I get calls (and emails). People find the blog and get in touch with a question, which is terrific. The purpose of the blog is to help.
Every now and then someone gets in touch with this question:
Latest from Social Security Disability Lawyer Blog
Inquire about Unsuccessful Work Attempts when helping a client apply for Disability
I recently helped a client over the age of 55 with their initial application for Social Security disability benefits. I get involved early in these cases because the claimant’s past relevant work is often the most important aspect of the
Social Security announces a massive reorganization
Charles Hall has the details.
Tips and Best Practices
Social Security has just published Tips and Best Practices for Appointed Representatives (link opens a PDF). It is a wide-ranging guide for Representatives navigating Social Security’s rapidly evolving rules regarding representation, registration, and payment.
The PDF includes information about:
- Representative
A winning closing paragraph
When I have a client over the age of 55 with physical impairments, this is typically the final paragraph of my brief for the disability adjudicator or the administrative law judge:
At Step 5 of the sequential evaluation, Mr. Jones
Compassionate Allowances – expedited processing
Social Security has a process for expediting certain disability claims for people with some rare diseases and diagnoses that often have poor outcomes. It is called the Compassionate Allowance program (they abbreviate it as CAL). A list of the conditions
Chronic pain and Social Security disability
There is an excellent recent NY Times Magazine article by Jennifer Kahn, entitled Chronic Pain is a Hidden Epidemic. It’s time for a Revolution. (the link will take you through the paywall).
Many of my clients experience chronic pain. It
New Social Security Ruling 24-3p
Social Security has issued Ruling 24-3p, entitled: Titles II and XVI: Use of Occupational Information and Vocational Specialist and Vocational Expert Evidence in Disability Determinations and Decisions. The Ruling became effective January 6, 2025.
The new Ruling rescinds and
SGA is $1,620 for 2025
Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) is the amount of money that one can earn monthly and still qualify for Social Security disability benefits. The amount is adjusted each year for cost of living, as shown by this table. In 2024,
Hearing Offices are caught up
Here in Maine and New Hampshire, where I attend Social Security disability hearings with administrative law judges, the hearing offices have caught up. Hearings are being scheduled promptly, with 75+ days notice, after the hearing request is processed. Many years