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Client Communication

When attorneys meet clients for social security disability cases, they usually have a lot of questions.  First question usually is, how long does the social security disability process take?

It is important for the social security disability attorney to explain each stage separately and that on average, a client will likely end up at hearing before being approved, if they are ever approved.  This will take over two years.

It is important that clients are aware this is normal and having low income or significant pain or difficulties will not speed their case up.  Getting an attorney in general does not speed the process up, but the proper attorney will make sure appeal deadlines are not missed, that all the medical records are ordered and received, and that the claimant is prepared when the hearing time comes.  This is primarily why it is prudent to hire an attorney.  Clients need to have realistic expectations of this long process.

Another frequently asked question is can I work?  Although attorney can quickly explain SGA limits, which is currently $1,130 before taxes, it is important to go beyond that, and discuss that this is an inquiry to be made with their doctor. Discuss working restrictions from a physical and mental aspect with their doctor beyond just the allowable dollar amount from social security is prudent.  Attorneys know that this is a long process and people need to get by, but these questions need to be discussed with counsel and a doctor to make the most informed decisions.

Client communication is an ethical obligation and an important aspect of effective representation in a social security disability case.  For example, an attorney cannot be effective if the claimant does not give the attorney all of their medical sources and symptoms of their conditions, and a client cannot be helpful if they are not made aware of how the process works and what the social security looks at.  Communication is key to obtaining benefits.

 

By Joshua Tripp

Remote DLI – Seek Social Security Before It’s Too Late.

From:  Joshua Tripp

 

In some cases, where a claimant has not worked recently and there is too many household assets or too much income to be eligible for SSI, the claimants are left struggling to prove disability for many years prior to the current date. This can be very difficult to do and there must be more than just the claimant’s testimony to win the case.

For an example, I recently had a social security claimant who had to go back about ten years to prove disability.  For approval here, it must be shown that the claimant had a disability prior to their date last insured and that their disability has continued.  This requires consistent medical evidence of severe impairment.  Additionally, to bolster the claimant’s medical record of ten years ago, I had the claimant’s current doctor, who was currently supportive of disability, write a narrative of the claimant’s impairments based on the current time frame, along with a review of the prior medical records.  This was helpful to assess that the conditions were as severe ten years as they are today.  He opined that the claimant was unable to work ten years ago and the condition has not improved.  Although this is important, his opinion needs to be supported by the medical record as a whole.  The medical evidence is particularly important for a case with a remote date last insured because it is hard to say the claimant can testify about conditions as accurately ten years ago as they could today.

It is always best to not wait to apply for social security disability.  Waiting can put you in the predicament of having to prove disability many years prior to the application, which is not an easy task.  Contact a social security attorney before it is too late.

Written by Hoglund Law

The attorneys of Hoglund law are licensed in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Ohio. Hoglund, Chwialkowski & Mrozik, PLLC is based in Roseville, Minnesota. In addition to handling cases involving bankruptcy & social security, Hoglund, Chwialkowski & Mrozik, PLLC handles faulty drugs and toxic exposure.

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The Importance of Treating Source Statements

Most Social Security Disability cases turn on whether there are jobs available in the national economy that could be performed by the claimant, given his or her medical conditions. This requires a determination of the claimant’s Residual Functional Capacity (RFC). Social Security defines RFC as “the most you can do despite your limitations.”[1]

In making this determination, someone has to translate medical conditions and associated symptoms to functional limitations. Clearly, the most appropriate person for this task is a doctor. At the Initial Application and Reconsideration levels a state employed doctor (Medical Consultant) makes this determination based on your medical records. Social Security might also send you to Consultative Exam (CE), where a specialist might provide insight into a particular part of your RFC, for example: If you allege both physical and mental impairments, but treat for your mental impairments with your primary doctor only, Social Security would likely send you to a CE with a psychologist.

[1] CFR § 416.945(a)(1).

Written by Hoglund Law

The attorneys of Hoglund law are licensed in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Ohio. Hoglund, Chwialkowski & Mrozik, PLLC is based in Roseville, Minnesota. In addition to handling cases involving bankruptcy & social security, Hoglund, Chwialkowski & Mrozik, PLLC handles faulty drugs and toxic exposure.

View all author posts →