The dismal performance of the Social Security Administration in processing and paying Social Security Disability and SSI claims continues to generate interest in the national media. Lisa Rein, a reporter for the Washington Post, has done a great series of articles about the SSA and has shed light on a system in chaos. She writes […]

Social Security Hearings – Still on the Phone!  We are continuing to have Social Security Disability and SSI hearings on the speakerphone. Terrell and Vicki Dempsey attended the National Organization of Social Security Claimant Representatives conference in Austin, Texas in May. Dr. Kilolo Kijakazi, the Acting Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, told the conference […]

Good News on the Appellate Front – A significant change has occurred with a new administration. We are seeing a significant number of the U.S. Attorneys agreeing to remand cases we appeal to the U.S. Federal District Court! 

The Social Security Administration is continuing to conduct our Social Security Disability and SSI hearings by phone. The administration has been offering to have online hearings through Microsoft Teams, however, the vast majority of our clients do not have sufficient access to computers or high-speed internet to use this option… 

We are proud to announce that Courtney Hilts, Esquire is now a partner as you can see from the name at the top of this letter. Mrs. Hilts, formally Shelley, grew up in rural Colchester, Illinois. She is a 2007 graduate of West Prairie High School. She graduated from the University of Illinois, Springfield in May […]

Covid! Covid! Covid! Just like everyone else in the United States, the Social Security Administration and our office is struggling to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic. The Social Security Administration sent everyone home. We kept our offices open with facemask/social distancing requirements. Thankfully, none of us have been infected by the virus. Like most of our friends […]

Disability Changes in Social Security Disability: Andrew Saul became Commissioner of the Social Security Administration in June. He was appointed by Donald Trump, primarily because they attended Wharton School of Business and graduated together. He is another wealthy New Yorker Saul is well-known for opposition to the very concepts underlying the Social Security Laws. He […]

Why Your Patients with Very Serious Medical Problems are being Denied Social Security Disability and SSI Benefits: We had a call recently from a physician in the area. He had referred a man he was treating for a Social Security Disability application. The doctor’s patient was a friend of his. I believe they went to […]

We need your help to stop a rule change that will hurt the residents of West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri: The Social Security Administration is proposing a rule change that will negatively impact the people of West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri. The Administration is proposing to eliminate the right to an in-person hearing […]

St. Louis Office Now Handling West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri Cases:         After nine years of dealing with the Columbia Office of Hearings Operations (formerly known as the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review), jurisdiction for all the cases heard in Hannibal is returning to St. Louis Missouri. That means that […]