If you have worked at the SGA level at any time since the alleged onset date of your Social Security disability claim, it can be problematic for your claim. You must have (or expect to have) a 12-month period of disability to
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.
Latest from Social Security Disability Lawyer Blog - Page 5
Factors not considered at Step 4 of the Sequential Evaluation
By Gordon Gates
Social Security uses a 5-step sequential evaluation to determine disability. Step 4 comprises your ability to perform your past relevant work (PRW), both as actually performed by you, and as generally performed in the national economy.
There are a number…
Past Relevant Work Overview
By Gordon Gates
In view of the seismic rule change reducing the past relevant work period to 5 years, and new Ruling 24-2p, it is a good time to review the various issues involved with past relevant work (PRW).
At Step 4 of…
OTR Request based on new PRW Rule
By Gordon Gates
If you have a claimant awaiting at the hearing level who was denied benefits by DDS at Step 4 due to the ability to perform a past job, and that job was last performed more than 5 years ago, that…
ERE Status Report Updated
By Gordon Gates
In January, Social Security added claims at Initial and Reconsideration to its status report in Electronic Records Express (ERE). After 5 months using this additional feature, I have found it to be hugely helpful. It is a marked improvement for…
SSA issues two new Emergency Messages regarding certain occupations at Step 5
By Gordon Gates
Social Security released EM-24026, entitled: Isolated Occupations We Will Not Use to Support a “Not Disabled” Finding at Step Five of the Sequential Evaluation Process and EM-24027, entitled: Guidance Regarding the Citation of Certain Occupations at Step Five of…
5-year period for PRW now in effect
By Gordon Gates
The new 5-year period for past relevant work (PRW) becomes effective today. New DDS determinations and ALJ decisions will only evaluate 5 years of past work. The 5 years runs from the date of adjudication (or the date last insured,…
Social Security issues Ruling 24-2p “Titles II and XVI: How We Evaluate Past Relevant Work”
By Gordon Gates
SSA issued Social Security Ruling 24-2p to clarify how past relevant work (PRW) is evaluated. It is a comprehensive look at PRW. This Ruling rescinds SSR 86-8, and rescinds and replaces SSRs 82-61 and 82-62.
The Ruling poses and answers…
Social Security issues Ruling 24-1p “Titles II and XVI: How We Apply Medical-Vocational Profiles”
By Gordon Gates
New Ruling 24-1p addresses three medical-vocational “profiles” that are occasionally applicable in disability claims. The profiles are considered at Step 5 of the sequential evaluation. If you meet the criteria of the profile at Step 5, you will be found…
5-year PRW Rule delayed 2 weeks
By Gordon Gates
On April 18, 2024, Social Security published a final rule revising the period for Past Relevant Work (PRW) from 15 years to 5 years. That published rule contained an implementation date of June 8, 2024.
A notice in today’s Federal…