Mystery Solved

Thursday, June 10th, 2021

Sometimes it is unclear why Social Security approves a claimant. We represent a 32 year old educator from Brooklyn with bipolar disorder, whose supplemental security Income (”SSI”) application was just approved. We submitted very strong medical opinions along with their treatment records, but that does not usually result in an approval prior to a hearing with an administrative law judge.

We received a notice of award (“NOA”) for the claimant. However, a NOA explains the benefits to which a claimant is entitled, but does not explain the basis for the decision. Because Social Security conducts continuing disability reviews (“CDR”), it would help a claimant prepare for that eventuality if the NOA was accompanied with some sort of rationale for the approval. As the client’s attorney, I was able to access his electronic file and review the State agency’s notes. This enabled us to ascertain that the claimant was approved because he met the listing for bipolar disorder, which will prove invaluable when his CDR comes up.

Is the claimant had not retained us, or another disability attorney, he would never have known the basis for his approval. This is why it is so important to hire a disability attorney if you are thinking of applying for disability. We have offices conveniently located on Long Island, in both Nassau and Suffolk counties. Please call our office for a free phone consultation.

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