SSDI attorney

June 3, 2017

SSDI Appeals in Federal Court

In a recent case from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, which is the circuit in which Massachusetts is located, the court held that 20.C.F.R. 422.210(c), and its five-day grace period is not applicable to cases in which the claimant does not file written exceptions to an administrative law judge’s (ALJ’s) denial leaving the appeals council without proper jurisdiction.

In this case, claimant filed for disability benefits. Her initial application was denied and so was her written request for reconsideration. After her request for reconsideration was denied, she filed a timely request for a hearing before an administrative law judge. The ALJ held a hearing and found she was not entitled to benefits. Continue reading

March 29, 2017

Continuing Disability Reviews: Respond Promptly With SSDI Lawyer

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

By law, the Social Security Administration has to occasionally review the case of every person receiving Social Security Disability Insurance and/ or Supplemental Security Income disability benefits. The process by which this happens is what is called a “continuing disability review.” The intention is to figure out who might no longer qualify as disabled, and therefore who no longer needs benefits.

In general, it’s a lot harder to get benefits in the first place than it is to pass the process of a continuing disability review. That said, it’s wise to consult with an experienced Boston SSDI lawyer because there are a number of pitfalls that can arise throughout this process, and you don’t’ want to suddenly find yourself without much-needed benefits.

Continuing disability reviews are performed at various intervals depending on the underlying condition of the recipient, as well as his or her age. Continue reading

July 23, 2016

Why Was My Social Security Disability Claim Rejected?

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 57 million people – or 1 in 5 – have some type of disability. More than half of those conditions are categorized as “severe.”

In some cases, when disability onset occurs after years of working, disability insurance coverage can help a person to keep their heads above water until they can return to work. However, those suffering from a more severe condition that will result in a year or more off work are going to need more help than that. This is where Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) can help. These benefits can provide long-term financial relief for those coping with severe, ongoing disabilities. However, they must first qualify.

Although the number of SSDI applicants has more than doubled in the last 20 years, approximately two-thirds of applicants are denied. Whereas about half of applicants were approved in 1999, only about one-third were in 2014. This does not mean you should not bother applying. What it does mean is you’ve got to be prepared to make the best case possible before the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). This is why having an SSDI attorney can be so valuable. It also means you need to understand the common reasons people’s SSDI claims are denied. This can help you avoid some common errors. Continue reading