Category Archives: Milestones

Milestones in a Social Security case

How long does it take to get a decision in a Social Security disability case?

Posted on March 23, 2009 by Tomasz Stasiuk

How long after you complete your application for Social Security disability benefits (or Supplemental Security Income – SSI benefits), does it take to get a decision? In Colorado where I practice, it usually takes between four and six months after … Continue reading →

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How to postpone a Social Security hearing?

Posted on March 11, 2009 by Tomasz Stasiuk

Even though it often takes a year or even two years to get your Social Security hearing, you may find that you are not ready when the big day finally comes. Is there any way to continue, postpone, or delay … Continue reading →

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How long after my case is assigned to a Judge does it take to get a hearing?

Posted on March 4, 2009 by Tomasz Stasiuk

If you are keeping in touch with the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) which is preparing your case for hearing, you may be told that your case has finally been assigned to an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).   … Continue reading →

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Save yourself a trip to Social Security – Use SSA Online!

Posted on March 2, 2009 by Tomasz Stasiuk

Before you put yourself through the drudgery of going down to your local Social Security office, check the Social Security website to see if you can take care of your problem without going in.   There are a lot of things you … Continue reading →

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Tips when going to the Social Security Administration office

Posted on March 2, 2009 by Tomasz Stasiuk

I hear a lot of horror stories about going to the Social Security office. If you need to go to the Social Security office to get a replacement card, change your name, or try to straighten something out with SSA, here … Continue reading →

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Does your story hold up, or is it full of holes?

Posted on February 19, 2009 by Tomasz Stasiuk

Part of what any good attorney does is listen carefully. I am always on the look out for inconsistencies. Some problems are obvious, others may seem minor. But, they always run the risk of derailing a case. The individual with epilepsy, … Continue reading →

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Making your Social Security claim stand out!

Posted on February 17, 2009 by Tomasz Stasiuk

Gordon Gates writes about how he tries to make each case different and memorable when preparing to go to hearing. I am always concerned that a particular claim will not get the attention it deserves at the hearing level, due … Continue reading →

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Things to watch out for if your case is moved to a new hearing office

Posted on February 10, 2009 by Tomasz Stasiuk

I previously wrote about how Social Security may move a case from one hearing office (Office of Disability Adjudication and Review – ODAR) to another to try to ease case congestion and speed up processing. Usually, there is nothing to worry … Continue reading →

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Why can’t I find a lawyer to appeal a hearing denial?

Posted on January 14, 2009 by Tomasz Stasiuk

Did you represent yourself at your Social Security disability hearing? If you were denied, you may find it is difficult to find a lawyer to represent you if you  Sadly, this is a common problem.  It is much harder to … Continue reading →

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Gordon Gates on “the 11 Percent ALJ”

Posted on January 7, 2009 by Tomasz Stasiuk

Social Security attorney Gordon Gates wrote about a Social Security Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) who only approves 11 percent of cases. In trying to find some insight in to how this ALJ could only approve 11% of cases when most … Continue reading →

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How long does it take to get an Appeals Council decision?

Posted on January 5, 2009 by Tomasz Stasiuk

If you have been denied at your Social Security hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), you may end up having to file an appeal to the Social Security Appeals Council.   In my experience handling Social Security … Continue reading →

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Long Social Security hearing delays? “Blame the judges!”

Posted on January 2, 2009 by Tomasz Stasiuk

The long wait times in Social Security cases are prompting a backlash against Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) in Social Security cases.   Across the country, it takes an average of 480 days to get a judge’s ruling on a Social … Continue reading →

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Social Security Judge’s approval or denial numbers published by Oregonian

Posted on December 31, 2008 by Tomasz Stasiuk

Would you like to know what percentage of cases the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) assigned to your Social Security disability, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) case, approves and denies? In response to a Freedom of Information Act request by The Oregonian, the … Continue reading →

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If you were in jail or prison and are applying for Social Security disability benefits, get your entry & release dates!

Posted on December 22, 2008 by Tomasz Stasiuk

We have previously discussed that an individual is not eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits while incarcerated.  This issue frequently comes up when an individual already on Social Security is incarcerated. However, it is important to remember that the prohibition … Continue reading →

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Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool checks if you can get Social Security

Posted on November 26, 2008 by Tomasz Stasiuk

If you wonder if you are eligible for Social Security benefits, Social Security has an interactive website to help you answer this question. Visit Social Security’s BEST (Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool).  BEST checks if you are eligible for the following benefits: Medicare Social … Continue reading →

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