Shieldof first-time disability claims are denied.
Yours doesn't have to be.
Shield's actuaries and advocates translate your medical records into approved monthly checks — handling every form, every deadline, every appeal.
You may already
qualify.
Answer five plain-language questions below. Each one maps to a real SSA criterion. Watch your eligibility build in real time — no jargon, no intake forms, no waiting room.
Do you have a medical condition that has lasted — or is expected to last — 12 or more months?
This includes chronic back conditions, heart disease, COPD, arthritis, cancer, and neurological disorders.
Duration requirement met
Social Security requires your condition to prevent "substantial gainful activity" for at least 12 months. Most retirees' conditions qualify — the challenge is documentation.
Have you worked and paid into Social Security for at least 5 of the last 10 years?
Most workers who paid FICA taxes during their career have sufficient work credits.
Work credit requirement met
Former machinists, teachers, and tradespeople typically have 30–40 years of contributions. If you've worked since age 22, you almost certainly qualify on work credits alone.
Is your condition preventing you from performing the work you did previously?
The SSA evaluates whether you can return to past work or adjust to other work given your age, education, and condition.
Functional limitation documented
Age matters here. Applicants over 55 face a lower bar — the SSA recognizes that retraining is harder at 62 than at 35. This is where our actuaries build your strongest case.
Three criteria checked. Let us review the rest of your case — free, with no obligation.
Check My Eligibility FreeHave you received a denial letter, or is your long-term disability policy about to lapse?
First-time denials are routine — 68% of initial claims are rejected regardless of merit.
Appeal window still open
You have 60 days from a denial letter to file an appeal. Don't let that window close. Our advocates have reversed denials that were 2–3 years old through proper reconsideration filing.
Do you have medical records, treatment history, or a doctor willing to support your claim?
Supporting documentation is the single biggest factor in approval — not the severity of your condition.
Documentation pathway identified
We work directly with your physicians to gather the right records in the right format. We know exactly what the SSA's examiners look for — and we give it to them.
We handle the forms.
You handle recovery.
Three phases. One team. No paperwork you didn't review first. Our process mirrors the SSA's own evaluation sequence — so nothing is ever missing, late, or formatted incorrectly.
Case Review & Evidence Gathering
We read every record so you don't have to
Application & Positioning
Every form filled. Every box checked. Every deadline circled.
Appeals & Benefit Activation
A denial is not a decision. It's the beginning of the real process.
01 / Case Review &
02 / Application & Positioning
03 / Appeals & Benefit
Case Review & Evidence Gathering
We read every record so you don't have to
Our actuaries pull your full medical history, work records, and treatment notes. We identify gaps before the SSA does. Most first-time filers miss 3–5 critical supporting documents — we find them, request them, and organize them in the exact format examiners expect. The average Shield case file is 40% more complete than a self-filed application.
Application & Positioning
Every form filled. Every box checked. Every deadline circled.
We draft your complete SSA application using language that mirrors the agency's own evaluation criteria. Your attending physician receives a detailed questionnaire we've prepared — one designed to capture the functional limitations the SSA actually weighs. We file everything electronically and track acknowledgment receipts. You receive a copy of the complete submission.
Appeals & Benefit Activation
A denial is not a decision. It's the beginning of the real process.
If your claim is denied — as 68% are initially — we file your Request for Reconsideration within 48 hours. Our advocates have reversed denials at every stage, including ALJ hearings. We handle all SSA correspondence, attend hearings on your behalf, and continue through the Appeals Council if needed. When benefits are approved, we help you understand your retroactive payment and set up direct deposit.
Numbers that belong
in your favor.
These are not projections. Every figure below reflects closed Shield cases from 2020–2025, audited annually by our compliance team.
“I filed on my own twice and got denied both times. Shield got me approved in four months.”
Retired machinist, Ohio · Degenerative disc disease
“My LTD policy lapsed and I didn't know what to do. They handled every single form.”
Former teacher, Georgia · Rheumatoid arthritis
“Dad couldn't lift a grocery bag. Shield turned that into a documented functional limitation.”
Adult child, managing father's claim · Post-stroke syndrome
“Three years of denials. Shield reversed the last one at the ALJ hearing level.”
Retired nurse, Texas · COPD & cardiac arrhythmia
“I thought I made too much in my last job to qualify. Turns out I was wrong.”
Former electrician, Pennsylvania · Type 2 diabetes complications
“The checklist they sent me was exactly what I needed. Everything already organized.”
Retired accountant, California · Fibromyalgia & chronic fatigue
“I filed on my own twice and got denied both times. Shield got me approved in four months.”
Retired machinist, Ohio · Degenerative disc disease
“My LTD policy lapsed and I didn't know what to do. They handled every single form.”
Former teacher, Georgia · Rheumatoid arthritis
“Dad couldn't lift a grocery bag. Shield turned that into a documented functional limitation.”
Adult child, managing father's claim · Post-stroke syndrome
“Three years of denials. Shield reversed the last one at the ALJ hearing level.”
Retired nurse, Texas · COPD & cardiac arrhythmia
“I thought I made too much in my last job to qualify. Turns out I was wrong.”
Former electrician, Pennsylvania · Type 2 diabetes complications
“The checklist they sent me was exactly what I needed. Everything already organized.”
Retired accountant, California · Fibromyalgia & chronic fatigue
Three questions.
One conversation.
Answer below and we'll call once, at the time you choose. No sales pressure. No obligation. Just a 20-minute case review with a licensed disability advocate.
Select the condition that most limits your ability to work.
The Retiree's Disability Claim Checklist
A 12-page PDF covering every document, deadline, and decision point in the SSDI process — written for first-time filers, not attorneys.
HIPAA-compliant intake
All medical information is handled under strict federal privacy standards.
Licensed advocates in all 50 states
Our team includes accredited disability representatives and former SSA examiners.
We call once, at the time you choose
No repeated calls, no voicemail campaigns, no pressure. One conversation, your schedule.
No fee unless you're approved
We work on contingency. If your claim isn't approved, you pay nothing.
Questions we hear
before the first call.
What is the difference between SSDI and SSI?
SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is based on your work history and the FICA taxes you've paid over your career. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is needs-based and doesn't require a work history. Most of our clients — retired machinists, teachers, tradespeople — qualify for SSDI based on decades of contributions. If you've worked consistently since your twenties, SSDI is almost certainly your primary path.
I was already denied once. Is it too late to appeal?
No — and a denial is often the beginning, not the end. You have 60 days from your denial letter to file a Request for Reconsideration. If that is also denied, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). Our advocates have successfully reversed denials at every stage, including ALJ hearings and Appeals Council reviews. The key is moving quickly and filing the right supporting documentation.
My long-term disability policy through my employer just lapsed. What are my options?
A lapsed LTD policy doesn't eliminate your options — it shifts them. If you've paid into Social Security, SSDI remains available regardless of your private coverage status. Additionally, some employer policies have continuation provisions or COBRA-equivalent protections that may still apply. We'll review both paths in your initial case review and identify which offers the fastest, most reliable benefit.
How long does the SSDI process take?
Unrepresented filers typically wait 8–24 months for a decision, with appeals extending that timeline significantly. Shield clients average 4.2 months from initial filing to benefit activation. The difference is documentation quality and filing precision — we submit complete, correctly formatted applications that don't require SSA follow-up requests, which are the primary source of delays.
What does Shield charge?
We work on contingency. If your claim is approved, our fee is capped at 25% of your retroactive back pay, with a federal maximum of $7,200 — whichever is lower. If your claim is not approved, you pay nothing. There are no upfront costs, no retainer fees, and no charges for the initial case review.
My parent can no longer manage their own affairs. Can Shield help me file on their behalf?
Yes. We regularly work with adult children who are managing claims for parents with cognitive decline, post-stroke limitations, or severe chronic conditions. We can help you establish representative payee status with the SSA and handle all correspondence and filings on your parent's behalf. The initial case review covers this process in detail.
Do I need a lawyer, or is Shield different?
Shield employs accredited disability representatives — a federally recognized credential specifically for Social Security claims. Unlike general practice attorneys, our advocates specialize exclusively in disability claims and understand the SSA's evaluation criteria in precise detail. In most cases, an accredited representative is more effective than a general attorney for SSDI claims, and our fee structure is the same.
Don't see your question here?
Our advocates answer case-specific questions on the first call — at no cost.
Schedule a Free Case ReviewWe call once, at the time you choose.