There are certain steps a person must go through in order to receive Social Security Disability benefits. If your application for benefits is denied soon after you filed it, you will then go on to appeal this decision by filing a Request for Reconsideration. If you are denied at the Reconsideration level, you will then want to appeal to an Administrative Law judge by requesting a hearing. It is a good idea to have your own attorney for such a hearing. Though people have acted as their own attorney in their personal disability cases and won benefits, this is an exception and not a usual thing. You and your chosen attorney will appear before the ALJ to present your disability case. If you are not awarded disability at this level, you can then ask for a review of your case by the Appeals Council. They will make sure that your appeal to an Administrative Law judge was handled fairly. If the Appeals Council denies your disability claim, it is time to take your case to your local Federal District Court.