The Social Security Administration (SSA) maintains a list of medical conditions that are so severe they automatically mean that you are disabled. If your condition is not on the list, the SSA must decide if it is of equal severity to a medical condition that is on the list. The rules state that an Administrative… Read more »
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Your Medical Records and the Social Security Administration
Medical records play a crucial part in showing whether someone is eligible for Disability Insurance Benefits and Supplemental Security Income. Your records are the primary source used by the Social Security Administration, the state-level Disability Determination Services (DDS), and the SSA Administrative Law Judges to determine whether you are disabled under the SSA’s rules. The… Read more »
Why Hire an Attorney?
No one needs an attorney or a representative to apply for Social Security disability benefits. The process is described as “non adversarial,” which means that the Social Security Administration (SSA) tries to be accessible, and to help you through the process of applying and gathering medical evidence. However, most people find communications from the government… Read more »
How Much Is an Attorney Going to Cost Me?
The decision to hire an attorney for any reason is not one to be taken lightly. When most people consider hiring an attorney they try to balance quality and quantity – as in how much is this going to cost? Disability attorneys, including the attorneys at Greeman Toomey Law Office, work on a contingency basis…. Read more »
Families face long waits for Social Security disability benefits
A recent article by Yvonne Wenger featured in the Baltimore Sun highlights one family’s lengthy battle to win a Social Security Disability claim. After nine years of pursuing his claim Jim Nichols is owed more than $206,000 from the Social Security Administration. The article focuses on the lengthy process most applicants are forced to endure… Read more »
Past Relevant Work and “Other Work”
The Social Security Administration considers disability cases based on a medical and vocational (work related) criteria. The first step in proving you are disabled to earn Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits is to show that you are unable to perform the type of work you used to perform, prior to being disabled. In addition… Read more »
What your Case Manager does
As a case manager, I conduct interviews with clients, complete initial applications, and file appeals. I also answer incoming calls from clients and make sure SSA is updated when necessary. One of the questions clients commonly ask is – when do I need to call my case manager? You should contact your case manager right… Read more »
What Is Disability Determination Services(DDS)?
After you’ve filed a Social Security Disability (SSD) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claim with the Social Security Administration (SSA) your local Social Security office will evaluate the non-medical and technical aspects of the claim. If you meet the technical requirements for one of the benefit programs your claim will be transferred to a state… Read more »
Why Social Security Matters
Yesterday, Stephen Ohlemacher of the Associated Press issued a great article reminding us of the importance and scope of the Social Security program. The article, available on-line here, is entitled “WHY IT MATTERS: Social Security.” The most refreshing part of this synopsis of Social Security’s current situation and its upcoming challenges is the article’s upbeat… Read more »
Why was the Judge Asking the Work Expert about “Hypotheticals?!”
If you just went through a hearing in front of a Social Security Administrative Law Judge, you may be wondering what was going on during the latter part of the hearing, when the Judge turned to the work expert and started listing off various activities like “crouching, crawling, kneeling” and the expert responded with a… Read more »
