About
Eleven years inside SSA disability claims. Now helping law firms manage the SSA side.
For more than a decade, Adam Whalan worked inside the Social Security Administration, adjudicating SSDI and SSI claims. Today, he helps law firms manage the SSA administrative side of disability-related matters through a defined, claimant-authorized representative role.
I spent those years inside the Social Security Administration working SSDI and SSI claims — initial applications, reconsiderations, hearing-level cases, Appeals Council matters, and the post-entitlement issues that follow people long after a decision is made. Thousands of claims, handled from the government’s side of the desk.
That kind of volume teaches you something most representatives never get to see up close: how these cases are actually decided. Disability claims are rarely won on sympathy. They’re won — or quietly lost — on insured status, dates last insured, substantial gainful activity, offsets, income and resource rules, and whether the file answers the questions the adjudicator is required to ask. Catching those issues used to be my job. Spotting them early, on the claimant’s side, is the job now.
Many of the files that crossed my desk belonged to people who already had a lawyer — for the accident, the workers’ compensation claim, the employment dispute. The disability claim was the piece nobody at the firm handled, and it showed. When I left SSA, I built Allied Legal Professional Services to be a specific answer for that piece: an outside SSA representative who works alongside the firm rather than instead of it, so the client’s disability claim gets the same attention as the matter the firm was hired for.
The scope of what I do
EDPNA
I’m a non-attorney representative SSA has recognized as Eligible for Direct Payment when a representative fee is authorized. SSA recognizes both attorney and non-attorney representatives for administrative proceedings before the agency; EDPNA status requires passing SSA’s examination, carrying professional liability insurance at SSA’s required minimum, completing continuing education, and meeting SSA’s character and fitness standards. More on EDPNA status →
My role is limited to SSA administrative representation: initial applications, requests for reconsideration, ALJ hearings, and Appeals Council review. I don’t provide federal court representation, courtroom litigation, or legal services outside the scope of authorized SSA administrative representation — and when a question belongs to a lawyer, it goes to one.
How I work with firms
How I work with firms.
Three ways, matched to your firm’s involvement: co-representation, where an attorney at your firm has a real, documented SSA-related role and the claimant appoints us each separately; contract support, where your firm engages me directly under a separate written scope of work; or a straightforward referral, where nothing changes hands in either direction. In every case, any fee for claimant representation is handled through SSA’s authorization process. See the three ways → Fees & Engagement →
Get in touch
Get in touch.
If your firm has an existing or related client matter that may involve an SSDI or SSI issue, reach out — including if you’re not sure which arrangement fits. That’s a normal first conversation.
Scope Note
Allied Legal Professional Services is not a law firm. Adam Whalan is not an attorney. Allied Legal Professional Services provides SSA administrative representation and support only and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or part of the Social Security Administration or any other government agency. Visiting this site or contacting Adam does not create a representative, attorney, or advisory relationship.