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Sometimes a Judge doesn’t agree that you are disabled.  When that happens there are ways to appeal the Judge’s decision.   Appeals Sometimes a Judge doesn’t agree that you are disabled. When that happens there are ways to appeal the Judge’s decision. Appeal of the ALJ Decision Should you receive an unfavorable decision before the ALJ and are now calling us, we can file for a review of the ALJ’s decision for you. The Appeals Council will either deny the request if it feels the hearing decision was correct or will decide the case itself or return it to the ALJ for further review. Approximately 14% of cases are remanded back to the ALJ for further review. The appeals council approves less than 1% of the cases that their review is requested. Our office has been successful in getting approvals from the Appeals Council. Federal Court Review The federal court is limited in what they can do with an appeal of the ALJ decision and a refusal of the Appeals Council to send the case back to the ALJ. The Federal court cannot decide that the decision of the ALJ was wrong because the facts support a different decision. So long as “the findings of the Commissioner of Social Security as to any fact, if supported by substantial evidence, shall be conclusive, and where a claim has been denied by the Commissioner of Social Security or a decision is rendered under subsection (b) hereof which is adverse to an individual who was a party to the hearing before the Commissioner of Social Security, because of failure of the claimant or such individual to submit proof in conformity with any regulation prescribed under subsection (a) hereof, the court shall review only the question of conformity with such regulations and the validity of such regulations.” If the facts of the case are supported by the record in any way, even if more evidence supports a different conclusion, the court will not return the matter as the ALJ’s decision was based on the evidence in the file. This is a high bar for claimants to reach, and if you are contemplating going this way, it is in your best interest to talk to an attorney before filing. As with all the prior steps, the claim must be filed with the federal district court within 60 days of the denial from the Appeals Council. Back to Our Approach Page

ese examples do not indicate whether a child is disabled, only how we assign limitations in a child's activities to a domain or domains. Childhood Domains 1 Acquiring and using information This is your Services Page. It's a great opportunity to provide information about the services you provide. Double click on the text box to start editing your content and make sure to add all the relevant details you want to share with site visitors. 2 Attending and completing tasks This is your Services Page. It's a great opportunity to provide information about the services you provide. Double click on the text box to start editing your content and make sure to add all the relevant details you want to share with site visitors. 3 Interacting and relating with others This is your Services Page. It's a great opportunity to provide information about the services you provide. Double click on the text box to start editing your content and make sure to add all the relevant details you want to share with site visitors. 4 Moving about and manipulating objects This is your Services Page. It's a great opportunity to provide information about the services you provide. Double click on the text box to start editing your content and make sure to add all the relevant details you want to share with site visitors. 5 Caring for yourself This is your Services Page. It's a great opportunity to provide information about the services you provide. Double click on the text box to start editing your content and make sure to add all the relevant details you want to share with site visitors. 6 Health and physical well-being This is your Services Page. It's a great opportunity to provide information about the services you provide. Double click on the text box to start editing your content and make sure to add all the relevant details you want to share with site visitors.

ManleyReynolds attorney's wrote a detailed description and steps through the benefits process. Step 2: Request for Reconsideration Since most applications are initially denied, the second step is to request reconsideration. This is the same for both SSD and SSI claims. The request can be filed online, in person, or by mail. If you hire us, we will file the Reconsideration request for you, even if you did not contact us until after you received the initial denial. This step is substantially the same as the initial application process. There is more paperwork, more medical records, and possibly more consultative exams. The claimant is always responsible for keeping DDS and SSA informed of all medical providers, medical conditions, and doctor and hospital visits. When you are our client, we make sure this is done for you. Failing to complete anything that has been asked of you usually results in a denial for failure to comply. Generally, only 13% of Requests for Reconsideration are approved for benefits. Most people receive a denial letter at this step as well. Back to Our Approach Page

Past relevant work is work that you have done within the past 5 years that was substantial gainful activity. Any job held for less than 30 days is no longer considered relevant work Past Relevant Work (PRW). (1) Definition of past relevant work. Past relevant work is work that you have done within the past 5 years that was substantial gainful activity and that lasted long enough for you to learn to do it. ( See § 416.965(a).) Any job held for less than 30 days is no longer considered relevant work. Past 5 years SSA will go back five years from the date you allege you were no longer capable of full-time, sustained work activity. SGA For non-blind individuals, the monthly SGA amount for 2025 is $1,620.00 . The monthly SGA amount for statutorily blind individuals for 2025 is $2,700.00 . SGA for the blind does not apply to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, while SGA for the non-blind disabled applies to Social Security and SSI benefits. Substantial Work is "substantial" if it involves engaging in significant physical or mental activities, or a combination of both. Gainful Work is gainful if it is: performed for pay or profit; of a nature generally performed for pay or profit; or intended for profit, whether or not a profit is realized. Lasted long enough to learn Duration refers to the length of time during which the person gained job experience. It should have been sufficient for the worker to have learned the techniques, acquired information, and developed the facility needed for average performance in the job situation. The length of time this would take depends on the nature and complexity of the work. Any job held for less than 30 days is not used in determining this section. Back to FAQ Page

ManleyReynolds addresses frequently asked questions from previous interactions. As always, our attorneys are happy to answer questions! Frequently Asked Questions Reach an attorney directly at vickicorr@getssdi.org if you cannot find an answer to your question or want more information. Each person's situation is different; these questions and answers are for general information only. Do I qualify for Benefits? The immediate answer is, "it depends". Several factors determine whether you should start a claim with the Social Security Administration. The first question to answer is whether you are currently working. If you are and you make over a certain amount of money each month, you will not qualify for benefits. The monthly allowed amount changes annually. If the answer to the first question is no or you are under the allowed amount, the second question is, are my impairments medically determinable and have or will they last for at least 12 months? If the answer to both questions is yes then you should start the application process. If you are not sure about an answer, call our office and we can dicuss the situation with you! Link to Learn Even More How long does the process take? Most Initial Applications take between 6 and 8 months. Much of this time depends on how long your doctors take to respond to the requests for records. Requests for Reconsideration generally take between 4 and 6 months. Hearings before the Administrative Law Judge take 6 to 12 months. Link to Learn Even More How much does it cost? There are no out-of-pocket attorney fees for our clients. The Social Security Administration pays our attorney fees directly from the accrued back benefits. The SSA must approve all fees before they are released. There is never a fee if you do not receive benefits. Currently, the SSA determines attorney fees at 25% of the back benefits up to $7,500.00. Attorneys are never due anything from any future benefits clients receive. Link to Learn Even More How do I start? You can start an application for benefits several ways. 1. You can call us and we will start the process for you. 2. You can go on-line to ssa.gov and start. 3. You can go to or call your local field office for an appointment to start the claim. Link to Learn Even More Can I work? People are currently allowed to work and make up to $1,550.00 per month before tax and before being approved to receive benefits. SSI benefit recipients who are working will have a deduction in the amount of their monthly benefits. Please remember any person receiving SSI must inform the Social Security Administration of any work done each month. Link to Learn Even More I have no income, what do I do? The Federal Government does not offer any temporary benefits while your claim is pending. You can contact your local DHHS office to see if you qualify for benefits through their office. Please note that some DHHS offices will require you to repay the benefits you receive from them during the pendency of your social security claim. Link to Learn Even More What does disability mean? The Social Security Administration defines disability as a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that prevents an individual from engaging in any substantial gainful activity (SGA) and is expected to last for at least 12 months or result in death. Sounds pretty simple. But what is a medically determinable physical or mental impairment? Click here for a deep dive. What is substantial gainful activity (SGA)? Click here to find out more. Link to Learn Even More I applied before and I was denied, what can I do now? Call our office! Many times, even though someone has been denied, we are able to get them approved. Each person's case is different and we are happy to discuss your situation and let you know what we can do to help you. Link to Learn Even More Additional Questions? Call or text us today!

SSA requires a child to have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment (or combination of impairments) that results in "marked and severe functional limitations." Children and Disability For children to qualify for Social Security disability benefits, they must meet the Social Security Administration's (SSA) strict definition of disability. This requires a child to have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment (or combination of impairments) that results in "marked and severe functional limitations." The impairment must also have lasted, or be expected to last, for at least one year or result in death When evaluating a child's disability claim, the SSA considers their age, the severity of their limitations, and how their condition impacts their ability to function in age-appropriate activities compared to other children. Marked and Severe Functional Limitations Child Benefits Marked and Severe Functional Limitations refer to a level of impairment that significantly interferes with a child's ability to perform age-appropriate activities compared to other children without disabilities. Marked Limitations: A marked limitation is more severe than a moderate limitation and indicates serious difficulty in a particular domain. Severe Limitations: A severe limitation is one that very seriously interferes with a child's ability to function in a certain area. Determining Child SSI Claims How the SSA determines this: Functional Domains: The SSA evaluates a child's limitations across six domains: Acquiring and using information Attending and completing tasks Interacting and relating with others Moving about and manipulating objects Caring for yourself Health and physical well-being Comparison to Other Children: The child's limitations are assessed relative to what would be expected for their age group. Not Just Diagnosis: A diagnosis alone does not guarantee benefits. The focus is on how the medical condition impacts daily functioning. Back to FAQ Page

Ordinarily, RFC is a function-by-function assessment of an individual's maximum ability to do sustained work-related physical and mental activities on a regular and continuing basis (8 hours a day, for 5 days a week) despite the limitations and restrictions resulting from his or her medically determinable impairments. In short, it accounts for an individual’s capacity for full-time work RFC Residual Functional Capacity What is Residual Functional Capacity or RFC? Ordinarily, RFC is a function-by-function assessment of an individual's maximum ability to do sustained work-related physical and mental activities on a regular and continuing basis (8 hours a day, for 5 days a week) despite the limitations and restrictions resulting from his or her medically determinable impairments. In short, it accounts for an individual’s capacity for full-time work. For the physical RFC (PRFC) an individual’s medical condition is evaluated in terms of the physical demands of work used in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) and SCO. Mental RFC (MRFC) is evaluated in terms of the mental demands of work set out in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) . The sole purpose of assessing RFC is to determine an individual’s ability to work at steps 4 and 5. Limitations? Restrictions? Limitations: Define activity levels beyond which an individual is physically unable to perform on a sustained basis. Restrictions: Define activity levels beyond which it would be medically ill-advised for an individual to perform on a sustained basis. Restrictions: Define activity levels beyond which it would be medically ill-advised for an individual to perform on a sustained basis. Back to Our Approach Page

ManleyReynolds wants to help you receive your benefits. Call us today! ManleyReynolds, PLLC. Social Security Disability Law Firm Home About the Firm Our Approach Resources and Information FAQ Contact Us More Return to Homepage Contact Us Today! 18000 W. 9 Mile Rd., Suite 635 Southfield, MI 48075 Text, ZOOM or Call Us: (833)-GET-SSDI (833)-438-7734 Email: attorneyvicki@getssdi.org Return to Homepage Contact us today for a free consultation! Last name(Required) First name Email or Phone Number(Required) Please provide either your phone # or email, this will be the way we contact you. Questions? Feel free to leave more information here, either regarding your case or general questions. Our attorney will review this information to provide you a better answer. Or you can leave this blank and address your questions/concerns over the phone or email. Submit Facebook WhatsApp Linkedin ZOOM Return to Homepage

At ManleyReynolds, PLLC, we approach every case with a focus on achieving the best possible outcome for our clients. Our team of experienced lawyers is dedicated to working tirelessly to get you the benefits you deserve. We are here to help guide you through the process. Let us put our experience to work for you and help you navigate the complex world of Social Security disability law. The ManleyReynolds Approach At ManleyReynolds, PLLC, we approach every case with a focus on achieving the best possible outcome for our clients. Our team of experienced lawyers is dedicated to working tirelessly to get you the benefits you deserve. We understand the challenges facing individuals seeking Social Security disability benefits and are here to help guide you through the process. We pride ourselves on our personable and helpful approach and are always available to answer any questions you may have. Let us put our experience to work for you and help you navigate the complex world of Social Security disability law. Questions? Send us an email! SSDI SSI Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) SSD is for people who have a sufficient work history. To qualify for SSD, a person must have the required work credits. Generally, this means working full-time for at least five of the ten years before the illness or injury occurred. You earn work credits for each quarter you work, up to four credits a year. The rest of the requirements are identical for SSD and SSI claims. You must have an illness or injury that is medically determinable that prevents you from working full time that has or will last for at least 12 months or will end in death. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) SSI is for anyone who, for any reason, does not have a work history. This includes children who have a medically determinable impairment that has or will last for at least 12 months or end in death. SSI is a needs-based program. You most likely will not qualify for this benefit if you have too many assets, too much money in the bank, retirement accounts, or other property or income. Similarly, if you are disabled and do not have a work history, but your spouse is working, you most likely will not qualify for these benefits. Household income is used to calculate SSI. SSI claims have a cap that is determined each year. The Social Security Administration does reduce the monthly amount for various reasons. This does include and is not limited to the following: assistance from others, living with others, receiving income from a part-time job, and for a variety of other reasons as well. 3 Steps to Benefits Not a fan of talking? Text us today! 01. Step 1: Application The first step in your journey to receiving your benefits is to start an application. There are several ways to do this: 1. You can call us at (833)-GET-SSDI, and we will apply for you. 2. You can go online and fill out the electronic forms at ssa.gov. 3. You can call or go to your local field office. Read All 02. Step 2: Request for Reconsideration The second step is to file a Request for Reconsideration. This must be done within 60 days of the date on the denial letter There are several ways you can file this request: 1. You can call our office at (833)-GET-SSDI, and we will file it for you. 2. You can mail in the forms to request a reconsideration. 3. You can go online and fill out the request. 4. You can go to your local field office to file it. Read All 03. Step 3: Request for Hearing The third step is to file a Request for Hearing. This must be done within 60 days of the date on the denial letter. 1. You can call our office at (833)-GET-SSDI, and we will file it for you. 2. You can mail in the forms to request a hearing before the Judge. 3. You can go online and fill out the request. 4. You can go to your local field office to file it. Read All Request for reconsideratio

ManleyReynolds is a Social Security disability law firm. Contact us today, and let us help you get the benefits you deserve (833)-438-7734 ManleyReynolds, PLLC Social Security Disability Law Firm It's ALWAYS free to chat! Contact Us Today! Let us help you get the benefits you deserve Free Case Consultation First name* Last name* Email* Phone Number* Submit Our Approach When you call ManleyReynolds Social Secuirty, you will talk to your attorney. The attorney assigned to your case will be with you every step of the way. Your attorney discusses your case with you thoroughly and ensures that you understand each step thoroughly. We take the position that an informed client is a happy client. We are happy to answer questions at any point, always free of charge. Call Us Today! Vicki Corr, Esq Senior Attorney Vicki Corr is a passionate individual who prides herself on making sure her clients get the fastest and proper benefits. To Vicki, you are not just another number. She does everything she can to make sure her clients get their benefits. Read More Frequently Asked Questions The top 5 most asked questions our office receives: 1. Do I qualify? 2. How long does it take? 3. How much does it cost? 4. How do I start? 5. Can I work? View More SSI VS SSDI Are you confused about the different benefits? You are not alone. Click for an in-depth review of the differences between benefits written by our attorneys. Learn More Attorney Fees The Social Security Administration approves and determines all attorney fees for Social Security Disability and pays the attorney fees directly to the attorney for you. You do not need to wait for the attorney to receive a check and distribute your back benefits to you. View All M.V. Vicki Corr is the best, she helped my boyfriend when they denied his SSI a couple years ago and this year when SSI suspended his benefits, if it wasn't for her and all her help we don't know what we would have done. She is hands down the best. No matter what I was always able to reach her either by email or by calling the office and the lady who picks up the phone when you call the office is the sweetest and kindest person. Thank you for all the help and for being in our corner. 100% recommend! Give them a call you will not regret it. A.D. When I needed help I didn't know anything about the processes or how to do anything about it and I got help from here. The kind of help that is respectful and understanding and considerate even when busy. The respect I gave has always been returned equally. There has never been a call or email that wasn't returned or any questions I asked left unanswered. See More Reviews Here J.S. Vicki Corr has been amazing to work with. She explained all of the steps in detail to me as we went through this process. She is also an incredibly patient and kind person, and helped to make the whole endeavor less scary and overwhelming for me. She has stuck by my side throughout the entire years-long process and beyond, and always reminded me that I could contact her whenever and for whatever reason. She is very competent and I would suggest her to anyone who needs help in regards to disability. ManleyReynolds, PLLC attorneys are there every step of the way. You will no longer battle the SSA alone or struggle with the overwhelming paperwork they send you. Don't do this alone; contact us today (833) - 438 - 7734

ManleyReynold's details how Social Security Administration pays for your attorney. Attorney Fees Link to Attorney Fees page on SSA.gov There are no out-of-pocket attorney fees for our clients, ever . The Social Security Administration pays our attorney fees directly from the back benefits. The SSA must approve all fees before they are released. There is never a fee if you do not receive benefits. The SSA determines attorney fees at 25% of the back benefits up to $9,200.00. No fees ever come from future monthly benefits. Link to FAQ's

5-Step Sequential Evaluation Process for Assessing Disability 5-Step Sequential Evaluation Process for Assessing Disability 01 Is the individual working above SGA level? At the first step, we consider an individual’s work activity, if any. SGA stands for Substantial Gainful Activity and the amount changes each year. For 2009 it is $980 for the non-blind and $1640 for the blind. If an individual is working and his or her earnings average more than the SGA limit a month, then he or she is found not disabled. If an individual is not working or his or her earnings are less than SGA, the adjudicator goes to step two. 02 Is the individual’s physical and/or mental condition severe? At the second step, we consider the medical severity of an individual’s impairment(s). An individual must have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment (or a combination of impairments) that is severe and meets the duration requirement. To be severe an impairment or impairments must interfere with basic work-related activities. To meet the duration requirement the impairment(s) must be expected to last twelve months or to result in death If the impairment(s) are not severe or do not meet the duration requirement, the individual is found not disabled. If the impairment(s) are severe and meet the duration requirement, the adjudicator goes to question three. 03 Does the individual’s medical condition meet or equal the severity of a Listing? At the third step, we also consider the medical severity of an individual’s impairment(s). SSA maintains a listing of medical criteria that are considered to be so severe that an individual is found to be disabled if his or her medically determinable physical or mental impairment(s) matches them. An individual’s impairment(s) can be found to meet the listed criteria exactly or to be of equal severity. If an individual has an impairment that meets or equals one of the listings and meets the duration requirement, he or she is found to be disabled. If an individual does not have an impairment that meets or equals one of the listings or the duration requirement is not met, the adjudicator goes to Step 4. However, before going from step three to step four, the individual’s residual functional capacity (RFC) is assessed. This RFC assessment is then used at both step four and step five. 04 Can the individual do any of his/her Past Relevant Work? At step 4 a function-by-function comparison of the individual’s RFC and past relevant work (PRW) is completed. If an individual retains the physical and mental capacity to perform any PRW, he/she Is found not disabled. If no PRW can be done, or the individual has no relevant work, the adjudicator goes to step five. 05 Can the individual make an adjustment to any other work? At the fifth and last step, an individual’s RFC and age, education, and work experience are considered to see if he/she can make an adjustment to other work. If an individual can make an adjustment to other work, he or she is found to be not disabled. If an individual can not make an adjustment to other work, he or she is found to be disabled. Back to FAQ Page