What are my chances for Social Security Disability, and how long should I expect to wait for an appointment?

An initial claim usually takes less than 90 days to get a decision from the date you file. If you are denied you can appeal, and this usually takes another 60-90 days. If denied again, you can appeal again and this time it goes before a judge at an actual courtroom hearing. It is this level that you would want to hire a lawyer. Up until that point a lawyer really has no input and is a waste of time. It can take up to another 2 years to get a judges decision. Being under 50, you have to be in pretty bad shape. You basically have to be severely limited in your function so that a doctor limits you to a less than sedentary capacity.