Non-attorney representative

Hello,
I am interested in becoming a non-attorney representative for SSDI clients. I understand that a law license is not necessary (I do have the degree, though). I'm wondering if someone can answer a couple questions for me.

1) In your experience, are these non-attorney reps as useful/successful as their attorney counterparts or do people prefer attorneys?

2) Who at Soc. Sec. would be willing to answer questions about this?

3) I'm in Michigan, is there anything I haven't asked that would be useful for me to know?

Many thanks in advance for all your help!

J