My colleague Jonathan Ginsberg posted this before I did. So did Charles Hall.
Here is John Oliver commenting on our broken disability system.
The effect of a limitation to “simple tasks” on skilled work
One of the most frequent limitations assessed by Social Security due to a claimant’s mental health symptoms is a limitation to simple tasks. That limitation alone is not disabling, by any means. But it can have a significant effect on a disability claim when combined with physical limitations. For claimants over the age of
IRWEs – Impairment Related Work Expenses
If you have monthly earnings above the level of substantial gainful activity, it is problematic for your disability or SSI claim.
For 2023, the SGA amount is $1,470. Earnings over that monthly amount can present real challeges to receiving benefits. Depending upon the circumstances, you can be denied benefits or the benefits you receive
Juneteenth Federal Holiday – 5 day Rule
New evidence for Social Security claims must be submitted 5 business days ahead of the hearing. See 20 CFR 404.935(a) and HALLEX I-2-5-13. With a typical weekend, that’s 7 days ahead of the hearing. Holidays, which are of course not business days, must be accounted for as well. So beware the 3-day holiday weekend
15 year Blogiversary
My first post on this blog was 15 years ago today! It is hard to believe that 15 years have gone by. Both personally and professionally, much has changed since I began.
Personally, I was newly married when I started the blog. We had just bought a house. We now have a 13 year old
NOSSCR in DC next week
The annual NOSSCR conference will be in Washington, DC next week, beginning Wednesday, May 3rd. I am a sustaining member of NOSSCR, and will be there.
The NOSSCR conference is always a good chance to learn, and to get perspectives from others around the country who also specialize in Social Security disability law.
Please say
Social Security has redesigned it website
Social Security has comprehensibly redesigned its website.
Some of the changes are discussed in a post on the Social Security blog.
I noticed that SSA revamped the online appeal page, making it much easier to understand and use.
The DDS Backlog is (finally) national news
I recently wrote about the DDS backlogs in my geographical area of practice.
Today the Washington Post has elevated the issue to national news:
Social Security offices critical to disability benefits hit breaking point
12/07/2022 Update: Congress has taken notice.
New Hampshire DDS has a 6-month backlog
Disability Determination Services (DDS) state agencies make initial and reconsideration determinations on Social Security disability claims. These agencies have had massive turnover in the past few years. I used to work repeatedly with the same group of disability examiners. These days, I am constantly seeing new examiners. Adding to the turnover problem, it takes months
SGA will be $1,470 for 2023
Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) is the amount of money that one can earn and still qualify for Social Security disability benefits. The amount is adjusted each year for inflation, as shown by this table. In 2022, the amount is $1,350. For 2023, the amount goes up to 1,470.
The SGA amount is important for