SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY LAW

Why do you need an attorney on your Social Security disability claim? Many people think that winning a Social Security disability claim is a simple matter of applying for benefits, perhaps having your Doctor vouch for your disability and waiting for the Social Security Administration to issue an...

Ussama A. Mando sought judicial review of the Commissioner of Social Security’s decision that he was not “disabled” under the Social Security Act. Mr. Mando and the Commissioner consented to proceed before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. Mr. Mando disagreed with the Administrative Law Judge’s (“ALJ”)...

An individual with a condition that is listed on the Compassionate Allowance List (CAL) will have their claim expedited. The Social Security Administration has established a goal of processing these claims within 20 days. In order to be recognized as having a condition on the CAL, an individual...

A while back, one of our  disability blog  posts mentioned a massive Social Security disability scammers case. The scheme was led and carried out primarily by members of the FDNY and NYPD.  It is estimated that the scheme began in 1988 and, during its more than 25 years, defrauded the Social...

As attorneys at a law firm, we work with a lot of disabled individuals and the word stress often comes to mind as we consider our client's needs.  Disabilities are stressful.  Tasks and activities that were once simple, like walking to get the mail or shopping for groceries, become a process often...

What do you do if you've received an unfavorable Social Security decision?  We have talked in prior disability law blog posts about the high likelihood that an initial claim filed with the Social Security Administration (SSA) will be denied.  This is a very common occurrence and one that clients...

Which Social Security benefit is appropriate for your situation?  You’ve heard of Social Security. You’ve heard of Disability. You’ve heard of Social Security Disability. You’ve heard of Supplemental Security Income. Your head is spinning. Are they different words for the same concept? Are they all...

On a number of occasions, I have been faced with the doctrine of Res Judicata and Administrative Finality in dealing with the question of whether I could reopen a prior claim.  It is fairly common knowledge that an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) has the discretion to reopen a prior claim for "good...

As a Social Security disability attorney, I find myself faced with instances when an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) denies my client disability benefits after a hearing because he or she found that the claimant failed to follow a prescribed treatment.  In a recent decision I appealed to the 10th...

What should you say at your Social Security hearing?  When you go before an administrative law judge (ALJ) for your Social Security hearing, it helps to know how to best communicate with the judge. I always give my clients three rules to follow: