Eight things people ask before they call

No. Veterans with VA claims are free, and the clinic also takes Social Security disability and SSI claims for neighbors who can't work. Those carry only the fee Social Security sets by law.

VA claims are free to veterans. For Social Security, nothing is due up front, and the fee is set by law and paid from back pay if you win. If there's no back pay, there's no fee. Record charges are separate, and we tell you before any is spent.

It depends on the agency, the level and the records. We'll tell you where your claim stands and what we're waiting on, and we won't promise a date we don't control.

Call anyway. Some deadlines can be extended for a good reason, and some notices were never delivered. We'll tell you plainly if the door is closed.

Often, yes. Some claims allow limited work and some don't, and a VA claim doesn't depend on whether you're working. Call before you stop or start anything.

No. We meet by phone or video, and we can arrange a visit if getting here is the problem.

Every letter you've received, the names of your doctors, your work history and, for veterans, your service papers. The page called Get help has the list.

One of four lawyers takes your claim, depending on what it is. You'll know who by the end of your first visit, and you can call that person directly.