New York Social Security Disability Lawyer
Representing New York Disability Claimants From Every Corner of the State
New York is home to one of the largest Social Security Disability claimant populations in the country. From New York City’s five boroughs to Buffalo and the Western New York rust belt, from the Capital Region in Albany to the North Country, the Finger Lakes, and Long Island’s suburban communities, New Yorkers from every background and every industry are navigating the disability system every day.
At Holcomb Law Group, our team represents Social Security Disability claimants throughout New York. Because disability law is federal law, we can advocate for you wherever you live in the Empire State. Our approach is grounded in direct attorney contact, strong medical evidence strategy, and a genuine commitment to treating every client as a person — not a case file.
What New York Disability Applicants Need to Know
New York performs above the national average at every stage of the Social Security Disability process. The state ranked 30th nationally for initial application approvals in 2024, which represents a slight edge over the national average. At the reconsideration stage, New York ranked 23rd nationally — again above average. And at the ALJ hearing level, New York ranked an impressive 6th in the nation.
Most New York hearing offices also perform well above the national average in terms of approval rates, with only one office slightly trailing. The Buffalo, Bronx, Queens, and Rochester offices do carry longer wait times than the national average, which is an important planning consideration. The average SSDI payment for New York recipients typically runs $1,400 to $1,600 per month — slightly above the national average, reflecting the state’s historically higher wage base.
SSDI and SSI in New York
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is earned through your work record. New York’s diverse economy spans finance and professional services in Manhattan, manufacturing in Buffalo and the Southern Tier, healthcare and education statewide, and government employment across the Capital Region. Workers in all of these sectors may qualify for SSDI based on their work history and a disabling condition.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is needs-based and available regardless of work history. New York’s state supplement, combined with the federal benefit and Medicaid eligibility, makes SSI a meaningful lifeline for qualifying New Yorkers with limited income and resources.
New York’s State SSI Supplement
New York offers a state supplemental payment for SSI recipients administered through the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. This state supplement adds meaningful additional monthly income on top of the federal SSI benefit for qualifying individuals. For claimants whose SSDI benefit is low enough that their total income falls below SSI thresholds, New York’s concurrent benefit framework can provide additional financial support through this supplement. New York SSI approval also connects recipients to Medicaid, providing crucial healthcare coverage.
New York also has its own Workers’ Compensation program and a Disability Benefits Law (DBL) that provides short-term disability income for employees who cannot work due to injury or illness. If you are receiving DBL benefits, the SSA may apply an offset if your combined income exceeds 80% of your pre-disability earnings — a consideration worth discussing with our team.
The Three-Stage Disability Process in New York
Stage One — Initial Application
Your application can be filed online, by phone, or at one of New York’s many Social Security field offices located throughout the state — from Manhattan and the boroughs to Buffalo, Albany, Syracuse, Rochester, and beyond. New York’s DDS office reviews your medical evidence and determines whether your condition meets SSA’s definition of disability. With initial approval rates slightly above the national average and one of the most supportive hearing-level environments in the country, starting with experienced legal guidance gives you the strongest possible foundation.
Stage Two — Reconsideration
If your initial application is denied, you can request reconsideration within 60 days of your denial notice. New York’s reconsideration approval rate is slightly above the national average, ranking 23rd nationally. This stage should be used to update your medical record and address any documentation gaps identified in your initial denial. Missing the 60-day deadline means starting over, so acting quickly is essential.
Stage Three — ALJ Hearing
The ALJ hearing is the most critical stage of a New York disability case, and the state’s 6th-place national ranking for hearing approvals reflects the real opportunity available here. New York has hearing offices in Albany, Buffalo, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Rochester, Syracuse, White Plains, and Jericho, serving claimants across every region of the state. Approval rates at most offices are well above the national average. Our team prepares every hearing thoroughly — reviewing your complete medical record, presenting your functional limitations clearly, and addressing any vocational arguments raised by the judge.
Why Residents Choose Holcomb Law Group
We Start With You — Not a Denial Letter
Many disability firms will not take your case until after your initial application has been denied. We do things differently. At Holcomb Law Group, we welcome clients at every stage of the process, including the very first filing. A well-prepared initial application can save months — sometimes years — of appeals.
Disability Claims Are Won on Medical Evidence
One of the things you will hear us say often is that disability claims are won and lost on medical evidence. Having the wrong kind of evidence is just as damaging as having none. Our team takes a hands-on approach to medical evidence strategy — reviewing your records, helping you understand what the SSA is looking for, and working with you to address any gaps. For clients who are uninsured or have limited access to care, we can also help identify treatment options that support your claim.
Direct Attorney Access Throughout Your Case
When you work with our team, you will have regular, direct contact with your attorney — not a rotating cast of paralegals or case managers. We provide updates proactively, return calls and messages promptly, and explain every stage of the process in plain language. You should never feel like you have been forgotten.
No Fee Unless We Win
We handle Social Security Disability cases on a contingency basis. There is no upfront cost, attorney fees in disability cases are capped and regulated by federal law, and you only pay if we win your case.
New York Communities We Serve
Our team represents Social Security Disability claimants throughout New York, including residents of New York City (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island), Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, Yonkers, Utica, Schenectady, and communities across Long Island, the Hudson Valley, the Capital Region, the Southern Tier, the Finger Lakes, Western New York, and the North Country. Because Social Security Disability is a federal program, we can represent you anywhere in the state.
Frequently Asked Questions — New York SSD
Why does New York perform so well at the ALJ hearing stage?
New York’s 6th-place national ranking for ALJ hearing approvals reflects a combination of factors including the state’s strong legal representation culture, the hearing office dynamics in major metro areas, and historically above-average approval tendencies among New York ALJs. What it means for claimants is that persistence through the process — and experienced representation at the hearing stage — is especially worthwhile in New York.
How does New York's Workers' Compensation or DBL interact with SSDI?
If you receive New York Workers’ Compensation or Disability Benefits Law (DBL) payments at the same time as SSDI, the SSA may reduce your SSDI payment so that your combined income does not exceed 80% of your pre-disability average earnings. Understanding how these programs interact is important for maximizing your overall income. Our team can help you navigate this during your consultation.
Does New York supplement SSI payments?
Yes. New York offers one of the more meaningful state SSI supplements in the country, administered through the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. The supplement is added to the federal SSI payment to provide a higher combined monthly benefit than the federal amount alone. New York SSI recipients also automatically qualify for Medicaid. Our team can help you understand the full scope of benefits available to you.
Can Holcomb Law Group represent me throughout New York?
Yes. Social Security Disability is governed entirely by federal law, which means our team can represent clients in any state. We have handled disability cases throughout the country and bring the same personalized, thorough approach to every New York client we serve.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
If you are living with a disability in New York and need help with your SSDI or SSI claim, our team at Holcomb Law Group is ready to fight for you. New York’s above-average hearing approval rates make this one of the better states in which to be a disability claimant — but only if your case is properly prepared and presented.
Contact Holcomb Law Group today — we are ready to listen and ready to fight for you.