It can be difficult to get a treating doctor to complete Social Security's medical source statement. When a doctor balks at completing the form, sometimes the doctor will suggest a referral to a physiatrist or a physical therapist for an evaluation, so that the form regarding work-related limitations can be completed. One of my
Happy Halloween
Here is our official portrait of Bridget in a pumpkin costume for her first Halloween. She is 6 months old.
New Site for New Hampshire Disability Claimants
I have a new spot on the web for New Hampshire Social Security disability claims. The site is very informative, and was put together by James Attorney Marketing, an arm of James Publishing, a respected publisher of law books on Social Security law and many other topics.
If you scroll down to the
Disability Blog Roundup – 10/29
Here are links to recent notable articles from the Social Security disability blogs.
- Drafting Pre-Hearing Briefs – Advice for Claimants from the Musings on Social Security blog published by Thomas O’Brien
- Applying for both unemployment and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) in NC from the NC Attorney Blog published by the Law Offices of James
Portland Hearing Office Processing Time
The latest average processing time statistics for Social Security hearing offices around the country were distributed by NOSSCR in the September 2010 Social Security Forum, a newsletter for NOSSCR members.
The average processing time for the Portland, Maine hearing office is now just 336 days, which is about 11 months.
Processing time runs from
Post-Hearing Memorandum
Loyal readers know that I am a strong proponent of the hearing brief, which is filed into the record ahead of a Social Security disability hearing to assist the judge in the evaluation of the claim. Sometimes a post hearing memorandum is also called for.
In my experience, a post hearing memorandum is needed
Different results between DDS and the ALJs
In a recent blog post, attorney Charles Hall asked Why The Differences Between DDS And ALJs? Mr. Hall's post discussed an Office of Inspector General report which addressed the issue of differing allowance rates among the ALJs and the various state DDS agencies. The OIG report is definitely worth a look (link opens a pdf).
Social Security Disability Blog Roundup – 10/15
Here are links to recent notable posts from the Social Security disability blogs:
- When do Social Security benefits stop after incarceration from the Social Security Insider blog published by Tomasz Stasiuk
- Medical Diagnosis Alone Is Not Enough in Social Security Disability Case from the Indiana Social Security Disability Attorney blog published by Tom Ebbinghouse
- Compassionate
Disability Attorney Collette Cushing Joins Firm
I am pleased to announce that attorney Collette Cushing has joined my disability practice. Like me, Collette practices exclusively in the area of Social Security disability. Collette has prepared and conducted hundreds of Social Security hearings in Maine and New Hampshire. She will be involved with all aspects of the practice.
Collette Cushing attended Bowdoin College, where
Binder Sues the SSA for 3-way Video
I will be the first to say that I am not a fan the “national” social security claimant representative firms. I think claimants are often not well served by such firms, and many claimants do not realize that the “advocates” they hire are not necessarily attorneys.
I have written about these topics before. See