When pursuing a Social Security disability claim, it is important to understand that the disability determination process is not a perfect one. The majority of individuals are denied on their initial application, and, at the end of the appeals process, only 1 in 3 are ultimately approved for receipt of…
Whether you’re a Social Security disability applicant in Maine, Massachusetts or New Hampshire, you will soon face new rules that govern the way in which your disability claim will be evaluated. While some of the rules will be helpful, there are some changes that may prove to be quite harmful…
While the Social Security disability program is meant for those are going to be long-term disabled from working, as a Social Security lawyer handling disability claims and appeals throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine, we’re many times asked what one should do once they’ve just gone out of work from…
As a Social Security lawyer handling the Reconsideration process in Maine and Massachusetts (New Hampshire remains a pilot project state where a claimant goes directly to hearing), it is difficult to inform our clients of the low chance of success at the reconsideration level. However, the work to be undertaken…
While prevailing in your Social Security disability claim may be a huge relief, it is important to remember that there are certain obligations one continues to have with the Social Security Administration (SSA). Likewise, there are a number of considerations one needs to take place moving forward to ensure that…
We face the same question, on a daily basis, from our prospective Maine Social Security disability clients: I have been disabled from working for a number of months, and, prior to contacting your office, I filed a disability claim. I have since been denied. Would you recommend that we appeal…
The Social Security disability hearing process before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) is meant as an opportunity to hear from you as to why you believe you’re unable to work any job for which you’re reasonably suited by age, education and experience. Given this, the ALJ is interested in finding out…
In our prior blog entry, we began explaining the most common reasons claimants face denials of their Social Security disability claims, whether it be at the initial, reconsideration or at the hearing level claim level. Understanding why such denials occur can occur will hopefully help you or a loved one from making the same…
As a practicing Social Security disability lawyer in Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire for the past 35 years, I have had an opportunity to review thousands (1000’s) of disability claims during this time. I have found that there are a number of common themes that arise over and over again…
One of the frequent questions our office receives from claimants we represent in their Social Security disability and Supplemental Security Income claims. First and foremost, the answer every lawyer or claims representative should be providing to their claimant is a resounding yes. One should always attempt to work if they…