Getting a disability lawyer could be a good idea, especially if you've just started. They take a percentage of your backpay if you are approved, so you don't have to pay them out of pocket. Filing appeals is tedious and difficult, getting someone else to do it could be a very good idea!

There's no reason to get a disability lawyer before you've even applied. The application process is straightforward and pretty simple, all you really need to do is fill out the application (it's online) and social security will take care of the rest. They will likely send you some additional paperwork that needs to be filled out (it will come from your state due to how the process works, not social security) with extra information they need, do not ignore it or put off returning it, do it quickly (some information may seem like a duplicate of the original application - fill it out regardless). By hiring a lawyer now, you're giving them 25% for doing nothing couldn't do on your own.

Number one tip for the application is to be thorough. Write about how your daily life is actually effected in detail - don't just say you can't work - tell them why and what happens when you try and how it makes you feel physically and mentally. Don't be afraid to list lots of little everyday things you have difficulty with - things like if you can no longer tie your shoes and must wear Velcro shoes with a suit or to a construction job or that it takes you twice as long to perform some simple task or you always need a handrail to climb steps. But don't start making up stuff to make yourself seem worse off, examiners do this all day for years they see right through that. Make sure all your doctors are listed and with the correct addresses.