Has anyone ever heard of any experiences (positive or negative) with Disability Advocates of America?  I have a patient who applied for benefits through social security, was denied and now the appeal has reached the federal level.  It has sat there for months and months. No one has heard a word and we've called and no one returns calls. Any thoughts? I was wondering if it would be helpful to get a more system-savvy part involved---and if so, who that might be. The family is quite poor and could not afford legal representation on their own.