Social Security recently changed its rules regarding videoteleconferencing (VTC), and is now sending notices regarding VTC at an early stage of the hearing level. The new notice requires a decision within 30 whether or not to object to a video hearing. Previously, the objection to VTC was not made until the time a hearing was
Dedicated to Changing Lives
Welcome! This site is written for Social Security disability claimants, for their legal representatives, and for the network of people involved in the Social Security disability claim process. I hope you find it helpful.
If you would like assistance with your Social Security disability claim, please contact Gordon Gates or complete a Free Claim Review form
Characteristics of a great Administrative Law Judge
I had a hearing recently with a terrific Social Security administrative law judge. The experience got me thinking about the characteristics you want in a judge. Here are a few:
Good listener – the purpose of a Social Security disability hearing is to take testimony from the claimant. You want a judge who is actively
The 2013 Waterfall Chart
Each Spring, the SSA releases statistics from the previous fiscal year in an easy to understand format, the “waterfall” chart. The chart shows the percentage of claims approved and denied at the various levels of review.
The latest chart shows that allowed claims are down at every level of review, and Appeals Council remands are
ECT and Social Security disability
Severe depression is a basis for Social Security disability. Depression is analyzed under listed impairment 12.04.
Sometimes a patient's depression is so deep, and/or so unresponsive to medication, that electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is prescribed. It is not a procedure to undertake lightly, because the risks and potential side effects can be significant.
Having representing
Get your doctor’s opinion
When the SSA reviews your initial disability claim, it obtains your medical records, and determines your residual functional capacity after analyzing those records. The problem with this approach is that the SSA does not obtain your doctor's opinion about your limitations. Rather, the SSA reviews your medical records and makes its own determination.
However, a
Social Security Statement available online
Until a few years ago, we all used to receive a Social Security statement in the mail each year. The statement contains a record of the earnings upon which you have paid Social Security taxes over the years, and an estimate of the benefits you may earn as a result.
To save money, these statements
Winning at Reconsideration
Many clients make first contact with me after receiving a denial letter for an initial application for Social Security disability benefits. It is crucial to appeal the denial of your benefits right away.
After an appeal, the next step is Reconsideration. At Reconsideration the claim goes back to DDS, but gets assigned to a
ALJ hearing: preparing your testimony
I have a whole booklet about preparing your case for a Social Security disability hearing (you can download a pdf of the booklet for free). This post concerns preparing your testimony for the disability hearing.
You should expect to testify at your hearing, and that testimony can be critically important to your claim. One of
Compassionate Allowance – Spinocerebellar Ataxia
For several years, Social Security has had a list of medical conditions that qualify for compassionate allowances. If you have one of these diagnoses and have stopped working, then the SSA has an expedited process to establish disability.
In general, compassionate allowance claims are granted before a disability lawyer ever becomes involved. So it