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
Social Security Disability Lawyer Blog
The Social Security Disability Lawyer Blog, published by the Law Offices of Gordon Gates, focuses on issues related to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims. It covers topics such as claim filing procedures, common challenges like claim denials and administrative delays, and updates on Social Security Administration operations including field office staffing and electronic records management. The blog also discusses medical conditions relevant to disability claims and provides guidance on navigating the disability determination process. It serves as a resource for individuals seeking legal assistance with disability benefits in Maine, New Hampshire, and nationwide.
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Disability is (still) Functionality
By Gordon Gates
On this day in 2008, I published a post on this blog titled “Disability is Functionality.” All these years later, it remains true.
Claimants often are surprised to learn that their disability applications were denied even though their…
Representative Fee Cap is now $9,200
By Gordon Gates
The new fee cap, announced back in March, is now in effect. The relevant date for the fee cap is the date of the approval fee agreement. So if the fee agreement was approved prior to November 30, 2024 but…
Social Security Announces 2.5 Percent Benefit Increase for 2025
By Gordon Gates
Those receiving Social Security benefits, including disability and SSI, will receive a 2.5% increase in 2025.
New Work History Report
By Gordon Gates
Social Security is now using an updated version of its Work History Report, form SSA-3369-BK.
Of course, a new Work History form was necessary when the period of time for past relevant work was changed from 15 years to…
John Oliver on our broken disability system
By Gordon Gates
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 “Light” pysical RFC for claimants over age 55 with disability claims based on mental health symptoms
By Gordon Gates
A person’s mental health is often the basis of a disability claim. That person’s past relevant work (PRW) is often precluded by their mental health symptoms at Step 4 of the Social Security’s sequential evaluation. Frequently assessed functional limitations…
Video (and telephone) hearings are now the most prevalent
By Gordon Gates
I had an in-person hearing at the Portland Hearing office last week, on September 10th. When I signed in, I noticed that no one had signed in to the hearing office since August 22nd, 3 weeks before. Sign-ins before that…
The effect of a limitation to “simple tasks” on skilled work
By Gordon Gates
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…
Recent denial based upon outdated PRW
By Gordon Gates
I just signed up a new client who was initially denied disability benefits at step 4 of the sequential evaluation, based upon a job he last performed in 2016.
It is often an issue in a disability claim when…