Michelle Shvarts Managing Attorney, Disability Advocates Group
- UCLA School of Law
- Licensed Lawyer in California
- Authorized to Represent Clients before the Social Security Administration Nationwide
- 15+ Years SSDI Experience
- Nationwide Practice
Michelle Shvarts is the founder and managing attorney of the Disability Advocates Group, a national advocacy firm that helps disabled individuals get the benefits they need and deserve. She is licensed to practice law in California and authorized by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to represent Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claimants nationwide.
Ms. Shvarts earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government and Doctor of Law degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She began her law career as a civil litigator, but shifted her practice to disability law and founded the Disability Advocates Group to represent individuals unable to work due to their medical conditions.
For over fifteen years, Ms. Shvarts has led a team dedicated to guiding clients through the disability benefits process with expertise and compassionate advocacy. Together with the DAG team, she founded and maintains SSDI Answers, a public educational resource to help individuals and families understand their eligibility, required documents, and next steps before and during the claims process.
Credentials & Affiliations List
- Juris Doctor, UCLA School of Law
- Licensed to Practice Law, State Bar of California
- Admitted to Practice Before the Social Security Administration Nationwide
- Member, National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR)
Articles Written and Reviewed by This Author
- How Bank Accounts and Assets Affect SSI Eligibility
- Here’s Why Your Disability Benefits May Not Stretch as Far in California
- Gig‑Economy Self‑Employment and SSDI
- How Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA) Affect SSDI and SSI Payments in 2026
- Working While Receiving Disability Benefits: Rules, Risks, and 2026 Limits
- Top Medical Conditions Most Likely to Qualify for SSDI in 2026
- COLA Watch 2026: How the Next Cost-of-Living Adjustment Will Affect California Beneficiaries
- Adult ADHD & Co‑Occurring Conditions: Strengthening Your Disability Application
- Medical Evidence That Wins SSDI Claims – Tips From a Disability Attorney
- AI Isn’t Deciding SSDI Claims—But It’s Quietly Reshaping Them
- Disability Claims: Wait Times vs. Expectations
- Rethinking SSI: Why Proposed Reforms to the Program Are Generating Attention
A Note on Editorial Standards
All content on SSDI Answers is carefully reviewed by Michelle Shvarts and the team of advocates at Disability Advocates Group for accuracy, clarity, and consistency with current Social Security Administration rules and guidance. Articles are updated periodically to reflect regulatory and procedural changes.
The articles presented on SSDI Answers are for informational purposes only. They do not constitute legal advice nor do they represent an attorney-client relationship. Readers are encouraged to review their unique, individual cases and questions with a qualified disability attorney or advocate.