Having a claim for Social Security disability benefits means being out of work (or at the very least, living on a limited income). That often means that a person can no longer afford to live where they were living before, because there is insufficient money to pay the rent or the mortgage.
Some claimants…
Columbus Day is one of those stealth federal holidays that does not get the attention of Memorial Day or Labor Day. It is relevant for those of us practicing Social Security disability law in the Region 1 (the New England states), because we have a 5-day rule for new evidence.
The 5 days excludes weekends…
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…
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
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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…
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…
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…
The SSA has put a plan together detailing what operations will continue and what tasks will not be undertaken in the event of a government shutdown. The SSA has released its Shutdown 2013 Potocol (link opens a 5-page PDF).
Take a look. Charts on page 3 show what activities the Field Offices and DDS offices…
The status of a representative's claims at the Appeals Council will be added to SSA's online Appointed Representative Services in August. Deputy Commissioner Glenn Sklar made that announcement at the Spring NOSSCR Conference.
This is welcome news. One of the frustrating aspects of dealing with the Appeals Council is that there is not a good…
I will be attending the Spring conference for the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR) being held this week in Washington, D.C.
There is almost always something noteworthy to share from the conference, and I will have a blog post or two about it soon.
I look forward to seeing friends and colleagues…
