Binder and Binder
 

Anyone use this firm, what was your experience? Personally, I think they may be the worst I've ever seen, how many firms never call you back, and wait until a day before the hearing to read your file, and meet with you one hour before the hearing? Share your experience please.

It is my understanding that this is the way it is handled by most disability law firms.

Unless you have a private attorney in practice for and by himself that specializes in disability claims, your statement is exactly how claims are handled by the large disability firms.

This is NOT just a Binder and Binder practice. This is how it is done by many if not most disability law firms.

There is an intake interview, usually by phone, and the claimant never sees the attorney until he shows up at the ALJ hearing. There is little communication in the interim.

It is nothing like hiring a private attorney to represent you in another type of action like a civil case of some matter.

It is very disappointing to learn this fact AFTER your expectations are not met. It is not Binder and Binder, it is that your expectations were not the same as the way disability claims are handled by firms that specialize in them.

Sorry to tell you that Binder and Binder are no different than other firms but that is just how it is done from what I have learned.

This really shouldn't be a surprise, you've been with B&B a long time. They've always treated you this way. You had an opportunity to find a new attorney or non-attorney representative when you started your 2nd application.

Have you put your questions in writing? Have you requested an appointment with your attorney? Have you made any demands in writing and via certified mail to establish a paper trail?

You might still have time to find new representation before your hearing, if that's what you want.

You might also want to see if there is a local Advocacy Group for those with mental health issues. If you need help searching, you can send me a pm with your location.

Didn't know
 

You can actually find new representation before a hearing?

How serious are you about wanting new representation?

A new attorney or non attorney rep can always reschedule the hearing if they need more time.

If you parted ways with your attorney prior to your hearing, and showed up by yourself, the ALJ would give you the option to reschedule to find a new attorney or non attorney rep.

If your current Alleged Onset Date is within six months of your 55th birthday, you have a high probability of being approved via the Grid Rules, IMO. Have you figured out if this applies yet?

Onset
 

My new AOD is 3 months before my 54th birthday, the thing that worries me about Grid Rules, do I have enough going on physically to use them.

The physical impairments you list are generally considered to be manageable and would have to be incredibly severe to be accepted to prove a SSDI claim, but it's possible that your physical and mental claims in combination are enough for SS to use the Grid Rules. An attorney should be able to go through your file and determine if the Grid Rules are being used in your case.

So, if your attorney won't answer your questions, it wouldn't hurt to consult with another attorney or even a non attorney rep. If you do, you should bring a copy of your electronic file for him/her to review--I can't remember if you have it or not?

Do your physical impairments have any effect on your Activities of Daily Living? If you did not have the mental impairments, would your physical impairments have any impact on your ability to work?

I know it's often suggested to list every possible issue a person has, but if an impairment doesn't effect your ability to work, I think it can backfire with some ALJ's who might question your credibility by doing so. But I guess it's a bit late to worry about that...

Combined
 

Lit, a little background, with my combination of problems at my last job, I was under the family medical leave act for 8 years, on average I missed 5 months of work a year, fired twice for missing days. Although conditions like mine can be controlled, people fail to realize they are still there, with the medication I'm generally left with crippling fatigue, sleepless nights, lethargic days, inability to remember things, I'm at the post it note stage. I'm always amazed, your credibility is questioned when you need help, but I worked 37 years in a row, where were the questions then.

Both the companies I used did this exact same thing.
Denied both claims.

Was going to try Binder and Binder. I heard they were the best but does not
sound any different.

Sorry. I know how terribly frustrating this is.

I think I am going to get a diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease or worse this month.
Hopefully, someone will help me after that because I am no longer able to even help myself now at all.

What a joke disability benefits are. You might have better luck if you tell them
your a meth addict and a hoarder because that is the only people that seem to
get approved. Oh, and also the fact of being a worker who earned benefits
for years and years seems to not help at all.

Good luck. :hug: don't let it depress you worse. Just assume you will be denied.

Someone listed a recommendation for an attorney in Salt Lake City in one of these posts recently: http://ssdfacts.com/forum/index.php?board=78.0

If you can't find it, pm me and I'll spend the time when I have a chance. (I'm not a member there so I can't search. I don't want to be tempted to spend any more of my limited energy on SSDI issues.)