Social Security Act: Benefits Disputes, Appeals, and Compliance

Our firm provides comprehensive legal representation for individuals navigating the complexities of the Social Security Act. We clarify the scope of federal benefit disputes and handle cases across all major Social Security programs.

• SSI and SSDI Disputes:

We represent clients in both Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claims, focusing on the distinct financial and work-credit requirements of each.

• Retirement and Survivor Benefits:

We resolve conflicts regarding the improper calculation of retirement payouts and the denial of survivor benefits to spouses and children.

• Federal Administrative Litigation:

Our practice is dedicated to handling disputes based on ssa law, ranging from initial local office disagreements to high-level federal court appeals.

The implementation of the Social Security Act is often marred by clerical errors and interpretive mistakes.

If you have received an unfavorable notice, you are likely facing one of these critical issues:

• Initial Application Denials: Rejection of benefits despite documented need or disability.
• Medical and Disability Determination Errors: Incorrect assessments by the SSA regarding your "Residual Functional Capacity" (RFC) or failure to recognize a "Listed Impairment."
• Income and Asset Calculation Disputes: Mismanagement of "countable resources" or income exclusions that lead to a sudden loss of eligibility.
• Overpayment and Recovery Claims: Notices claiming you were paid too much and demanding the immediate return of thousands of dollars in past benefits.

The path to overturning a denial is a multi-stage process that becomes increasingly difficult without professional advocacy. Each stage has a strict 60-day deadline.

Reconsideration: A full review of your file by an SSA representative who was not involved in the initial decision.

• Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Hearing:

A formal hearing where we present evidence and cross-examine vocational or medical experts. This is the first time an independent judge reviews your case.

• Appeals Council Review:

An evaluation of the ALJ’s decision to identify legal or procedural errors.

• Federal Judicial Review:

Filing a civil action in U.S. District Court. This level of review ensures the SSA followed federal law and that its decision was supported by "substantial evidence."

While the SSA allows individuals to represent themselves, certain triggers make professional legal intervention essential to prevent a permanent loss of rights:

• Following a Repeated Denial: If your claim has been denied twice, the technical requirements for the ALJ hearing stage are too complex for most laypeople to navigate.
• Complex Medical Evidence Requirements: When your disability involves "invisible" or multiple conditions that require a strategic medical paper trail.
• High-Stakes Overpayment Actions: When the financial impact of a recovery demand threatens your household stability and requires a federal waiver.
• Approaching Procedural Deadlines: When you are nearing the 60-day limit and need to preserve your right to appeal through an immediate filing.

Our role is to serve as a barrier between you and the federal bureaucracy, ensuring that ssa law is applied fairly to your case. We provide the strategic oversight necessary to secure long-term stability.

• Strategic Evidence Construction: We do not just collect records; we work with medical experts to create a "theory of the case" that matches the SSA’s specific legal criteria.
• Challenging Procedural and Legal Errors: We identify where the agency failed to follow its own rules, using those violations to overturn denials.
• Direct Representation with Federal Agencies: We handle all communication with the SSA, from local field offices to federal prosecutors in the District Court.
• Securing Long-Term Benefit Stability: We assist with continuing disability reviews (CDRs) and income reporting to ensure that once your social security benefits are secured, they remain protected.