#SocialSecurityAdministration

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Gain an Advantage at the Reconsideration Level: Helpful Strategies for SSD Representatives

Many Social Security Disability representatives in protype states are experiencing an additional level of the appeals process: the reconsideration level. As the Social Security Administration (SSA) promised, it is eliminating protype states; by 2020, all states will have the reconsideration level of the appeals process. As a Social Security Disability representative, it is important to utilize information at the reconsideration level to your advantage. Here are two strategies

2 min

Supporting Pain, Fatigue, and Depression in Social Security Disability Claims

Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) and Social Security Administration (SSA) adjudicators appreciate objective medical evidence because it makes adjudicating Social Security Disability (SSD) cases easier. Finding someone disabled or not disabled has significant consequences; many Social Security claimants are living with family, on the brink of eviction, or homeless. Therefore, evidence that helps adjudicators make the right decision as soon as possible is appreciated. However,

2 min

How to Use a Client’s Body Mass Index to Win Social Security Disability

In certain situations, the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) policies allow adjudicators to use a claimant’s body mass index (BMI) to determine disability. BMI is determined based on an individual’s height and weight. A claimant whose BMI is 17.5 or lower may meet a Listing. If their BMI is 30 or over, it is considered obese; some Listings and Social Security Ruling (SSR) 02-1p require the adjudicator to consider obesity in conjunction with impairments. Where to Find a C

4 min

Examining the Reconsideration Level, Part 3: Quantity at the Reconsideration Level—Temporary Hiring

This is Part 3 of the series Examining the Reconsideration Level. Read Part 1: Trust at the Reconsideration Level—Challenges and Solutions and Part 2: Quality at the Reconsideration Level—Challenges and Solutions. Earlier, in Part 1: Trust at the Reconsideration Level, we discussed why creating and sustaining trust is essential to improving the Social Security Disability (SSD) adjudication process and reducing appeals. In Part 2: Quality at the Reconsideration Level, we revi

2 min

Examining the Reconsideration Level, Part 2: Quality at the Reconsideration Level—Challenges and Sol

This is Part 2 of the series Examining the Reconsideration Level. Read Part 1: Trust at the Reconsideration Level—Challenges and Solutions and Part 3: Quantity at the Reconsideration Level—Temporary hiring Based on Production Needs. Balancing quality and quantity in a production-paced work environment is a challenge. As a Social Security Disability adjudicator, this is a lot of pressure—I know this from personal experience. There is only a short amount of time to decide wheth

4 min

Examining the Reconsideration Level, Part 1: Trust at the Reconsideration Level—Challenges and Solut

This is Part 1 of the series Examining the Reconsideration Level. Read Part 2: Quality at the Reconsideration Level—Challenges and Solutions and Part 3: Quantity at the Reconsideration Level—Temporary hiring Based on Production Needs. The Social Security Administration (SSA) deserves credit for relentlessly trying to improve the adjudication process. Over the years, the reconsideration level of the adjudicative process has been reevaluated on numerous occasions. As a Social S

3 min

Improving the Reconsideration Appeals Process

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is reinstating the reconsideration level appeals process for the 10 prototype states by the end of

3 min

Understanding How to Use the Framework of the Medical-Vocational Grid Rules to Win More Cases

It’s important to know a Social Security Disability adjudicator can find the disability claimant is disabled, even if the Medical-Vocational Grid Rules (“Rules”) direct a finding of no disability. This is known as using a “framework” of the Rule—and it’s just as important to understand how it can be applied to the adjudicative process. In my experience an SSA adjudicator, it is rare to have a fact pattern when a disability claimant has only exertional limitations. Thus, SSA a

3 min

Sustaining Quality and Productivity in the Social Security Disability Industry

There are a number of strategies for sustaining quality work, including adding value, being active in the SSD community, providing Social Se

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