How Did Your Favorite ALJ Fare at the Appeals Council?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has published data on the number of Appeals Council Request for Reviews filed per individual Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), and the outcome of each request: https://www.ssa.gov/foia/resources/proactivedisclosure/2019/Jan%202018%20-%20Dec%202018%20Appeals%20Council%20Request%20for%20Review%20Actions.pdf

Muscle Strength Scores Explained

Confused by what those muscle strength scores in medical reports mean?  Explanations of the scores, as well as video demonstrations of the various tests, are available on-line.  Thanks to Lisa-Michelle P. Houck, paralegal at Buckley, Mendleson, Criscione & Quinn, P.C., in Albany for directing us to this link: http://www.neuroexam.com/neuroexam/content29.html

BLS Reports on Employee Absences

How many times have you been frustrated by disparate testimony from vocational witnesses about how many days off an employee will allow?  The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) publishes information that may prove helpful in debunking some vocational testimony: 66% of workers are allowed nine or fewer sick days per year after one year of service; 95% of workers are allowed 14 or fewer sick days per year after one year of service.  Thanks to Lisa-Michelle P. Houck for this link: https://www.bls.gov/ncs/ebs/benefits/2017/ownership/civilian/table35a.pdf

SSA Publishes 2019 Red Book

No, the Social Security Administration (SSA) is not publishing magazines now.  But it has issued its yearly update to its guide to employment supports for recipients of Social Security disability benefits, Supplemental Security Income, or both.  It explains work incentives, how working can affect benefits, where to find local services, and more: https://www.ssa.gov/redbook/