Social Security uses an electronic claim file for its disability claims. Representatives can upload records, forms, and correspondence directly into the file. It is a terrific system, and is appreciated particularly by those of us who have been doing this
Law Offices of Gordon Gates
Gordon Gates is a Social Security disability lawyer. He represents clients with Social Security disability and SSI claims in Maine and New Hampshire.
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Nociplastic pain syndrome
By Gordon Gates
Chronic pain medical terminology is evolving, to reflect ongoing medical research. The latest term to enter my orbit as a Social Security disability lawyer is nociplastic pain syndrome. Nociplastic pain is a type of chronic pain characterized by altered pain…
DDS delays are worsening
By Gordon Gates
Disability Determination Services (DDS) are the state agencies that make initial and reconsideration determinations for Social Security disability and SSI claims. That is where the medical records are ordered and the claim is evaluated by a disability adjudicator.
For quite…
Disability claims are spending months and months at Staging at DDS
By Gordon Gates
Once the field office processes an initial claim for Social Security disability or SSI, the claim gets sent to DDS for a determination. DDS assigns a disability adjudicator who manages the claim. That person will order medical records, send forms…
Avoid Tech Drama: Use Microsoft Teams with Your Client Before the Hearing
By Gordon Gates
Social Security disability hearings are often held by video, using Microsoft Teams. While the shift to video hearings has improved scheduling flexibility and allowed many cases to move forward without long delays, it has also introduced a layer of technology…
Disability Denial Letters
By Gordon Gates
When Social Security denies a claim for disability benefits at the initial or reconsideration level, the SSA provides a personalized “Explanation of Determination,” usually on the last page of the denial letter. The rest of the denial letter is a…
Electronic Folder now provides access to Sections A and B at Initial and Reconsideration levels.
By Gordon Gates
A long-awaited improvement to the Social Security e-file has arrived. The Electronic Folder now provides access to Sections A and B at Initial and Reconsideration levels. This is great news for Social Security disability Representatives, and also for the staff…
New Chief Judge at Portland Maine Hearing Office
By Gordon Gates
Judge Mary Hubert has joined the Portland hearing office as Chief Judge. Judge Hubert replaces Judge Paul Martin, who had been serving as interim Chief Judge. Judge Martin has returned to his previous post at the Manchester hearing office.
Judge…
A year for an initial determination
By Gordon Gates
I have a client with a claim for disability benefits that has been pending at the initial level of review for over 365 days. That is just too long.
This client applied online with me in my office, on April…
ALJ announces Fully Favorable decision at the end of the hearing
By Gordon Gates
My hearings this week with an administrative law judge (ALJ) to determine medical eligibility for Social Security disability benefits followed the usual pattern: opening remarks by the judge and then the claimant’s lawyer (me), the claimant’s testimony, and then testimony…