Kudos to CALJ Wexler

Monday, March 23rd, 2020

April Wexler is the chief administrative law judge (“CALJ”) of the Long Island Social Security hearing office. CALJ Wexler efforts to help address the needs of a claimant during the Coronavirus crisis are worthy of mention.

I represent a 62 year old claimant who lost one kidney to cancer and the remaining one is severely compromised, which makes him highly susceptible to infections. Even before the Coronavirus, I had arranged for the claimant to testify by telephone from his home.

Because he can no longer work, the claimant had no income, and had used up all of his savings. As a result, the claimant has been trying to stave off foreclosure proceedings.

Last week, the ALJ scheduled to hear the claimant’s case had to cancel the hearing due to the Coronavirus. CALJ Wexler called to notify me that no other ALJ was available to conduct the hearing. I understood the logistical issues. However, I suggested to CALJ Wexler that it would be worthwhile for her to review the file for an OTR as I explained that there were three very strong grounds to approve the disability application.

There must be a substantial amount of chaos at the hearing office due to the Coronavirus. Nonetheless, CALJ Wexler not only took the time to review the claimant’s lengthy file, but also called me today to advise me that she was granting the OTR. We thank CALJ Wexler for her exemplary efforts during this crisis.

Our client is overjoyed with his fully favorable decision. He knows that if he had not hired a disability attorney with decades of experience, then he would not have achieved the same results. Instead, the claimant would be waiting weeks, most likely months, for a new hearing to be scheduled, and with no guarantee of being approved.

Please feel free to call or email my office at (888) 572-0861. Even though both of our Long Island offices are closed, we are working remotely, and are checking our messages frequently. Please be safe and smart during this pandemic.

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