Blog

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities issued a study last year of the receipt of SS disability & SSI benefits by state. While 6% of the population receive one of the 2, nationwide, there is a wide variance by state. Over 11% receive benefits in Kentucky & West Virginia and over 9% in Arkansas,… Read More

The number of medical conditions qualifying for automatic payment of disability or SSI benefits has now been increased to 200. The conditions, generally certain cancers, neurological and immune system disorders are considered to be so severe (generally fatal) that complete development is not warranted. According to SSA “By definition, these conditions are so severe that… Read More

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) conducted an overview of the SSI program late last year. The CBO study found that while SSI approval rates had increased in recent years, that trend was likely to be reversed in the coming years as more women in the work force has translated to more women with sufficient earnings… Read More

A study conducted by the Social Security Advisory Board (SSAB) last year found that for Social Security Disability claims the increase in benefit allowance rates was minimal when an attorney assisted in the initial application. However, the rate was significantly greater for SSI claims. The SSAB also found that the waiting time for an initial… Read More

Just a few years ago the processing times for hearing a Social Security Disability or SSI appeal in the Michigan ODARs were among the longest in the nation. The addition of the Mt. Pleasant, Livonia & Toledo, Ohio ODARs, in addition to hiring more ALJs, have shortened the processing times greatly. While Grand Rapids remains… Read More

Outgoing Social Security Commissioner, Kenneth Astrue, has been replaced, for the time being, by Deputy Commissioner, Carolyn W. Colvin. Ms. Colvin was appointed on 2-14-13 and will remain Acting Commissioner until a permanent replacement is named. Ms. Colvin was appointed Deputy Commissioner on 12-22-10. She is also a member of the Social Security Board of… Read More

Attorney Crawforth & his wife traveled to Coral Gables, FL the weekend of March 15-17, 2013 where he was inducted as a Fellow into the national College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers. This honor is bestowed on only those attorneys who have met the highest standards in ethics and efficacy. 20 years of practice in the… Read More

For years I have dealt with clients who have applied for Social Security benefits simultaneously with applying for unemployment benefits. In Michigan you must certify every 2 weeks that you are ready, willing and able to work. And most people are seeking Social Security disability benefits must be unable to work. Obviously there is an… Read More

In 1999 I moved from Detroit to Ann Arbor. A year later I had to move my office when the landlord didn’t renew my lease in the City-Center Bldg. on Huron. That led to a 5 year sub-lease arrangement on Liberty with legendary feminist attorney, Jean Ledwith King. In 2005 the new landlord did not… Read More

Naturally, just as the print copy of my Spring 2013 newsletter, Social Security & You, went to press it was announced that the SSA policy of not disclosing the identity of the Administrative Law Judge until the Claimant appeared at the ODAR will be reversed beginning April 20. Freedom of Information requests were successful in… Read More