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 »
Welcoming new attorney Dori Leland
Greeman Toomey PLLC would like to welcome new associate attorney Dori Leland. You can learn about Dori on our Attorneys page.
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 »
The Adult Disability Report (part II)
TAMING THE BEAST: THE ADULT DISABILITY REPORT PART 2 OR REALLY… WE HAVE TO REMEMBER ALL THAT… HOW? In part 1, we learned the reasons why the SSA asks for a mass quantity of specific information (medical history, prescriptions, work history, significant dates in the work history), it’s time to figure out preparation. Before you… Read more »
The Adult Disability Report (Part I)
TAMING THE BEAST: THE ADULT DISABILITY REPORT PART I or REALLY…WE HAVE TO REMEMBER ALL THAT… WHY? Despite the several different ways of filling out an initial application for Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income (online, over the phone, in person at your local SSA office), there is no getting around the fact… Read more »
Unsuccessful Work Attempt
As mentioned in the previous post entitled “Understanding the Sequential Evaluation Process,” at step one of the sequential evaluation the SSA inquires whether the individual applying for benefits is working. If the individual is currently working the SSA will examine how much the individual is earning per month. Typically if an individual’s monthly gross income… Read more »
Date Last Insured and Quarters of Coverage Credits
You might hear the term “Date Last Insured” or its acronym “DLI” being used when attorneys and the Social Security Administration (SSA) discuss an individual’s eligibility for disability benefits. This is the last date a disability is covered by Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB). The disability must be present (but not necessarily diagnosed) on… Read more »
The Appeals Council Process
If you receive an unfavorable hearing decision from an Administrative Law Judge, there is one more level of appeal within the Social Security Administration’s adjudication process. This final step is called Appeals Council, or AC, review. If you do not want to file an appeal with the AC, your other option is to re-file your… Read more »
