When did you get a lawyer for SSDI?

Hi, this is my first time ever posting to Reddit, but I’m finding myself in need of advice. After battling with my mental health for years, I’ve been put on short term disability and want to go for permanent disability. I have never been able to hold down a steady job due to the way my mental health affects me, and now I also have physical health issues coming into play that at all aggravated severely by stress.

For anyone who has gone through the SSDI process, how long were you out of work before you got a lawyer involved? I have seen some people say they got one for their first application, but I was told by a lawyer’s office that I they won’t take cases unless you’ve already been out of work for a year. I know I won’t be able to handle the application process myself without being overwhelmed and having a meltdown, but I also don’t want to wait an entire year to apply when I already know this process takes a long time.

Any and all advice here is greatly appreciated! Also, I’m not sure if it matters or not, but I live in California currently. Thank you!