Element 7: Preparing for a Successful ALJ Hearing
Critical Elements of Effective Representation #7
Social Security Disability Benefits to be Reduced by 20% in 2016
Why does Congress want to reduce Social Security Disability Insurance benefits for millions of Americans in 2016? The answer lies in the nature of the specific benefits, and where the funding for disability benefits originate.
Critical Elements of Effective Representation #6
Element 6: The Importance of Medical Evidence
Critical Elements of Effective Representation #5
Element 5: Ensuring Maximum Past Due Benefits Are Paid to Our Clients - The Public Disability Offset
Critical Elements of Effective Representation #4
Element 4: Establish and Maintain Credibility Of Our Clients and the Attorney
Critical Elements of Effective Representation #3
Element 3: Strong Advocacy Before and During the Hearing: Claimant and Expert Testimony
Critical Elements of Effective Representation #2
Element 2: Preparation for the Hearing: Submitting and Evaluating Medical Evidence
Critical Elements of Effective Representation #1
Element 1 : Communication Between Client and Attorney
Mental Impairments and Social Security Disability
A severe mental disorder can affect an individual's ability to work in many ways. However, having a definitive diagnosis of a mental disorder is not automatically grounds for receiving Social Security Disability benefits. As with all claims for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA), the burden of proving disability is on the applicant, and proof requires strong objective and/or clinical medical evidence.
Proving Disability: The 5 Step Sequential Evaluation Process
As you may have heard or read in the news lately, getting Social Security Disability benefits can be a long and arduous process - and the burden of proof is on the applicant. To evaluate and make a determination of disability, the Social Security Administration uses a "5 Step Sequential Evaluation Process". Although the 5 step process may look simple at first glance, there can be enormous complexity at each step of the evaluation.
