Tag Archives: step five

STEP FIVE: THE BURDEN OF PROOF SHIFTS TO THE SSA

SSA’S SEQUENTIAL EVALUATION IS A FIVE STEP PROCESS The SSA uses a five step review process to see if you qualify for SSDI and SSI benefits. Each step involves a question. The answer to the question helps the SSA know what to do with your claim. Depending on the answer, the SSA can deny… Read More »

PAST RELEVANT WORK: SSA’S NEW 5 YEAR RULE

For years, SSA’s definition of “past relevant work” has included all the jobs you have done in the last 15 years. But this week, the SSA made a significant change to their rules. On June 22, 2024, the SSA announced that now past relevant work is work done in the last 5 years, instead of the past 15 years. This is a welcome change that benefits the SSA and those who file for SSDI and SSI benefits.

MENTAL IMPAIRMENTS THE JUDGE MUST CONSIDER

HOW DOES THE JUDGE RATE MENTAL CONDITIONS AT SOCIAL SECURITY HEARINGS? Mental Impairments are crucial to whether you can be paid benefits. At Social Security hearings, the ALJ must weigh the medical evidence. By “weigh” the evidence, he or she must determine which evidence to give the most credence too. For example, most SSA… Read More »

THE ALJ HEARING DECISION

THE ALJ HEARING DECISION EXPLAINED The ALJ hearing decision is important to understand because it will tell you if you won benefits. If not, then it will tell you why you didn’t win. Finally, if you lost, it also tells you what to do next. Most people who apply for SSDI and SSI benefits… Read More »

SSA ELIMINATES INABILITY TO SPEAK ENGLISH FROM RULES

The Trump administration is considering a new rule that bars a claimant’s inability to speak English as a factor in the disability review process. This is one of several cuts to the disability program that President Trump is pursuing as part of his assault on disability benefits. Or, what Trump considers to be the… Read More »