LymeNet Flash: Soc Sec is hiring more ALJs to reduced hearing backlog 2-27-08

This is topic Soc Sec is hiring more ALJs to reduced hearing backlog 2-27-08 in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :

Date: Wed Feb 27, 2008 11:01 am ((PST))

Social Security has begun making offers to 144 of the 175 new Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) it will hire this fiscal year to reduce the number of cases waiting for a disability
hearing.

http://tinyurl.com/2svw46

will take you to an article about it at
http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/

To read the press release:

*******************

about time! but if 1st line staff would get needed info if not there, MORE could be approved on 1st step vs. reconsideraton or having admin law judge hearings to get ssdi disability benefits! [Frown]

Posted by daise (Member # 13622) on :

Social Security has been terrible.

It'll help. Thanks, BettyG.

daise [Smile]

Posted by Truthfinder (Member # 8512) on :

Boy, I wish I felt comfortable that this is a good thing....

Already, there are certain states where you NEVER want to file for SS disability - Utah is one of them. The reason is that the ALJs are terrible and rarely approve anyone. SS tried to force me to go to a hearing in Utah.... fortunately, I refused to go and found out later about the terrible bias in the judges there....

More is not always better..... [Eek!]

Posted by daise (Member # 13622) on :

Truthfinder,

I GOT my bulls-eye in Utah!

But I moved to New Mexico. Glad I moved! [dizzy]

I got SSDI.

daise [Smile]

Posted by Truthfinder (Member # 8512) on :

Boy, Daise - from everything I've heard from attorneys who handle SSD cases - I think you dodged a very major bullet by moving.

And I don't think Utah is the only 'problem' state out there.... it just happens to be one that I heard about.

Posted by daise (Member # 13622) on :

Truthfinder:

Atleast the state of Utah epidemiologists admit ticks with Lyme are in their state.

In New Mexico the state epidemiologists say no to ticks with Lyme.

It's a topsy turvy world.

daise [Smile]

Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :

truthfinder,

utah isn't only state hard to get ssdi; IOWA is also; took me 5 years of hell on 2 apps to finally get approved.

my lawyer of almost 4 years quit me right after my correct diagnosis of lyme disease, so when the 2nd ALJudge hearing came up; i represented myself, and I WON!!!

i used all the methods i talk about in the 25 pages of SSDI experience that I acquired on my own, from DISINISSUES WEB SITE, Minoucat, Connie Mc, and anyone else who had valuable info to share.

that's why all of you can win 1st time, 1st step IF you utiltize all the valuable experiene in these 25 pages of mine included in my newbie package of info galore!! [Wink]

Posted by lucecaboose (Member # 13058) on :

I finally won on my second try, in Michigan. I didn't know what I was doing the first time - was much better prepared the 2nd time, plus I got a lawyer. I was taking no chances.

I had to wait exactly two years for my appeal. The judge was in Los Angeles and the hearing was done by video conferencing. He didn't read the lawyer's brief because it was faxed too late, but he saw the stack of medical records, looked at a few things and asked me to talk about my illness. I talked about the pain and frustration, and started crying when I talked about being a burden to my family. It was not an act.

Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :

..
congrats luce for winning your 2nd ssdi case!!

michigan has huge backlog and LA judge got yours; wonderful he was so accommodating. sounded liked 20-30 minute video conferencing call!

HOW MANY YEARS DOES YOURS GO BACK?

ARE YOU ELIGIBLE NOW FOR MEDICARE SINCE YOU HAD TO WAIT SO LONG?