If you have received a claim denial notice from Social Security, you are familiar with the language used in these denials: We have determined that your condition is not severe enough to be considered disabling. In deciding this, we considered the medical records, your statements, and how your condition affects your ability to work….Doctors and [...]
Filed under Consultative Examinations, Delays, Disability Lawyers by 
For as long as I have been in practice, I have advised my clients that if they received an unfavorable hearing decision, they could file an appeal with the Appeals Council and, at the same time, file a new claim for benefits. As of July 28, 2011, this “double filing” option is no longer available. [...]
Filed under Delays, Disability hearings by
Recently, I represented a claimant afflicted with cancer who clearly met Social Security’s definition of disability – she had a medically determinable condition that precluded substantial gainful activity and her condition had lasted 12 consecutive months and was longstanding in nature. The judge assigned to this case is a no-nonsense person who took no more [...]
Filed under Administrative Law Judges, Delays, Disability hearings by
This past February, Social Security issued a press release announcing that it was adding thirty-eight (38) medical conditions to its “compassionate allowance” program. SSA describes its compassionate allowance program as follows: Compassionate Allowances are a way of quickly identifying diseases and other medical conditions that clearly qualify for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability [...]
Filed under Delays, Starting the disability process, Strategies for winning by
I have written extensively on this blog about the claim processing delays that continue to plague Social Security disability. I suspect that there are a lot of folks out there who are suffering and struggling trying to stay at work, perhaps at the expense of their health, because they are concerned that if they stop [...]
Filed under Case studies, Delays, Diabetes and disability by
When I talk about the disability claims process, one of the most important things I can do for folks needing help during this difficult time is to make sure they know what to expect. This is especially true when it comes to the amount of time it could take from initial filing to a favorable [...]
Filed under Delays by
Back in August, 2007, I wrote a blog post entitled “How Long Do I Have to Wait for my Hearing Decision.” Back then I reported that in most cases, a claimant would have to wait two to three months for a hearing decision. Fast forward to 2009. That two to three month period is now [...]
Filed under Administrative Law Judges, Delays, Disability hearings by
Social Security has released its latest reports documenting delays in hearing offices throughout the country. The report, from the Office of the Inspector General, does not contain a comparison to last year’s report but it does appear to me that there has been a slight improvement in reducing delays. In Atlanta, where I practice there [...]
Filed under Delays by
This is completly frustrating! I wrote a dire need letter to my congressman and got an expidited hearing scheduled for March 5, 2008. I am homeless, without a job for 3 years, and have a bipolar diagnoses along with other serious physical problems. I called my lawyer the day before the actual hearing, and was [...]
Filed under Delays, Disability hearings, Strategies for winning by
Finally – some good news about the SSA Disability hearing backlog. In a February 26, 2008 press release, SSA Commissioner Michael Astrue announced that SSA had tendered job offers to 144 of the 175 new Administrative Law Judges that it plans to hire during fiscal year 2008. The press release notes that the agency has [...]
Filed under Delays by
