With applications for Social Security Disability Insurance reaching 275,981 in September 2011, 19 percent higher than in September 2010, Allsup recommends working with a representative when approaching the Social Security Administration with a claim.

"Not only is the Social Security Administration dealing with a sizable number of current disability claims, there's also a tremendous backlog of claims awaiting action," said David Bueltemann, Allsup's manager of senior claims representatives. "You can be certain that Allsup experts are going to give your SSDI claim the attention it deserves by thoroughly and accurately completing the work, ensuring important details are documented, and following up every step along the way."

The first step for people with severe disabilities is filing a claim. They can apply on their own or hire an advocate. Even if a claim appears to be rock solid, the SSA deals with hundreds of thousands of claims at any given time and there are benefits to having an expert SSDI representative on your side, Bueltemann said.