Each month, I shine the spotlight on a previous post that discusses an issue regarding Social Security disability law that remains highly relevant today.
It is more important than ever to make your disability claim as strong as possible for your hearing. One aspect of developing the claim file that is often overlooked is a
There is a new scholarly paper discussing Social Security disability and obesity: Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: Stigma and Denial in Social Security Disability Hearings by Professor Chris Pashler (follow the link to read the abstract and/or download a free PDF copy of the paper).
Professor Pashler argues that the stigma attached to morbid obesity
It has been a little over a year since I published my e-book, entitled 10 Steps to Prepare for Your Social Security Disability Hearing. Those who are waiting for their Social Security disability hearings will find helpful information in the book, and can learn how to make their claims stronger. That is more important
Here is the latest compilation of DDS Initial and Reconsideration Allowance Rates by Nation, Region and State (link opens 3-page PDF chart). The data is from FY 2011, and was published in the July 2012 Social Security Forum, a newsletter for NOSSCR members.
I am always intrigued by varying allowance rates among regions of
Every other Friday I link to notable articles regarding Social Security disability. The first four articles address misinformation about the Social Security disability program:
The local Social Security hearing offices have had an uptick in requests for information regarding a person's Social Security information from attorneys before a disability claim has even been filed.
The correct form in these circumstances is the Consent to Release Information, form SSA-3288 (link opens a PDF of the form) rather than the
Most Social Security disability are decided on a medical-vocational basis. To be awarded disability benefits, you first must be unable to perform your past relevant work. Additionally, you must be unable to do other work that exists in substantial numbers in the national economy. This is step 5 of Social Security’s 5-step sequential evaluation
I am old enough to remember Sargeant Phil Esterhaus' trademark phrase on Hill Street Blues: "Let's be careful out there." You should take it to heart.
There is a lot of information regarding Social Security disability available online. Some of it is wrong. Some of it is general in nature, like this site.
Each month, I shine the spotlight on a previous post that discusses an issue regarding Social Security disability law that remains highly relevant today.
Currently, ALJ allowance rates are down sharply. I have offered specific tips for disability claimants in this new environment, and have published an e-book regarding preparing for a hearing (you
Most disability claims are decided on a medical-vocational basis. Sometimes too little attention is paid to the vocational side of the analysis.
I had hearing recently that illustrated the importance of developing the vocational evidence for a disability claim. My client's sole past relevant work was a public insurance adjuster, who is a person hired by individuals to document property damage claims, and then submit the claims to insurance companies. His application for Social Security disability benefits had been denied by DDS on the theory that his "light" residual functional capacity (RFC) would allow performance of his past work as generally performed.
Whenever a claim is denied by DDS with a determination that past work can be done "as generally performed," that should raise a big red flag for the disability lawyer. Continue Reading Don’t Forget the Vocational Evidence