You earned your Social Security Disability benefits. We help you collect them.
Most Social Security Disability claims are denied at first — but most denials are winnable at hearing. Attorney Joseph Duerst has represented claimants at 3,500+ hearings across Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
You have only 60 days to appeal a denial. Miss the deadline and you may have to start over — and lose months of backpay. Call today: 602-607-0000.
A real Social Security Disability attorney. Not a faceless advocate mill.
SSA allows non-lawyers to represent you in court. They charge the same fees but aren’t held to the same standards. Here’s what working with a licensed law firm gets you.
Pay nothing unless we win.
Our fee comes out of your backpay only if we secure benefits. No upfront cost. No hourly bills. No retainer. Federal law caps it at 25% of backpay or $9,200, whichever is less.
3,500+ hearings of experience.
Joe has stood in front of administrative law judges more than 3,500 times. He knows what each judge looks for, how to cross-examine vocational experts, and how to tell your story in 45 minutes.
We chase your medical records.
Most claims fail because records are missing. Our team requests, follows up, and secures every record at a discount you couldn’t negotiate alone.
In the same building as SSA.
Our Phoenix office is located in the same building as Social Security’s hearings office. We know the judges and the system — not from theory, but from being there every week.
Joseph J. Duerst
Founding Attorney · Arizona Bar · Representing SSDI claimants in AZ, NV, OR, UT, WA
Joe founded J Disability because he saw too many claimants — people who had worked 30 and 40 years — being steamrolled by a system designed to say no. He built a firm that treats every client like a neighbor, not a case file.
“The people I represent aren’t looking for a handout. They paid into this their whole working lives. My job is to make sure the system honors that.”
Joe is a member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR) and maintains a top-rated attorney status on Google and Avvo.
The Duerst Family
Joe lives in Scottsdale, Arizona with his wife Lexi and their two children — daughter Hayden and son Lucas. When he’s not fighting for his clients, you’ll find him at the beach with his family.
Five Western states. Local knowledge in each.
Every region has its own rhythm — its own judges, hearing offices, and vocational experts. Click your state for details.
A clear path from denial to decision.
Free case review
Tell us what happened. We’ll assess your denial letter, medical records, and work history — usually within one business day.
We file your appeal
No forms to wrestle with. We file your Request for Hearing or Reconsideration within the 60-day deadline.
We build your case
We collect every medical record, lay out your work history, and prepare the brief the judge will read before your hearing.
We win at hearing
Joe represents you, cross-examines the vocational expert, and fights for backpay to the earliest possible onset date.
40+ reviews on Google.
“After two years of denials, I had given up. Attorney Duerst and his team took over my case, got the records I didn’t even know I needed, and won at the hearing in under six months. I cried when I got the decision.”
“Joe was honest with me from day one. He told me he thought we’d win and explained exactly what would happen at every step. The case app made everything easy — I uploaded records from my phone in five minutes.”
“I’m 58 and was told my back injury wasn’t ‘bad enough’ to qualify. Joe knew the grid rules and built a case I couldn’t have built on my own. Approved on first hearing.”
“I called three other firms before J Disability. The others wanted to know about my case in 5-minute increments. Joe spent 45 minutes with me on the phone the first day. That tells you everything.”
“After my husband passed, I didn’t know I could get widow’s benefits at 55. Attorney Duerst’s team walked me through everything and got my claim approved. They were patient with me through the worst year of my life.”
“Worth every penny — and I didn’t pay anything until I won. Backpay covered the fee and then some. I should have called him a year earlier.”
What you need to know after a denial.
I was denied Social Security Disability. Does that mean I don’t have a case?
No — quite the opposite. Most initial disability claims are denied, including many that are strong on the merits. SSA’s initial review is largely mechanical. The hearing in front of an administrative law judge is where real evaluation happens, and approval rates rise significantly at that stage — especially with an attorney.
If you were just denied, you have 60 days to appeal. Don’t wait.
How much does it cost to hire J Disability?
Nothing up front, and nothing at all unless we win. Federal law caps attorney fees in Social Security Disability cases at 25% of backpay or $9,200 — whichever is less. If we don’t win, you owe us $0.
I’m over 50 — does that help my case?
Yes, significantly. SSA uses a set of rules called the Medical-Vocational Guidelines (informally, “the grids”) that make it easier to qualify for disability at age 50, and easier still at 55. If you have a physical impairment that prevents you from doing your past work, you may qualify under the grids without having to prove you can’t do any job at all.
This is one of the most misunderstood parts of the system — and one where attorney representation matters most.
How long does the Social Security Disability process take?
It varies by state and hearing office, but most clients wait 9 to 18 months between requesting a hearing and actually having one. Once a decision is made, benefits typically begin within 60 days. We use this waiting period to build the strongest possible record.
What conditions qualify for Social Security Disability?
Any physical or mental condition — or combination of conditions — that prevents you from doing substantial work for at least 12 months. Common qualifying conditions include back and spine disorders, COPD, heart disease, diabetes with complications, severe anxiety and depression, PTSD, and autoimmune conditions. What matters is how your conditions affect your ability to function, not the diagnosis alone.
Do I have to come to your office?
No. We represent clients across five states and most communication is by phone, email, and our case app. You can upload documents right from your phone. Hearings are held at your local SSA hearing office — or often by phone or video — not at our office.
What’s the difference between a disability lawyer and a “disability advocate”?
SSA lets non-lawyers represent you. They charge the same fees but haven’t been to law school, aren’t bound by state bar ethics rules, and can’t represent you if your case goes beyond the hearing stage to federal court. A real attorney brings legal training, ethical accountability, and the ability to take your case all the way if necessary.
Always ask whether your representative is a licensed attorney.
Tell us about your case in 60 seconds.
We’ll ask you a few quick questions to make sure we’re the right fit. If we are, you’ll be able to schedule a free 15-minute review with our intake team — usually within 48 hours.
Phoenix, AZ 85023
Which state do you live in?
We represent claimants in five Western states.
What’s your age range?
Age affects how Social Security evaluates your claim.
How long since you last worked full-time?
SSA generally requires your condition to prevent work for at least 12 months.
What stage is your case in?
We focus on initial claims through hearing-level appeals.
Looks like a fit — let’s get your info.
We’ll respond within one business day.
You sound like a strong fit.
Based on your answers, we’d like to talk further. Pick a time below for a free 15-minute case review with our intake team.
Don’t see a time that works? Email contact@jdisability.com.
Thanks — we’ve received your information.
Your case has some details we need to review carefully before scheduling. Our team will look at your answers and get back to you by email within one business day with next steps.
Need to reach us sooner? Email contact@jdisability.com.
This isn’t our specialty.
Based on your answers, your case is outside the type we typically handle. We focus exclusively on Social Security Disability claims at the application and hearing-appeal stages for clients in AZ, NV, OR, UT, and WA.
For a referral, try:
- NOSSCR Referral Service: nosscr.org (national directory)
- Your state bar’s lawyer referral service
- Legal Aid in your area (free for income-qualified clients)
We appreciate you considering us, and we wish you the best with your case.