@rey absolutely!

tbh i feel like this is a 'ymmv due to local climate' issue - i'm in the bible belt and around here, sadly, a lawyer is just about a must.

but, the one thing i did hear that my lawyer constantly tells clients is: "you've been disabled for far longer than you think. i wish you had come to me years ago." so there is every reason in the world to get started now if anyone out there is on the fence about it :)