I had a video hearing Monday morning, 4 days ago. I felt good about the hearing and the claim overall. Now, Friday morning before 8:00 AM, a Fully Favorable decision has already been issued.
Waiting for a decision is hard for clients, particularly clients with some level of anxiety. To get a decision so quickly
The addition of initial and Reconsideration status reports to Social Security’s Electronic Records Express (ERE) platform has been a real benefit for my practice. I have a number of claims at the initial and reconsideration levels, and it is much easier to track their progress now that they are all listed on ERE.
The next
I have had several claims this year granted on the record. An “on the record” (OTR) request asks Social Security to grant your case on the record without a hearing. This request is for claims pending at the hearing level at the Office of Hearings Operations.
OTRs are favored by Social Security, because they save
The latest waterfall chart has been released. I love this chart, and have been posting annually on this blog for years.
The vocational expert did not comply with the requirements of Social Security Ruling 24- 3p, and the Administrative Law Judge did not otherwise obtain the needed information (see also HALLEX
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.
We are now seeing growing delays in Staging, which occurs after an initial claim claim or
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 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
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
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