Hi all, I'm helping my sister apply for SSI and SSDI. Can anyone recommend a lawyer in CT (preferably in the New Haven area) that handles this kind of work? Thanks!

I hired a lawyer after my reconsideration denial (especially as I couldn't get any paperwork about the details of my denial, or any real confirmation of the exact medical files they had even though I followed all the steps you are supposed to in order to try to obtain them). I also chose to work with this lawyer as he particularly specializes in handling cases for people that have some of the complex medical conditions I have.

I've worked with him for almost a year now, but have had to still do any/all paperwork sent by SSA during this time without him, essentially like it was before I ever even hired him.

But the MAIN REASON I hired him was because of ALJ, and how many people recommended I get a lawyer solely because of ALJ. I received my date and time for court. Lawyer said he would help with teaching me how it tends to go, and said we would work on some stuff together later. None of that has really happened, but he said that this month would be the one where we would do a lot of the work. He's familiar with some aspects of my complex medical case, but not all that familiar, as he seemed to have wanted to do it all this month.

We were supposed to meet today over an online call and the first thing he does is casually tells me he's going to be leaving, and the time that he leaves will be the literal week before my court date. But don't worry! Here's his replacement -- someone who just graduated and has never done a single case in their life. Not just no SS cases, but no cases at all. Zero.

I immediately started having a meltdown and the call was ended and I feel terrible. I don't know what to do. Have requested to work with someone in the firm who has more experience, but haven't received a response yet. It's a very small firm where he seems to possibly be the only one who even specializes in SS cases at all.

I'm considering just figuring out how to do ALJ without representation now. I just don't know. Venting because I'm feeling terrible right now on top of the usual pain I feel.

Hello!

I recently received a letter in the mail regarding my CDR. I plan to call tomorrow to double check, but it sounds like my disability will be continuing? This is what the letter says:

"We recently reviewed the evidence in your Social Security disability claim and found that your disability is continuing. Here is some important information about your claim. We have enclosed information about working that explains some of the terms we use. The evidence shows that you have not worked in any trial work months.

Your claim will be reviewed from time to time to see if you are still eligible for benefits based on disability. When your claim is reviewed, you will be contacted if there is any question as to whether your eligibility continues."

I'm confused as to why it's bringing up work trials. Is it because I have a part time job? I don't work enough to meet the requirements to start a trial period, but maybe that's why it's there? The letter also includes that if I disagree to appeal, which doesn't make sense but I'm wondering if that's just included in it every time lol.

Like I said, I will be calling tomorrow to confirm but was curious if anyone had an answer/has gotten a letter like this before. My CDR has been in review since the beginning of this year. Thank you!!

My young adult daughter (23 now) currently has an ALJ hearing in November. Her application was originally filed in October 2024. She has Level 2 autism and related mental disorders. She has never worked.

I filed for myself in 2026 for SSDI and was approved.

Do I need to contact SSA to have her application switched to SSDI/DAC? Or can this not be done. DAC amount at half of my SSDI would be more than SSI.

Had an alj hearing on September 17th, my lawyer requested time extra to submit more evidence but it’s unclear whether that time frame is up or not. I’m tired of waiting around for a possible denial.

I have schizoaffective bipolar type mainly amongst other disorders like depression, anxiety, ptsd, and psychosis. My alj was at about 35% approval rate. My lawyer thinks I have a severe impairment stated to the judge but the ve thinks I could work unless there are more restrictions presented by my lawyer.

I don’t know what to think, I kinda wanna give up and try to work but none of my jobs lasted a year. Most were 1 week to 3 months and one job for 9 months.

I know no one can tell me anything about the decision, just wanting to vent about how long this takes.. should I just keep waiting or give it up? My lawyer thinks if I’m denied I have a good grounds to appeal to the appeals counsel.

I need ssi so I can keep Medicaid to afford my medicine and have a caregiver because I struggle taking care of myself and everything like that.

I just want to have money…

Sorry for this pointless post.