State Agency Notices

Tuesday, November 16th, 2021

Some things never seem to change. In 2018, I wrote about a persistent problem that claimants face when applying for Social Security Disability benefits. In 2019, I wrote how the State agency sends claimants a letter stating that “it is necessary” to be examined by a doctor from IMA Disability Services (“IMA”). However, these consultative examinations are rarely “necessary.”

According to Merriam Webster, “necessary” means required. However, under the regulations, the State agency rarely meets the criteria for a claimant to submit to a consultative examination by IMA. For years I have been asking for an investigation into the IMA boondoggle, but that request has fallen on deaf ears.

We represent a 56 year old from Great Neck with orthopedic problems and prostate cancer, who had worked as a security supervisor. He received six (6) letters from the State agency insisting that

“IT WILL BE NECESSARY FOR YOU TO BE EXAMINED BY THE SPECIALIST NAMED BELOW,” which was IMA. The claimant was approved today without having needed to attend a hearing, and without having been examined by IMA. These misleading State Agency letters should stop.

If our client had not retained us, he would presumably have attended those examinations, and wouldn’t have known that he wasn’t required to go to them, and the outcome could have been very different. You should plan on retaining a disability attorney if you are thinking about applying for SSD. Your attorney has your best interests at heart; Social Security does not. Please call one of our Long Offices for a free phone consultation. We have offices located in both Nassau and Suffolk counties.

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