The Greeman Toomey Blog is updated nearly every day with insights, updates and explanations of the issues surrounding the practice of Social Security Disability law. The group of content writers for the GT Blog is comprised of 10 SSDI attorneys and a couple experienced paralegals who deal directly with their subject matter daily. If you… Read more »
Blog
Updating Medical Information
Keeping your Social Security attorney’s office informed of any changes in your medical condition and where you are treating for your conditions is imperative to proving to the Social Security Administration that you are disabled. A large portion of the evidence used to prove your case comes from the medical records obtained from your treating… Read more »
My hearings been transferred to the National Hearing Center, what is that?
The National Hearing Center (NHC) was developed in 2008 to reduce the wait time for a hearing by an Administrative Law Judge. Currently there are five NHC offices across the country. According to an SSA report, in 2010 and 2011 the 5 NHCs processed more than 56,000 claims to assist hearing offices with their backlogged… Read more »
What is Date Last Insured?
When applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) your date last insured is a crucial aspect of whether you meet the technical aspects of this disability program. Social Security has set specific guidelines for who can qualify for disability programs and these guidelines must be met even before the question of disability is decided. The… Read more »
Will Private Disability or Workers’ Compensation Affect my Disability Benefits?
Normally, your private disability insurance benefits will not affect your ability to receive Social Security disability. Private disability plans are viewed as an insurance policy and your eligibility to receive benefits under these policies will not affect your eligibility for Social Security disability benefits. It should be noted however, that some private insurers may require… Read more »
The Availability of Medical Consultants to Advise on Disability Cases
Social Security has a variety of consultants, both medical and vocational, who are routinely called upon as experts in Social Security disability cases. It would seem to follow that since these individuals are seen as experts by Social Security, they would prove valuable informational sources for claimants as well. Right? Wrong. On July 9, 2010… Read more »
Can the Government Stop my Benefits?
Once you are found disabled, typically, your benefits will continue until some condition occurs which causes them to stop. A number of conditions can make this occur, including: returning to work, an improvement in your disabling condition, reaching retirement age, confinement in prison or jail, and/or an increase in assets. If you return to work… Read more »
Weight of Different Types of Evidence
There are many types of evidence which can be considered by Social Security when determining whether a claimant is disabled. This includes statements made by the claimant, third party observations (friends and relatives who routinely observe a claimants functioning), statements by your employers, statements and records made by treating doctors, and opinions of consultative examiners…. Read more »
Classifying the Physical Demands of Occupations: Part I – Strength
This is the first installment in the blog series titled “Classifying the Physical Demands of Occupations.” When evaluating a claim for Social Security disability benefits and/or Supplemental Security Income the Social Security Administration (SSA) must classify the physical demands of your past relevant work and potentially the physical demands of other jobs that exist in… Read more »
Doctor accuses patients of gaming disability system. Disability attorney disagrees
In a recent article titled “Patients are gaming thedisability system — at high cost to themselves and society” Dr. Marnin E. Fischbach explains how he believes many of his health patients are abusing the SSA Disability program. His article states that many of his patients have gotten approved for benefits and since have had their… Read more »