Are you confident with your knowledge of social security regulations? Are you confident in your ability to handle every challenge and legal risk before and during the hearing process? Order these materials and acquire better pre-trial hearing planning and preparation, improved performance at administrative law judge hearings and increased ability to tackle special issues with greater skill and confidence. Order today!

1. Social Security Disability: Get the Basics Down
2. Prepare and Analyze Information Before the Hearing
3. Succeed at the Administrative Law Judge Hearing
4. Resolve Ethical Issues in Your Practice
5. Handle Special Issues As They Arise

1. SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY: GET THE BASICS DOWN
   9:00 - 10:15, Steven R. Jacobs
   1. Untangle Recent Changes to the Social Security Disability Program
   2. Examine Significant Rulings That Threaten Your Success
   3. Determine the Different Types of Disability Cases
   4. Grasp Important Definitions of Abbreviations and Acronyms
   5. Sort Through Medical and Vocational Issues (including use of the “GRID”)
   6. Identify Remedies Available under ERISA
   7. Tap Into All the Resources Available to You
2. PREPARE AND ANALYZE INFORMATION BEFORE THE HEARING
   10:30 - 12:00, Steven R. Jacobs
   1. How to Decide Whether to Accept or Decline Representation of the Client
   2. Medical and Other Essential Evidence You Must Gather
   3. Obtain Necessary Reports and Interrogatories
   4. Analyze Social Security File Documentation
   5. How to File a Claim
   6. Prepare Clients to Effectively Testify
   7. Tips for Establishing the Claim
   8. Avoid Mistakes with Ready-to-Use Forms and Letters
3. SUCCEED AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE HEARING
   1:00 - 2:15, Michael L. Blankenship
   1. Great Advice for Working with the Local Hearing Office
   2. A Practical Hearing Checklist You'll Use Over and Over
   3. How to Handle Expert Witnesses – Yours and Your Opponents
   4. Follow the Rules for Submitting Evidence to the Letter
   5. Documenting and Presenting Medical and Vocational Evidence
   6. Difficulties to Expect and How to Handle Them
   7. Proven Tactics That Can Lead to a Favorable Ruling
   8. Guard Against Costly Errors When Calculating Benefits
   9. How Benefits Received Impact Other Recoveries
   10. Breakthrough Misconceptions about the Appeals Process
4. RESOLVE ETHICAL ISSUES IN YOUR PRACTICE
   2:15 - 3:15, Peter L. Wormser
   1. Be on the Lookout for Conflicts of Interest
   2. Useful Tips for Setting Attorneys' Fees
   3. What to Do to Ensure Confidentiality
   4. Forge a Solid Attorney/Client Relationship
5. HANDLE SPECIAL ISSUES AS THEY ARISE
   3:30 - 4:30, Peter L. Wormser
   1. Litigating a Childhood Disability Case? Here's What to Know
   2. Trial Work Periods/Unsuccessful Work Attempts/Closed Periods of Disability
   3. Resources Available to Attorneys in Disability Cases

MICHAEL L. BLANKENSHIP is a vocational rehabilitation specialist who has been employed in the private sector, the not-for-profit sector, and the public sector. Mr. Blankenship holds a B.S. degree in psychology and an M.A. degree in counseling psychology. He is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Board Certified Professional Counselor (BCPC), Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), National Board Certified Counselor (NCC) and Certified Case Manager (CCM). Mr. Blankenship is a senior disability analyst and a diplomat of the American Board of Disability Analysts. In addition, he is an instructor at Ball State University in the Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance. Forensic rehabilitation is the primary focus of Mr. Blankenship's case load. He serves as a vocational expert under contract to the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review of the Social Security Administration and receives referrals from numerous agencies for purposes of workers' compensation evaluation, short-term and long-term disability, training, and/or placement. Referrals for legal services include Social Security disability, wrongful death, discrimination, divorce, and personal injury which encompasses product liability, workers' compensation, medical malpractice, and motor vehicle accidents. Currently, Mr. Blankenship serves as president of Blankenship Vocational Services. The agency is an independent private practice providing vocational assessments, job search training, and placement. Case management, labor market analysis, loss of earning capacity analysis, career planning, employment services, and expert court testimony are all within the scope of services provided on a fee basis. Mr. Blankenship has been engaged in the practice of vocational rehabilitation since 1970. He regularly attends college accredited classes and other professional seminars, keeping him aware and abreast of current research, legislation, and concerns relative to providing services to individuals who may have a physical or psychological impairment.

STEVEN R. JACOBS is an attorney and life long resident of Central Indiana. Mr. Jacobs graduated from DePauw University in 1971 and Indiana University - Indianapolis Law School in 1974. He concentrates his practice in the area of Social Security disability cases. Mr. Jacobs has been a member of NOSSCR since 1980 and is a member of the Indiana State Bar Association. He was admitted to Federal Court in the Southern District of Indiana and to the Seventh Circuit Federal Court of Appeals. Mr. Jacobs lives in Indianapolis with offices in Indianapolis and Bloomington.

PETER L. WORMSER is a sole practitioner in Indianapolis and has been practicing law for more than 40 years. Mr. Wormser practices in the areas of family law, divorce, child custody, child support, guardianship, adoption law and Social Security disability. He earned his B.S. degree from Indiana University and his J.D. degree from Indiana University School of Law. Mr. Wormser has lectured on many topics related to family law issues and also has been a presenter on Social Security disability issues.

Please refer to Continuing Education Credit FAQ for general information about seeking credit for your participation in one of our continuing education programs.

Additionally, our team of credit specialists are here to answer your specific credit-related questions weekdays 7am - 5pm Central:

Phone: 866-240-1890

Email: credit@nbi-sems.com