Social Security Disability Law

Our firm takes cases at all levels of review.  These levels include:

• Initial applications
• Requests for Reconsideration
• Hearings in front of an Administrative Law Judge
• Appeals to the Appeals Council
• Appeals to the U.S. District Court
• Appeals to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals

Below is more detailed information on selected topics of interest

• Applying for SSI or SSDI
  • Four misconceptions about the Social Security Disability “system”
  • The top four reasons why Social Security Disability cases are denied at the initial and reconsideration stages of review

• Preparation for disability hearing in front of Administrative Law Judge
  • Ongoing Medical Treatment
  • What to wear to a Social Security Hearing
  • Testimony about pain
  • How to work with your attorney
  • Six tips to prepare for your hearing
  • Meeting the Listings

• Compassionate Allowances
  • Social Security will process disability cases faster for “compassionate” cases

• Veterans
  • Veterans may now find it easier to get their providers to fill out Social Security forms

• Immigration issues combined with Social Security Issues
  • Temporary Protected Status and SSDI
  • Deportation (Removal) and Social Security benefits
  • DACA beneficiaries and Social Security benefits
  • Permanent Residents and SSI

• Specific Impairments/Diseases
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Williams Syndrome
  • Hepatitis C

• Representative Payees
  • What are my responsibilities as a representative payee for a child?

• Appealing a Denial of Disability benefits
  • Lessons learned in 2012 – Always appeal a denial if you think you have a deserving case
  • Ten tips for winning your Social Security Disability case in federal court

• Survivor’s Benefits
  • Are survivors divorced spouse’s benefits retroactive?

• Winning a case for someone over 55
  • Something to look forward to if you are 55 or older – easier to win disability

• Sequential Evaluation
  • Step One – Are you working (engaging in substantial gainful activity)?
    • Earnings Record
  • Step Two – Do you have a severe impairment?
  • Step Three – Do you have an impairment that meets the Listings?
    • Listing 12.05 – Intellectual Disability
  • Step Four – Can you per form past relevant work?
  • Step Five – Is there other work that you can perform?
    • Level of education and ability to do other work

Here are your Local Social Security Offices (click on each map to get full details)