I am disabled myself. I successfully represented myself at the ALJ level, after receiving a partially favorable decision with an inexperienced attorney that was substituted at my first hearing. --I was aware I probably needed to hire a new attorney and don't recommend the pro se process even though it worked well for me. It's generally best to utilize your representative, as well as self advocate.

I continued to learn about the process so that I could potentially help others by reading other websites and attorney's books, the posts of a SS staffer here at NT, and then eventually digging in to the SS source material directly at SSA.gov. After the SS forum at this site slowed down, I began volunteering at SSDFacts and have been a moderator there for a few years. I've been less active here for a year or so, but came back to participate in my impairment related forum after a traumatic health issue arose and stopped back in to this forum as well.

If I was well enough to be dependable physically, I would study and apply to be a non attorney rep myself. I've been actively learning about the process for 15+ years, and active here 7+ years. If I don't know something, I know where to look or who to ask. And while this site isn't as busy, there are a hand full of very knowledgeable posters that would call me out if I was posting nonsense.

I can link to reputable sources for everything I've stated, and the patterns and anecdotal evidence I've noted is not unique. (I have linked to some of those sources in the stickies above.) My daily interactions with other claimants have simply confirmed that there are predictable patterns in many scenarios.

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Going through this process is incredibly stressful *admin edit*.


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Other sites? I post here and one other site, using the same username.

I was trying to give you information that I believed could potentially help you with an approval at the Reconsideration level because I believed you were one of those in a small group that might have a chance of approval at this level. Again, approvals are a little over 10% at Reconsideration.

I'm sorry if my posts seem complicated, but the SSDI process is complicated. My belief is that applicants can and should be more proactive helping prove they qualify for SSI/SSDI. This often means they need to dig in and learn the rules in this stressful, complex medical/legal evaluation.

My advice was that you: 1)review the requirements for your Listing and the approval process in general 2)ask your caseworker why you didn't previously meet a Listing 3)confirm your new test will provide the information required 4)after you stated you already had an attorney, I suggested he/she could tell you why you were previously denied at the initial stage 5)if you're denied at Recon that you could request a copy of your file.

My intention was to try and help you, so I'm sorry you are upset my posts. I'm not sure which part of the above was objectionable or required a law degree to dispense.

I always appreciate your responses Lit Love and know that you always try to help others with all of your heart. You have helped me immensely on this forum and I personally thank you for that. Hope you're feeling better and sending many virtual hugs and prayers your way.

Lit Love - thank you for all of the research you take on for the benefit of all of us. I read all of your posts and have found them helpful and insightful.