When the Social Security Administration considers a disability claim, their decision-makers use a five-step sequential evaluation process. See, 20. C.F.R. 404.1520 in the Code of Federal Regulations. Here, disability attorney Sam Coring will explain substantial gainful activity. Step one of that process is determining if the claimant (person applying for disability benefits) is engaged in “substantial gainful activity,” or what is … Read More
RGG Law News: Court Decision Impacts Social Security
Social Security Administration issued a statement that it is working with the Department of Justice regarding the issues created by the recent Supreme Court decision recognizing same-sex marriages. RGG Law stays up to date on all things concerning Social Security. SSA is working to resolve issues regarding the date of recognition of marriages by state; how to consider children of … Read More
Tips from a Disability Attorney: The Worth of Doctors’ Opinions
Social Security Disability cases are not decided by you disability attorney or by your work’s human resources department. Federal Administrative Law Judges conduct disability hearings. These judges decide cases based upon the testimony of witnesses your disability attorney provides at the hearing and, most importantly, the medical evidence of record. Medical evidence considered by the judge is accorded varying degrees … Read More
RGG Law Disability Attorneys’ Support NOSSCR
While it may not be a household name, disability attorneys who are serious about representing disabled workers on Social Security Disability cases are familiar with a group known as the National Organization of Social Security Claimant’s Representatives (NOSSCR). Based in Washington, D.C., NOSSCR lobbies Congress and the White House on issues related to disability law. The disability attorneys at RGG … Read More
Our Disability Attorneys Decode Commonly Used Acronyms
Anytime you deal with a government agency or program, with its various rules and regulations, you can expect an “alphabet soup” of special acronyms and abbreviations with special meaning. Experienced disability attorneys will obviously know what the acronyms mean, but an ordinary citizen may find the abbreviations bewildering. The RGG Law disability attorneys have compiled a limited but helpful list … Read More
RGG Law Discusses the SSA 2015 Budget
In 1994, the Social Security Administration (SSA) had approximately 70,000 employees compared to its current staffing levels of 62,000. In the fiscal year 2014, SSA officials processed 2.86 million applications for disability benefits. This is fewer than anyone, RGG Law and the SSA included, expected and may be due to a strengthening economy. However, the number of people denied on an … Read More
Tips from Disability Lawyers: Judge Approval Rates
When a disability case or a social security disability appeal is set for a hearing, the name of the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) assigned to the case is usually identified in the Hearing Notice sent out by the Social Security Administration. As these judges are executive branch appointees, the disability lawyers who regularly deal with them may know their personalities … Read More
A Disability Attorney’s Tips on MS Disability Cases
If you have Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and wish to have a disability attorney help you pursue a disability claim with Social Security there are several things you should know. Some of these tips are sound advice for any disability case and others relate specifically to those living with MS. One of the hardest things for someone with MS is deciding … Read More