I recently helped a client over the age of 55 with their initial application for Social Security disability benefits. I get involved early in these cases because the claimant’s past relevant work is often the most important aspect of the claim, and I want to ensure that both the application and the Work History Report
Social Security announces a massive reorganization
Charles Hall has the details.
Tips and Best Practices
Social Security has just published Tips and Best Practices for Appointed Representatives (link opens a PDF). It is a wide-ranging guide for Representatives navigating Social Security’s rapidly evolving rules regarding representation, registration, and payment.
The PDF includes information about:
A winning closing paragraph
When I have a client over the age of 55 with physical impairments, this is typically the final paragraph of my brief for the disability adjudicator or the administrative law judge:
At Step 5 of the sequential evaluation, Mr. Jones is 58 years old. He does not have acquired job skills that transfer to a
Compassionate Allowances – expedited processing
Social Security has a process for expediting certain disability claims for people with some rare diseases and diagnoses that often have poor outcomes. It is called the Compassionate Allowance program (they abbreviate it as CAL). A list of the conditions which qualify for the program is here.
Although Social Security uses the same criteria
Chronic pain and Social Security disability
There is an excellent recent NY Times Magazine article by Jennifer Kahn, entitled Chronic Pain is a Hidden Epidemic. It’s time for a Revolution. (the link will take you through the paywall).
Many of my clients experience chronic pain. It is good to see the issue starting to get the attention it deserves from the
New Social Security Ruling 24-3p
Social Security has issued Ruling 24-3p, entitled: Titles II and XVI: Use of Occupational Information and Vocational Specialist and Vocational Expert Evidence in Disability Determinations and Decisions. The Ruling became effective January 6, 2025.
The new Ruling rescinds and replaces Ruling 00-4p. The new Ruling follows two emergency messages from last year
SGA is $1,620 for 2025
Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) is the amount of money that one can earn monthly and still qualify for Social Security disability benefits. The amount is adjusted each year for cost of living, as shown by this table. In 2024, the amount was $1,550 per month. This year, it rises to $1,620. SGA is based
Hearing Offices are caught up
Here in Maine and New Hampshire, where I attend Social Security disability hearings with administrative law judges, the hearing offices have caught up. Hearings are being scheduled promptly, with 75+ days notice, after the hearing request is processed. Many years ago, when I started handling these cases, the hearing offices had a large backlog of
Disability is (still) Functionality
On this day in 2008, I published a post on this blog titled “Disability is Functionality.” All these years later, it remains true.
Claimants often are surprised to learn that their disability applications were denied even though their doctors provided a letter stating that their patient is disabled, or their medical records show