties of a Disability Advocate involve the execution of both formal and informal procedures on behalf of an applicant for Social Security disability benefits.  These actions include, but are not limited to, the assessment of a case to determine the approximate percent chance of winning, and the development of a case by requesting copies of the client's medical records. 

After receiving the records, they are evaluated by the advocate and used to create a written argument based on the findings.  Finally, the advocate submits the written argument to Social Security for consideration.  By law, Social Security must consider the advocate's argument before making a final decision.  If the advocate's argument is properly structured and supported by the evidence, it can greatly enhance the client's chances of winning benefits. 


Who created disability advocacy?

The field of disability advocacy was created by Congress and is administered by the Social Security Administration. These origins are important because they directly address both the validity and potential of this field. 
 

Is this a work-at-home scheme?

Disability advocacy is not a franchise, business opportunity or work-at-home scheme.  While our program does enable you to start and operate a business from home, it also has the added advantage of an existing infrastructure created and supported by Social Security.  The need for disability advocates is generated by the system and is not diminished by time or over-saturation as is true with most business opportunities.  These characteristics make disability advocacy as much a reliable career as it is an opportunity for you to own your own business.

Couldn't I learn this by reading the Federal Code?

Absolutely not!  The Federal Code of regulations is just that, regulations.  It is not designed to teach you the important fundamentals required to successfully represent a disability claim.  The regulations also do not address the important business and marketing aspects of this service that are essential for commercial success.

Do I work for Social Security?   

No.  As a Disability Advocate, you are self-employed. 
 

How do I qualify to be a Disability Advocate?  

CFR regulation 404.1705(b):  To qualify as a Disability Advocate, Social Security requires the following:

*  You must be of good character.
*  You cannot be a current Federal employee working with SSA.
*  You cannot have been disqualified to represent a client by SSA.
*  You must have the knowledge required to render valuable service.

Acquiring the knowledge needed to render valuable service to your clients is what our Disability Advocate training program is all about.  If you wish to be certified in this field, there are additional qualifications you must meet.

Do I need a degree to practice or to be certified?

No!  There are websites out there claiming that you must have a degree to practice or be certified as a disability advocate.  This is completely incorrect!  Applicants who do not have a bachelor's degree may satisfy the prerequisites based on a combination of training and work experience.  SSA Certification is offered via CPS Human Resource Services which is an internal government agency.  Qualification for those with and without degrees can be found at: http://www.cps.ca.gov/tlc/ssa/education.asp. 

Disability Associates recently completed a student survey on the question of education vs. success.  We found no direct correlation between education and success in this field.  However, we did find a correlation between work ethic, perseverance and training.  It appears that these three elements are the key to success in this field.  This means that with our training, even those with just a high-school education can practice and succeed in this field.  Trust your training to the only company that has the reputation, experience and know-how to guide you to success.  That company is Disability Associates, Inc. 

Will SSA cooperate with me?   

If you meet SSA basic qualifications as a disability advocate, they have no choice!   Social Security’s own regulations have made it possible for advocates to assist those applying for disability benefits.  You can expect full cooperation from Social Security because your authority to represent comes directly from your clients and the Federal Code.

Who Certifies Advocates?

Non-attorney disability advocates are currently certified by the Social Security Administration under a five year pilot program.  There are a number of requirements including the taking of an examination.  We no longer offer our course certification because we feel that this would be misleading and inappropriate during Social Security's pilot certification program.  If Social Security decides not to keep the pilot program, we'll once again institute our course certification program.  We do provide a course certificate and a certification preparation tool called the Exam Primer.  Please keep in mind that certification as a disability advocate remains optional and is not a requirement for participation in this field. 

Will my advocacy service be independent?

There are companies that will employ you to represent cases for them.  Under a restrictive contract and In exchange for your hard work, you’ll be offered some type of fee sharing arrangement.  Not only is this approach less profitable for you, it may result in problems with Social Security.  Given the number of disability applicants, working for someone else makes absolutely no sense.  Fee sharing and other indirect payment schemes significantly reduce the income potential of this service and can potentially cause conflicts with Social Security.

What kind of background do I need?

No particular background or education is required in this field.  Having a Social Security or medical background would be a plus, but is not required for success.  Most of our students are not Social Security or medical professionals, and they still succeed!  One of the reasons for this success is our exclusive non-medical case evaluation techniques.  This unique operational technique enables anyone to effectively review complex medical documentation without the need for formal medical training.  No matter what your background, our program can provide you with a new level of financial and professional satisfaction.

Examiner Based Training?

There is a firm offering training based on a single individuals experience as a Social Security Examiner.  Examiners and other Social Security clerks are not qualified to offer training in this field.  In many states you can become an Examiner with little more than a high school diploma.   A Social Security Examiner is also not allowed to make a disability decision on his own.  All cases handled by Examiners must be reviewed by a medical specialist before he is allowed to complete a case.  Disability Examiners often lack the critical knowledge and outside advocate experience needed to help you succeed.  If Social Security won't allow an Examiner to make a solo decision, how wise would it be to entrust your training to a course based primarily on this background?  To learn more, visit the Security segment of our Website.

Aren’t all Advocate training programs basically the same?

Advocate training programs are not created equal!  The technical and operational approaches offered in our course are unique.  We offer an exclusive curriculum that is continually revised in order to keep our students at the cutting edge of this industry.  Like no other training program on the market, our course goes far beyond the fundamentals of just representing a disability claim.  Our program also focuses on the important business, marketing, operational and income boosting aspects of this service that will help you succeed regardless of location, experience or level of competition. 

What about free training offers?

Our course is designed for those who which to become self-employed disability advocates.  Acquiring training from a free source usually requires that you relinquish your independence and share the profits generated by your hard work. This approach forces you to be dependent upon others for leads and you'll never learn the intricacies of this business.  Fee sharing is also an important part of these so-called free training programs. The only way that a free training source can make money off you is to take a portion of your advocate fee.  Not only is fee sharing unacceptable to Social Security, it also greatly reduces your income potential. Our course enables you to practice as an independent advocate without the strings and outside obligations associated with fee sharing approaches. 

Innovation is Key

As is true of most professions, success belongs to those who innovate.  Disability Associates is the only training source that continually seeks new ways of improving both the quality and effectiveness of our training and operational techniques.  Instead of copying other trainers, we focus on creating custom techniques based on real-life situations faced by advocates on a daily basis.  No other training source can provide you with the depth of knowledge, business insights and unique operational software provided in our training packages.  
 

Do I have to meet with each client?   

Not if you use our approach!  Our program shows you how to practice in the most efficient way possible.  We do not recommend that our students meet with each and every client because to do so would be an inefficient way of doing business.   We also provide training in what we call remote representation.  These techniques enable you to accept cases from across town or across the country.

SSA told me that they help the claimant to apply?  

Social Security will help a claimant complete the application process, but it does not represent the specific interests of that claimant.  A Disability Advocate does represent the specific interests of the claimant and will actively seek to present the best case possible for Social Security's consideration.  This is a far cry from simply helping a person fill out forms. 

SSA said that they have never heard of Disability Associates.   

According to Social Security’s regulations, you’re not allowed to represent a case in a company's name.  Only an individual can represent another individual in the disability process.  Since we do not represent cases as Disability Associates there is no reason for them to have heard of us. 
 

SSA told me that they have never heard of disability advocacy. 

Occasionally, you'll be told by a Social Security employee that they have never heard of disability advocacy.  If this occurs, don't panic!  Social Security refers to advocates as non-attorney representatives.  Use the term non-attorney representative when contacting Social Security for information about this field.  Keep in mind that disability advocacy is the government's best kept secret and will not be widely known or understood by anyone, including most Social Security employees. 

Is there a market for this service?  

Disabled and Waiting - CBS Evening News

Nationwide, there is an enormous untapped pool of potential customers desperately in need of sound representational services.  In addition to more than two million new applicants a year, there are literally hundreds of thousands of previously denied applicants seeking appeals.  Taken together, these sources represent a nearly inexhaustible supply of potential customers for your service.  Add the fact that a large portion of the American population is aging; and you can begin to understand the underlying demographics driving this industry.
 

Is there growth potential?  

You bet there is!  Due in large part to the aging of our population and the public's growing awareness of the disability program, a steadily expanding market is being generated that ensures the future of disability advocates for generations to come.

What about competition?  

Today, there are a growing number of both attorney and non-attorney disability advocates offering representational services to the general public.  To compete successfully now more than ever, you need the innovative marketing and operational techniques offered in our course.  Disability Associates is the only training source that can provide you with long-term, proven solutions to today's marketing challenges!  No matter what market you’re in big city or small, our marketing techniques will enable you to beat the competition and consistently attract as many qualified customers as you desire.  See Marketing.

SSA told me that only attorneys can represent claimants.   

To represent a disabled client, you do not have to be or work for an attorney!  If you did have to be an attorney, Social Security’s own rules for practicing as a non-attorney representative would make no sense.  Keep in mind that Social Security would not create rules and regulations for a service that does not exist!
 

Are we in competition with attorneys?

Attorneys practice law, we practice disability advocacy.  Our approach to both the business and practice of disability representation is totally different from that of attorneys and most other advocates in the field.  We have also developed a totally unique method of evaluating disability claims that we call the policy or common sense approach to representation.  Our policy approach eliminates the need to perform time consuming research, annotation and case modeling.  Our approach uses a logical case review system coupled with our exclusive case evaluation formula.  Our formula enables you to reach the same conclusion in half the time.  You can also bypass most complicated reference materials saving you hours of work.  Our course is specifically designed to enable you to win more cases with less work over a shorter period of time. 
 

Who can buy your training?

Most advocate trainers could care less who buys their materials.  These trainers will sell their products to anybody because they have nothing new or original to offer.  Disability Associates limits the sale of its operational materials to students only!   By limiting access to our materials, we prevent the widespread distribution of our custom operational procedures.  We feel that it's more important to protect our students by making sure that our procedures are not widely available to others.  This unusual sales policy helps to retain the inherent advantages of our custom approach to the practice of disability advocacy. 

Why would anyone pay me for this service? 

A disability applicant's benefits can exceed $1400 a month in tax free cash payments, plus assistance with medical and hospital costs that could exceed a million dollars in total benefits.  If you don't think this is motivation enough for a disabled person to seek your help, add the fact that Social Security’s own research shows that a person has a much greater chance of receiving benefits with representation.  Couple that with the ease and efficiency of our system and you have the ingredients for a highly successful advocacy service.

How much will I be paid?   

The actual amount paid for representing a disability case differs depending upon a number of case factors, including the onset of the impairment and the client's income history.  Our average fee is approximately $2000 per case with a generous maximum fee potential of $5,300.  

Who pays me?

You're paid by the client you represent under what is essentially a three way contract with you, the client and SSA.  Social Security also allows certified advocates to be paid directly under their pilot program.  In order to be certified you must be an experienced advocate and pass Social Security’s certification examination.  Our program is specifically designed to prepare you for this optional examination.  But, we don't stop there!  Within the Executive course, we also provide a very special software program called the Examination Primer.  Even if you're a poor test taker, this exclusive software will help you to prepare and improve your odds of passing the certification examination on your first attempt.

How do I protect my fee?  

Forget about collections, credit reports and all of that.  Our exclusive fee protection techniques take ten minutes to implement and it doesn't cost you a dime! 

Can a disabled person afford this service?  

The popular myth is that anyone applying for disability benefits is poverty stricken and unable to afford representation.  The reality is that the majority of applicants are no different than we are.  The average applicant is a working individual who, as a result of an acute injury or illness, is no longer able to sustain work.   By the year 2020, one in four Americans over the age of forty-five will fit this definition and will need the services of a professional disability advocate.
 

Are there other ways of earning income?

Yes!  In our Executive training program, you'll be introduced to two additional income generating processes that are directly related to disability representation.  These two processes are exclusive to our program and are only possible when using our custom techniques and business software.

Why don’t you train others to teach disability advocacy?

Disability Associates stopped providing advocate instructor training several years ago for two important reasons.  First, with the advent of interactive technology and remote online training, there was simply no longer a market for additional instructors.  No reputable company would offer a training course in a career that has no market potential.  Secondly, the more advocate instructors the more likely the market will be flooded.  Flooding the market would endanger the livelihoods of existing advocates.  A knowledgeable advocate training firm with the industries well-being in mind, would not flood the market with unnecessary instructors. 

What about my community?  

Every community in the USA is a potential goldmine for a professional disability advocate.   Our training program not only teaches you how to represent a disability claim, it also teaches you how to operate your service using proven business methods that maximize your chances for success.

Why couldn’t I find an Advocate in my community?

It's possible that there are no advocates in your community.  Even if there are, an advocate can only process a finite number of cases within a given period of time.  As a result, it’s rarely necessary for our advocates to depend exclusively upon general advertising to attract customers.  This makes it possible for advocates to be less visible in their communities while still enjoying maximum success.

How much capital do I need?

Because of our unique community based approach to marketing, most advocates can start this service for less than $1000.  Once your community becomes aware of your ability to serve their representational needs, your advocacy service will virtually grow on it’s own accord.

Are there any additional fees?  

We are a representation, training and software development services company, not a franchise.  All payments associated with the representation of a client goes directly to you.  We do not charge percentages, kick backs or franchise fees of any kind.

Is Disability Advocacy difficult?    

This service can be performed effectively by anyone with good reading and writing skills.  No prior experience is necessary beyond our course. 

Can I work from home?

Disability Advocacy is the perfect occupation for those who wish to work from home.  A home office has several advantages including low overhead, controlled scheduling and the opportunity to enjoy more leisure time with friends and family. Our training program assumes that you'll work from home and provides valuable information on how to operate successfully without jeopardizing your privacy or security.

How do I get customers?  

Other training firms provide generic marketing approaches created for services other than disability advocacy.  Disability Associates is the only training source that provides each student with a custom marketing strategy.  All of our marketing techniques are original and custom made!  Many of our techniques can be executed at no costs and can be used alone or in combination as a means of quickly attracting customers to your service.  Disability Associates also provides each student with free access to our National Client Referral Network.  Our Network will deliver high quality leads to your computer's desktop without the need for advertising. 
 

How long does it take to complete a case?  

Advocates who are not using our techniques have waited a year or more for a disability decision.  Many Attorneys in this field can take up to 3 years to complete a case.  In our opinion, waiting more than six months for a disability decision is ridiculous!  Our average case takes less than 120 days and some are completed within a few short weeks.  If you understand the internal mechanisms that drive the disability process you'll have no problems acquiring rapid decisions.  Our program provides custom solutions to these case bottlenecks, enabling you to do more cases in a shorter period of time.
 

How long does it take to complete the training?

We have had students complete our course in less than two weeks.  The average individual spending two or three hours a day on our materials will usually complete our program in less than thirty days.
 

How important is your software?

Our custom software is the result of years of operational refinement.  Each program is functionally dynamic and an integrated part of our training system.  Inside each program, you'll have access to both the functionality of the software and a complete training course in the operational processes that inspired its design.  All of our software is custom designed and is the product of many years of testing and refinement.  

Example:  Our Case Assessment Navigator software uses custom algorithms that are the result of thousands of case comparisons which accurately predict a specific case outcome.  The likelihood that a knock-off of our Navigator will provide the same level of accuracy is extremely low.  Settling for cheap knock-offs of our original products and services will lower your profitability and reduce your chance for success.  

Embedded operational training is another exclusive characteristic of our software.  You'll also learn how our software can be used to produce additional income, increase efficiency and generate a higher level of success to your advocacy service.  The productivity gains made possible by our software and operational techniques will help to significantly improve your bottom line! 
 

How important are your operational techniques?

Software alone will not guarantee your success in this business!   To succeed, you'll also need access to our exclusive business and operational techniques.  Our one-of-a-kind operational techniques are the bases upon which our software was created.  As important as our software is to your success, it would only provide a marginal advantage without our custom techniques.  To reap the maximum benefit, you must understand how each of our custom techniques is used within the greater process of representing a disability case. It's our exclusive operational techniques more than anything else that will assure your success in this field.

What is Executive Support?

Our Executive Support Service provides each student with a suite of professional software, advanced training and over 100 hours of direct telephone access to our experienced support staff.  Click here for details.

Is the course tax deductible?

Yes!  According to the most recent tax code, a company may deduct the costs of training as part of a new business start-up or as an ongoing business expense.  Check with your accountant to be sure that this deduction is appropriate for your tax situation.

What equipment do I need?

To operate a disability advocacy service, you’ll need a Windows PC with a CD-ROM drive, broadband Internet access, a printer and a telephone. 

Do you provide references?

Yes we do!  For professional references, click here.  For student references contact us at info@daincpm.net.     
 

How can I confirm the existence of this service?

Go to the Social Security web site and type in non-attorney representative.  The field of Disability advocacy and all benefits attributed to it can be verified via the Social Security Administration or the Federal Code. 
 

Is this field really recession proof?

Social Security's statistics clearly show that whenever the economy dips more individuals apply for disability benefits.  An increase in the number of disability applicants directly results in an increase in the number of potential customers available for your service.  It doesn't get any more recession proof than that!
 

Do you offer a Payment Plan?

Yes!  For information about our payment plans click here.