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 2025, the amount was $1,620 per month. This year, it rises to $1,690. SGA is based
Social Security and the Shutdown
Social Security field offices, hearing offices, and the Appeals Council are all operating during the shutdown. Those staffing Social Security offices are not receiving their paychecks during the shutdown. However, they continue to stoically go about their duties.
DDS offices are operating as well. However, DDS does not have funding for consultative exams during the
Social Security Field Offices are Understaffed
I deal with the folks at Social Security field offices all the time. They are understaffed and under stress.
The New York Times reports on this today (gift article):
A Diminished Social Security Work Force, and Its Customers, Feel the Strain
Problems with Electronic Records Express?
Social Security uses an electronic claim file for its disability claims. Representatives can upload records, forms, and correspondence directly into the file. It is a terrific system, and is appreciated particularly by those of us who have been doing this long enough to know what it was like using the old paper claim files, circa
Nociplastic pain syndrome
Chronic pain medical terminology is evolving, to reflect ongoing medical research. The latest term to enter my orbit as a Social Security disability lawyer is nociplastic pain syndrome. Nociplastic pain is a type of chronic pain characterized by altered pain processing in the nervous system, where pain is experienced despite the absence of clear
DDS delays are worsening
Disability Determination Services (DDS) are the state agencies that make initial and reconsideration determinations for Social Security disability and SSI claims. That is where the medical records are ordered and the claim is evaluated by a disability adjudicator.
For quite a while, there has been a bottleneck at DDS for claims awaiting medical review, and
Disability claims are spending months and months at Staging at DDS
Once the field office processes an initial claim for Social Security disability or SSI, the claim gets sent to DDS for a determination. DDS assigns a disability adjudicator who manages the claim. That person will order medical records, send forms to the claimant for completion, and ultimately will make a determination of whether or not
Avoid Tech Drama: Use Microsoft Teams with Your Client Before the Hearing
Social Security disability hearings are often held by video, using Microsoft Teams. While the shift to video hearings has improved scheduling flexibility and allowed many cases to move forward without long delays, it has also introduced a layer of technology that can catch clients—and sometimes representatives—off guard.
Many claimants have never used Microsoft Teams before
Disability Denial Letters
When Social Security denies a claim for disability benefits at the initial or reconsideration level, the SSA provides a personalized “Explanation of Determination,” usually on the last page of the denial letter. The rest of the denial letter is a form letter. Often my first contact with a prospective client is after that person has received
Electronic Folder now provides access to Sections A and B at Initial and Reconsideration levels.
A long-awaited improvement to the Social Security e-file has arrived. The Electronic Folder now provides access to Sections A and B at Initial and Reconsideration levels. This is great news for Social Security disability Representatives, and also for the staff at local Social Security field offices.
Having access to the A section of the folder