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Social Security Disability Revealed: Why it’s so hard to access benefits and what you can do about it
A former Social Security Administration (SSA) disability decision writer goes behind the scenes to show you why it’s so difficult to win a Social Security Disability case. Working as an Attorney Advisor for over 10 years, the author drafted and reviewed thousands of disability decisions. During this time, he learned why the system is stacked against the claimant throughout the process. After he left SSA, he wanted to make this knowledge available to everyone.
In this book, the author reveals the inner workings of the disability system, explaining how the system works – and doesn’t. Using hypothetical examples and a glossary, this book breaks down the complicated disability rules, timelines, jargon, and processes. This book is for claimants, representatives, family, friends, counselors, caregivers, social workers, case workers, advocates, and anyone who interacts with disability applicants.
After reading this book, you will better understand what claimants go through, why the Social Security regulations make it so difficult to file and win a disability case, and what you can do to improve your chances of success. The author presents the timeline of a typical case, and takes you through a disability hearing. He lays out what medical information SSA considers to be the best evidence for a variety of medical impairments, and he explains the impact of drug or alcohol use on case outcomes.
These insights will help you protect your rights, and will help you present the best possible case to the Judge. This information can prevent unpleasant surprises, delays, and disappointments. The book also includes an overview of your appeal options, and explains why having a representative improves your chances of success. The book concludes with advice on how to improve the delivery of public benefits.
In this book, the author reveals the inner workings of the disability system, explaining how the system works – and doesn’t. Using hypothetical examples and a glossary, this book breaks down the complicated disability rules, timelines, jargon, and processes. This book is for claimants, representatives, family, friends, counselors, caregivers, social workers, case workers, advocates, and anyone who interacts with disability applicants.
After reading this book, you will better understand what claimants go through, why the Social Security regulations make it so difficult to file and win a disability case, and what you can do to improve your chances of success. The author presents the timeline of a typical case, and takes you through a disability hearing. He lays out what medical information SSA considers to be the best evidence for a variety of medical impairments, and he explains the impact of drug or alcohol use on case outcomes.
These insights will help you protect your rights, and will help you present the best possible case to the Judge. This information can prevent unpleasant surprises, delays, and disappointments. The book also includes an overview of your appeal options, and explains why having a representative improves your chances of success. The book concludes with advice on how to improve the delivery of public benefits.
262 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 3, 2022
9 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Spencer Bishins
2 books1 followerSpencer Bishins has a master’s degree from the London School of Economics, and a law degree from Florida State University. After law school, he worked in the private sector for two years prior to joining the Social Security Administration (SSA) in 2010. He worked at the Appeals Council for almost four years, reviewing thousands of disability decisions for compliance with SSA’s complex rules and procedures. He then worked at the hearing level for seven years, where he drafted almost 2,000 decisions for SSA Administrative Law Judges.
After working for SSA for more than 10 years, he wanted to help demystify the complicated disability system. His first book, Social Security Disability Revealed: Why it’s so hard to access benefits and what you can do about it, explores the obstacles that disability claimants face as they try to access benefits.
After working for SSA for more than 10 years, he wanted to help demystify the complicated disability system. His first book, Social Security Disability Revealed: Why it’s so hard to access benefits and what you can do about it, explores the obstacles that disability claimants face as they try to access benefits.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 8, 2022
When I was expecting my firstborn, a friend recommended that I read a book about what to expect in pregnancy and childbirth. Reading the book didn’t change the course of my pregnancy or delivery, but it helped me to understand what was happening to my body and gave me some strategies to manage the pains of labor. It was like a guidebook to navigate me into a strange, new land.
Nearly thirty years later, I needed a new kind of guidebook after that same child experienced a brain injury. In a day, he went from being gainfully employed and living independently to being dependent on others. Because he had been employed since he was 16, we believed he was eligible for SSDI. But we needed help to navigate the system.
Social Security Revealed is just such a guide. In clear easy-to-understand language, with helpful examples along the way, Spencer Bishins explains how the system works, and what is happening behind the scenes while you apply for benefits. As I read his book, I felt as though I had an advocate at my side on this journey, someone who believes my son has a right to these benefits, and who would steer me in the direction of a positive outcome.
I do not wish this journey on anyone, but if you are on it, take this book with you. You will need it.
Nearly thirty years later, I needed a new kind of guidebook after that same child experienced a brain injury. In a day, he went from being gainfully employed and living independently to being dependent on others. Because he had been employed since he was 16, we believed he was eligible for SSDI. But we needed help to navigate the system.
Social Security Revealed is just such a guide. In clear easy-to-understand language, with helpful examples along the way, Spencer Bishins explains how the system works, and what is happening behind the scenes while you apply for benefits. As I read his book, I felt as though I had an advocate at my side on this journey, someone who believes my son has a right to these benefits, and who would steer me in the direction of a positive outcome.
I do not wish this journey on anyone, but if you are on it, take this book with you. You will need it.
July 27, 2022
I figured it was going too be an infuriating read.
Lots of information here, but - as an applicant - very little in the way of actionable intelligence.
An excellent overview of the ways a bureaucracy can dehumanize and harm people on an industrial scale, though!
Includes bonus chapter which could be titled "Why UBI would save money for everybody except the people who profit by exploiting our relative economic impotence"
Lots of information here, but - as an applicant - very little in the way of actionable intelligence.
An excellent overview of the ways a bureaucracy can dehumanize and harm people on an industrial scale, though!
Includes bonus chapter which could be titled "Why UBI would save money for everybody except the people who profit by exploiting our relative economic impotence"
January 7, 2023
Spencer is an upcoming guest on the Neurodiverging podcast and graciously offered me a copy of his book so that I could prepare for our interview. I'm not being compensated in any way to have him on the show or to talk about this book.
If you want a nitty-gritty overview of how the US SSID system works with a lot of specific case examples, this is a great read. Spencer Bishins is a lawyer with a lot of experience reviewing these cases, and he discusses how the system is supposed to work, all of the places where it doesn't actually work that well, and where it could be improved. He gives a lot of good specific information about when and how you should hire an advocate, what to do if you suspect bias from a judge, and what to expect throughout the process. I also appreciated his clear delineation of how the process differs for someone with a physical disability versus a psychiatric illness versus a intellectual disability or neurotype difference.
The book is not a quick read, but it's a very worthwhile one.
If you want a nitty-gritty overview of how the US SSID system works with a lot of specific case examples, this is a great read. Spencer Bishins is a lawyer with a lot of experience reviewing these cases, and he discusses how the system is supposed to work, all of the places where it doesn't actually work that well, and where it could be improved. He gives a lot of good specific information about when and how you should hire an advocate, what to do if you suspect bias from a judge, and what to expect throughout the process. I also appreciated his clear delineation of how the process differs for someone with a physical disability versus a psychiatric illness versus a intellectual disability or neurotype difference.
The book is not a quick read, but it's a very worthwhile one.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews