2 days ago3 minHow to Use an On-The-Record Request to Win Your CaseHere are a few tips for knowing which cases will benefit with an OTR and how to draft one.
Mar 73 minHow to Prepare for a CDR or Appeals Council Quality ReviewThe SSA is increasing CDRs while the Appeals Council is picking up favorable ALJ decisions for Quality Review. Here's how to prepare to win.
Nov 14, 20193 minFailure to Follow Prescribed Treatment: Arguing 'Good Cause' for an SSD CaseLearn how to argue 'good cause' using SSR Ruling 18-3p in SSD cases for claimants not following prescribed treatment
Oct 28, 20192 minAppeal an Unfavorable Decision Based on Common Errors in SSD LawWhen an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) denies the disability claim at the hearing level, as the Social Security Disability representative, you must decide if...
Oct 21, 20192 minHow to Use an Unsuccessful Work Attempt and Trial Work Period to Your AdvantageIt’s probably happened to you before—while screening a case, you notice there is work activity after the alleged onset date. The potential client tells you t...
Oct 7, 20192 minPrevent the Appeals Council From Remanding Your Fully Favorable ALJ DecisionRecently, several fully favorable ALJ decisions were vacated and remanded due to incorrect listing criteria were used in the decision. Altho
Sep 9, 20192 minSSD Conferences: Opportunities for Strategic Networking and Enhanced KnowledgeI’m on my way to the 40th anniversary of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR) conference in New Orleans. Coincide...
Jul 9, 20193 minHow to Strategically Use Social Security Disability BriefsAs a former OHO adjudicator and ALJ decision writer, I know that most Social Security Disability (SSD) adjudicators appreciate briefs from Social Security Di...
Jun 17, 20192 minGain an Advantage at the Reconsideration Level: Helpful Strategies for SSD RepresentativesMany Social Security Disability representatives in protype states are experiencing an additional level of the appeals process: the reconsideration level. As ...
May 26, 20192 minSupporting Pain, Fatigue, and Depression in Social Security Disability ClaimsAdministrative Law Judges (ALJs) and Social Security Administration (SSA) adjudicators appreciate objective medical evidence because it makes adjudicating So...
May 19, 20192 minHow to Use a Client’s Body Mass Index to Win Social Security DisabilityIn certain situations, the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) policies allow adjudicators to use a claimant’s body mass index (BMI) to determine disabili...
May 13, 20192 minHow to Use Evidence from SSA’s Nonacceptable Medical Sources with New SSA RulesBased on new rules that became effective in March 2017, it’s possible to win cases by using evidence from Social Security Administration’s (
Feb 25, 20193 minGaining the Advantage: Understand the Adjudicator Mindset and Use the Disability Determination ExamiUsing the Disability Determination Examination can be highly effective. Often, the Disability Determination Services minimizes or entirely d
Feb 22, 20193 minThe Transition From Working as a Social Security Disability Adjudicator to a Social Security RepreseMy previous experience as a disability adjudicator involved adjudicating disability cases and writing ALJ decisions—which gave me an advanta
Oct 8, 20183 minUnderstanding How to Use the Framework of the Medical-Vocational Grid Rules to Win More CasesIt’s important to know a Social Security Disability adjudicator can find the disability claimant is disabled, even if the Medical-Vocational Grid Rules (“Rul...
Jun 1, 20182 minGrandparents Can Get Disability Benefits When Caring for Their GrandchildrenMany grandparents are finding retirement much different than expected—in 2016, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that 7.27 million grandparent