Tag Archives: Hearings

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 →

Posted in 3 Hearings, Epilepsy, Seizure Disorders | Tagged , , | View Comments

Don’t go to your Social Security disability hearing with out-of-date medical records!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

Posted in 3 Hearings, Building a Case | Tagged , , | View Comments

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 →

Posted in 3 Hearings | Tagged , , , , | View Comments

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 →

Posted in 3 Hearings | Tagged , , , | View Comments

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 →

Posted in 3 Hearings, Building a Case | Tagged , , | View Comments

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 →

Posted in 3 Hearings, Building a Case | Tagged , , , | View Comments

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 →

Posted in 3 Hearings, Building a Case, SSA News | Tagged , , , , | View Comments

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 →

Posted in 3 Hearings, SSA News | Tagged , , , | View Comments

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 →

Posted in 3 Hearings, SSA News, Useful Sites | Tagged , | View Comments

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 →

Posted in 3 Hearings | Tagged , | View Comments

If I have a lawyer, why am I doing all the talking?

Posted on November 19, 2008 by Tomasz Stasiuk

The one thing people are most surprised about when they go to a hearing is that the lawyer does not do all of the talking. In fact, it is the claimant (aka “you”) who has to answer the Judge’s questions.  I … Continue reading →

Posted in 3 Hearings, Working with Lawyers/Attorneys | Tagged , , | View Comments

Social Security hearings in jail or prison

Posted on October 21, 2008 by Tomasz Stasiuk

The second part of Gordon Gates’ article on whether you can receive Social Security disability benefits while incarcerated, talks about hearings in prison.   The problem – incarcerated claimants often do not get treatment from physicians who are very interested in filling … Continue reading →

Posted in 3 Hearings, Basics | Tagged , | View Comments

Where do vocational experts get their information?

Posted on October 11, 2008 by Tomasz Stasiuk

I was recently asked where Vocational Experts get their information from? There a number of sources Vocational Experts use: The Dictionary of Occupational Titles Selected Characteristics of Occupations Job surveys performed by the Vocational Expert Services Vocational Experts sign up … Continue reading →

Posted in 3 Hearings | Tagged , | View Comments

Vocational Expert Voodoo

Posted on October 10, 2008 by Tomasz Stasiuk

I was recently asked the following: I had my hearing today. The judge had a vocational rep come in to testify. He said I had two job options. … I live in a small town that probably does not offer the … Continue reading →

Posted in 3 Hearings | Tagged , , | View Comments

What does the “vocational expert” do at a Social Security hearing?

Posted on September 22, 2008 by Tomasz Stasiuk

Under Social Security regulations, it is not enough to have a disability (a diagnosed medical condition). Your condition has to be severe enough to be prevent you from being able to engage in a “substantial gainful activity;” typically full time, … Continue reading →

Posted in 3 Hearings | Tagged , , | View Comments