My sister works in a law office that specializes in ssi claims. Sure you will be denied before you lawyer up, not after.
I personally know someone who is on ssi because he can no longer work in his field due to ruining his reputation with a cocaine addiction. Originally denied. He got a lawyer and is currently retired on disability insurance. As for assets they were transfered into his childrens names.
People who have attorneys get denied all the time. Also Disability Insurance is not SSI. Apples and oranges. If he transferred his assets then that suggests fraud as it is specifically asked if they have done so. Big no no. Also that suggests SSI and not DIB (disability insurance) as DIB does not care about resources at all.
Sounds like you hear one comment and twist it into something it is not.