Photo by Yuriy K. At the Law Office of Geri N. Kahn we have been helping clients get faster social security disability hearings for more than 30 years. Today we are going to share some tips with you that may help you expedite your case. It is a long wait to apply and receive disability. Generally, people who apply for SSI (Supplemental Security Income) or SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) are denied twice, first at the initial level and then again at the reconsideration stage.  By then a year has passed.  The next step to appeal is to request a hearing in front of an admini ..read more

Using a phone to complete the application It has been difficult in the past to apply for SSI because you had to call the field office or the 1-800 customer service number to start the process. It was difficult to get ahold of anyone and thus people gave up or applied later than they would have. To their credit, the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) recognized the problem and created an easy online process that helps people to begin. You start by going to the SSI benefits page and click on “Get Started.” You are then directed to another page which tells you the information you need to have ..read more

  I am currently working on a case for a client who applied for a Social Security card claiming that he was a U.S. citizen. He did not realize at the time that his misstatement would have severe immigration consequences. An individual is inadmissible (not permitted into the United States) if they make a misrepresentation of U.S. Citizenship for any purpose or benefit under the Immigration and Nationality Act or any other federal or state law. It does not matter whether the misrepresentation is made to a governmental or nongovernmental official. INA 212(a)(6)(C)(ii) Thus, a person may be f ..read more

There will be an Immigration Rally today at the federal building in San Francisco!  Several immigrants’ rights groups together with Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity will be holding a rally to urge President Biden to end Title 42 at the border.  Title 42 is an obscure provision of a public health law that the Trump administration exploited during the COVID-19 pandemic to deny families, children, and adults arriving at the southern border their right to seek asylum in the United States.  They have been denied entry and have been forced to remain in dangerous conditions in M ..read more

I do many telephonic disability hearings with my clients in the San Francisco Bay Area. While it is better to appear in person, the Social Security Administration had to do something during the pandemic to ensure that cases moved forward, so they began allowing people to appear by telephone. (They also offer video hearings. ) I have a few tips on how to prepare for your telephonic disability hearing based upon my experience that I would like to share. 1. Use the best phone that you have There will be at least three people on the phone with you at your hearing: (1) the judge; (2) the judge’s he ..read more

Last week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the designation of Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. A country may be designated for TPS when conditions in the country fall into one or more of the three statutory bases for designation: ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or extraordinary and temporary conditions. According to the DHS press release, This designation is based on both ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions in Ukraine that prevent Ukrainian nationals, and those of no nationality who last habitually ..read more

I have received many inquiries lately from people asking about legal help for their loved ones or friends who are fleeing Ukraine due to the war waged by Russia in Ukraine. (I do not think we can continue calling it an invasion. It seems like all out war to me.) I am going to place the resources I have been able to find in this blog post. POLAND My information about Poland comes from several attorneys who belong to Facebook groups: Switzerland with Ukraine – A Facebook group that is coordinating the work of volunteers in Switzerland to help Ukraine. Their assistance includes fundraising, human ..read more

If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area and you have tried to call a Social Security field office, it is likely that you have encountered one of the following scenarios: Your were on hold for a very long time and then you were disconnected either before you had a chance to speak to a representative or while you were talking to a representative; OR You were on hold for a long time, you were transferred to another voice mail menu which sounded promising and then the call just ended, no music, no nothing; OR You called the field office but somehow your call was transferred to someone who was a ..read more

It is often troublesome to apply for immigration benefits if you have had contact with any law enforcement agency. It is especially worrisome when applying or renewing DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) because up until the time of the application, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) is perhaps unaware that the applicant is in the United States. So does USCIS turn over information to Immigration Customs and Enforcement (“ICE”) or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”)? The answer is, “rarely.” In a recent report, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (“GAO ..read more

The Social Security Administration does not tell you what the best evidence is that you can submit to support your case. In fact, they ask for all of the names of your doctors but they do not always ask for all the records or obtain them. If they tell you anything at all, they will tell you to submit medical records. In this video, I describe some of the more creative types of evidence that you can submit to help your case. These records include school records, prison records, letters from co-workers and supervisors. The post The best evidence to support your Social Security Disability Claim ..read more