May 26, 2009
- 6 Rules to Prepare for Your Disability Hearing
Show Notes:
1. (…)
April 2, 2009
October 15, 2008
- Episode 27 - Why Does Social Security Have a Problem with Part Time Work?
I have previously related my opinion that part time work can hurt your chances at getting approved for disability benefits. A couple of recent cases confirms my reservations. In one case, I represented a woman with a long standing diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Her medical record was extremely comprehensive, and included reports from numerous doctors attesting to the myofascial pain and debilitating fatigue that is typical of this chronic pain condition. I had functional capacity forms from 2 of her treating doctors that strongly supported my contention that she did not have the capacity for competitive work at any level. In my opinion, this claimant was as deserving as any fibromyalgia patient that I have ever represented, yet the judge denied the claim because my client had published a web site about her ordeal, and used the web site to as a forum to support her fellow fibromyalgia patients. (…)
September 15, 2008
- Episode 25 - Part Two of Jonathan's Interview With Attorney Tomasz Stasiuk
This is the second half of my interview with Colorado Springs, Colorado Social Security disability attorney Tomasz Stasiuk. Today, Tomasz and I are focusing on the mistakes that we sometimes see and suggestions about how to best prepare for your disability hearing.
September 1, 2008
- Episode 24 - Interview With Attorney Tomasz Stasiuk
This is part one of my interview with Colorado Springs, Colorado attorney Tomasz Stasiuk. Like me, Tomasz publishes a Social Security disability blog along with his firm website, and Tomas encourages dialog with readers of his Internet publication. Social Security disability is different from other areas of law in that claimant's lawyers like Tomasz or myself cannot observe our colleagues when they try cases. This is done to protect the privacy of the claimants but I think it makes it more difficult for disability lawyers to improve our craft. Conversations like this one - between colleagues facing similar issues can help bridge this gap. I hope you enjoy part one of my conversation with Tomasz Stasiuk.
April 5, 2008
- Episode 22: Can Social Security Force Me to Take a Less Demanding Job?
Here is a question I received from a woman named Phyllis who sent me the following email:
IF YOU HAVE WORKED AS A PROFESSIONAL NURSE FOR PAST 25 YEARS AND CAN NO LONGER DO THE JOB AS A NURSE DUE TO DISABILITY, CAN SOCIAL SECURITY REQUIRE YOU TO WORK AS A NON-PROFESSIONAL WITH ALOT LESS PAY DOING SOMETHING TOTALLY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT YOUR WERE TRAINED TO DO ? (…)
December 13, 2007
- Episode 20 - Refusal to Agree to Recommended Medical Treatment
A gentleman named Mike writes in with a question about recommended medical treatment. Mike has been diagnosed with severe depression and he reports that the psychotropic medications prescribed to him have not worked well. His treating psychiatrist is now recommending electroconvulsive shock treatment (ECT), but Mike does not want to undergo this treatment because of possible side effects and risks. (…)
November 29, 2007
- Episode 19 - The Importance of Past Work, and Hearing Records on CD
Episode Notes: Link to grid rules
I have always believed that work history helps establish credibility. Yesterday our judge said as much and approved a case with consistent, but not overwhelming medical records.
September 18, 2007
- Episode 18 - How Can I Best Prepare for My Social Security Disability Hearing
What happens at your Social Security Disability hearing? (…)
July 11, 2007
- Episode 17 - The Role of the Vocational Witness
In this episode, I discuss the role of the vocational witness. In many hearing offices, Social Security judges regularly call vocational witnesses to testify in hearings. You need to understand who these witnesses are, why they are testifying at your hearing and their purpose for testifying. (…)
April 4, 2007
- Episode 16 - What To Expect at a Consultative Evaluation by at Psychologist
If you allege depression, anxiety or any other mental health problem, there is a good chance that your Social Security claims rep will send you out for a consultative evaluation by a psychologist on a panel maintained by your local Social Security office. In this episode, I explain what to expect and I discuss why this type of consultative evaluation can be so important to your case.
March 10, 2007
- Episode 15 - Speeding Up the Process, and Part Time Work
Show Notes:
1) MY HUSBAND HAS SIGNED UP FOR SSI DISABILITY 7 MONTHS AGO. (…)
February 25, 2007
- Episode 14 - Good and Bad Hearing Experiences
Show Notes:
1) dear Jonathan, i was finally able to go before the ALJ yesterday, my lawyer was 25 mins late and had no clue about the case ,we did not get together to discuss my case anytime before hand, needless to say i was trying to get across that i was having problems concentrating, what is this lawyers problem?, i was advised of nothing..i am late deafend hearing loss, have balance problems ,dizziness, and lack of concentration, i was ranting and raving like a fool, in there, trying to explain this concetration problem. (…)
December 4, 2006
- Episode 13 - Onset dates, part time work and SSI Offsets
Show Notes:
1) I have a lawyer and I'm waiting for my ALJ hearing ( 1 1/2 to 2 years, I was told at the SS office) Due to financial issues, I was unable to continue treatment with the doctor that first diagnosed me with lupus, firbomyalgia and MCTD, and I now go to a charity clinic. (…)
August 31, 2006
- Episode 10
In this episode I discuss the term "residual functional capacity" and explain why your "RFC" is such an important part of your claim for Social Security disability benefits. (…)
July 30, 2006
- Episode 9
In a departure from my practice of answering blog visitor questions, in this episode I am presenting an interview I recently conducted with attorney John Hogan, who represents Social Security disability lawyers in the 11th Circuit on the board of NOSSCR (National Organization of Social Security Claimant's Representatives). (…)
July 19, 2006
- Episode 8
In this installment, I answer three questions from listeners and I discuss Social Security's new Social Security Disability Regulations that go into effect on August 1, 2006. (…)
June 4, 2006
- Episode 7
In this installment, I answer two questions from listeners: 1) Ron writes to say that he has received a notice from Social Security demanding that he repay $70,000. (…)
April 30, 2006
- Episode 5
My husband was injured in a job related accident 2002. He went though surgury a fusion on his neck. We get workman comp. right now. He has alway tried to work where now he's had to quit. (…)
March 22, 2006
- Episode 2
Show notes for episode 2: 1. I have applied several times over the past few years but keep getting turned down. What can I do? 2. How do I report fraud in the SS disability program? (…)
Jonathan Ginsberg
