Category Archives: Milestones

Milestones in a Social Security case

Appeals Council form letter denial

Posted on July 19, 2010 by Tomasz Stasiuk

I was talking to a woman who was upset with her attorney. Her Social Security case had been denied at the hearing level. The Administrative Law Judge did not think she was disabled. With her attorney’s help, she appealed to … Continue reading →

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Can I win my disability case at the Social Security Appeals Council?

Posted on July 12, 2010 by Tomasz Stasiuk

You have been denied disability benefits by an Administrative Law Judge at your Social Security hearing. You filed an appeal with the Social Security Appeals Council. If they approve the appeal, you can get your disability benefits? Right? Probably not. The … Continue reading →

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Is a long wait after the Social Security hearing a bad sign?

Posted on March 31, 2010 by Tomasz Stasiuk

While many Social Security disability hearings in Colorado have decisions issued in 45 to 90 days, some cases wait for four, five, even six months without a decision. I was recently asked if a long wait after a hearing is … Continue reading →

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SPEEDING UP Social Security disability benefit processing after a win

Posted on March 24, 2010 by Tomasz Stasiuk

Congratulations! You have won your Social Security disability case and have been approved for SSI! You have read my article about when you should get paid. But, weeks have gone by and you still have not heard anything from your local Social … Continue reading →

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How long do I have to appeal my Social Security disability denial?

Posted on March 17, 2010 by Tomasz Stasiuk

If your Social Security disability case has been denied. You need to know how long you have to file your appeal. You only have so much time before your deadline. If you miss that window of opportunity, you may be … Continue reading →

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Super fast Social Security disability benefits

Posted on February 26, 2010 by Tomasz Stasiuk

One of my readers asked: I had my hearing 2 weeks ago in Denver. The judge made an immediate favorable decision. My lawyer told me that most people get their benefits before they even receive the decision. I’m waiting patiently. … Continue reading →

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Social Security told me not to bother appealing my disability case

Posted on October 13, 2009 by Tomasz Stasiuk

It always shocks me when I hear that Social Security has discouraged someone from filing an appeal. However, several times a year someone tells me something like this: When I asked for the forms to appeal I was told, ‘if … Continue reading →

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You can’t get Social Security disabilty benefits if you do not apply

Posted on September 9, 2009 by Tomasz Stasiuk

To quote an old lottery slogan, “you can’t win, if you don’t play.” It may seem obvious, but you cannot receive Social Security disability benefits if you do not apply. If fact, many Social Security regulations about Social Security eligibility start … Continue reading →

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Reviewing your Social Security exhibit file – Part 1: Medical Records

Posted on August 31, 2009 by Tomasz Stasiuk

How do you begin to review your Social Security exhibit file? Here is a quick guide to finding the really important parts. Start with the “F” section to review the medical records. If you do not review anything else in … Continue reading →

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What is in a Social Security file?

Posted on August 26, 2009 by Tomasz Stasiuk

Just before your Social Security hearing, you will be given a cd and pointed at a computer. If you ask, someone may help you load up the disk and get you to a screen that looks like this: Ok, now … Continue reading →

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The Social Security disability hearing decision says my case will be reviewed in 12 months

Posted on August 17, 2009 by Tomasz Stasiuk

In some disability decisions, the judge ask Social Security to review the case, sometimes as short as six months, sometimes the judge asks for a review in a couple of years. I thought you said that most Social Security disability … Continue reading →

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Questions the Judge may ask in epilepsy or seizure case

Posted on June 1, 2009 by Tomasz Stasiuk

Disability cases based on seizure disorders are a very special kind of disability case. If your case goes in front of an Administrative Law Judge, you can expect to be asked these questions: How often do you have seizures? What … Continue reading →

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15 pages decides your fate?

Posted on May 4, 2009 by Tomasz Stasiuk

San Francisco disability attorney Geri Kahn wrote about her experiences with providing records to Social Security: Before filing a new initial claim I always order the records and then submit them directly to the Social Security field office immediately after … Continue reading →

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Don’t go to your Social Security disability hearing with out-of-date medical records!

Posted on May 1, 2009 by Tomasz Stasiuk

It surprises my clients to learn that, most of the time, Social Security does not update medical records after the initial denial. With wait times of a year or more, this can mean that by the time your case gets … Continue reading →

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How long after a consultative examination does it take to get a decision?

Posted on March 30, 2009 by Tomasz Stasiuk

I was recently asked how long after Social Security sends you to a doctor for a consultative examination will it take to get a decision. I previously wrote about how long it takes to receive an initial decision after you apply for … Continue reading →

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