Blogs
Average waiting times for hearings at ODAR offices in San Francisco Bay Area
The most recent (June 2009) set of statistics listing processing times at the San Francisco Bay Area Offices of Disability Adjudication and Review (“ODAR”) does
Social Security Administration to partner with Microsoft in gathering health information
One of the most important tasks that I have as a lawyer in preparing a Social Security disability case is gathering a client’s list of
What are my responsibilities as a representative payee for a child?
I recently won a child’s SSI case for a young girl. It was difficult to win but now what is turning out to be more
Your Social Security number may be known if you participate on social networking sites
I am a big fan of a few social networking sites so I read with alarm a story on the Wall Street Journal’s blog about
News from the San Francisco Social Secuirty field offices
Yesterday, at our monthly meeting of Social Security disability attorneys and claimants’ representatives, we had two district managers from the Social Security Administration’s San Francisco
Lessons in compassion and respect
In a one week period of time, I have have more lessons in compassion and respect than I have had over the past couple of
Double check Social Security’s denial of benefits based on your immigration status
Don’t lose hope, at least initially, if Social Security tells you that they are denying you benefits because of your immigration status. I have seen
Is someone “literate” if he or she is able to pass the naturalization exam?
Last week I had a new situation, at least new for me. I was representing a native Spanish speaker. I had conducted all of our
Alzheimer’s Caregiver support group to begin on Second Life
As I was reviewing my blog just now, I realized that I have not posted in quite a while. I am now a caregiver for
Continuing Legal Education seminar on attorneys with disabilities offered in Second Life
In February I became president of the Second Life® Bar Association. I am excited about the upcoming year and hope to bring new educational content
It is no fun being disabled
Perhaps due to California’s budget problems, it seems that the disabled are an easy target. I have received comments on my blog accusing the disabled
Are survivors divorced spouse’s benefits retroactive?
My new motto is to file early and often. It can be detrimental to wait and file for Social Security disability benefits. Perhaps I am

