I have been trying to win my SSDI case for 3 years now and keep getting denied. I became ill back in March 2005, with Lupus, Renal Disese and a few more diagnoses along the way. I had an attorney up until the Hearing Process, but once I was denied at that stage they decided they did not want to represent me any longer. Which was fine with me since I was going to terminate them anyhow but they beat me to it. In my opinion they did not do their job of representing my case. I am clearly disabled and have little capacity to work a normal 40 hr a week schedule. Although I maintain an 8hr a week job, which I have difficulty performing. During the time of my case pending I have tried to go back to work with no success. Although the amount I made was not excessive to the gov't I performed Substantial Gainful Activity. My lawyers tried to claim Unsuccessful work attempt or trial work period, but I guess the judge did not buy it.
Right now I am representing myself and would like to know if someone can let me know what forms I need to submit for Federal Review in civil court. I pulled the Request for Review by a Federal Reviewing Official form from the Social Security website, but I need information on all the forms I need to submit. As well as is there a form to claim indigent when submitting my papers to the courts?

Have you browsed through the information in LawInfo's Free Legal Resource Center to learn more about your issue yet? See: http://www.lawinfo.com/consumer.html. You can certainly try to speak to a lawyer to determine what legal options may be available. In the meantime, you may be able to learn more on your own. Search the "Free Legal Resources" tab, or browse the Consumer Resources. Good luck.

You need to request what personal documents and/or documentations your lawyers were able to get about you while they worked for YOU. They are supposed to give you personal stuff that is yours whether you gave to them or they obtained from SSA for you suit.

Your lawyers dumped you because (as we all know, times are tough, even for lawyers), they don't want to pursuit a case they see as not likely to win, or could or would last longer that 6-8 years. (I know of a couple people who fought for SSDI for 8 years before they found another lawyer to help them. Their first attorney just sat on all their retainer fees, and filed no action on their behalf. As luck would have it, they got a sympathetic judge who even berated SSA people for dragging their claims for so long. The judge told them, "As you can see, NO employer is going to hire him when he's nothing but a liability. He's a lawsuit waiting to happen!)

So, I too feel for your frustration for the delays.

I have a question though, you stated you work 8 hrs per week. Unless I misunderstood, that normally doesn't constitute gainful employ, unless you are making tons of money an hour!
I'm not sure what the Federal poverty level is this year, but I think it's around $970-$980 per month. Then SSA take in consideration the type of work you're doing, your education level.(are you college degreed or blue collar wages). Then they look at your disability. You can find out what their rules are for medical or mental disability is at the SSA website, click on the Disabilities tab, and look for the Disability Red Book.
Ask SSA for an SSA Advocate to help you get through the maze of our governments biggest pork program that does absolutely nothing for folks like you and I.
THEY are not your friends, and THEY are not going to tell you anything that will help you. It's the government RED TAPE-screw-the-little-guy-over-so-I-can-keep-my-federal job benefits and perks crap

And be prepared to put on your own lawyer mentality hat and research, research, research. Document everything, calls, postage, etc, take names and their departments and stuff. SSA has ALL the forms you need to download from the internet.
However, doing appeals, make sure that you notify them that you wish to file an appeal, ask for the forms to be sent to you. (keep receipts on everything you've purchased to help you do your job, present and past). And, tell them your lawyers dumped you, I think you even need a form to tell SSA about this too.
Please NOTE:
SSA does NOT document any of your phone conversations, questions, or comments. They only document the letters they have sent to you, and why.
One more thing: there is a form to request all the records SSA has on file on you, including IRS documents, job history and pay, etc. Fill it out and mail it to your local SSA office. NEVER send stuff to SSA in Baltimore, PA, or MD addresses; unless you have received a letter from them personally. AND never trust your local SSA Cust Srv reps that they'll handle things right. Be tenacious about things they say they will do to remind them. Note: letters they send you or you send them in return prepaid envelopes they or you will get the NEXT day. ALWAYS send "copies" of personal documents in "signature from an adult required" its imperative. It's the ONLY proof you mailed it to them. Make copies of EVERYTHING. I even keep record of phone calls, why, who spoke with, date time.

GOOD LUCK