Agenda / Content Covered

1. SSDI/SSI THE BASICS: OVERVIEW OF THE LAW, TERMS, AND PROCEDURES
   9:00 - 9:45, Diane M. Sauer
   1. Definitions and Abbreviations
   2. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) vs. Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
      1. SSDI Overview
      2. SSI Overview
      3. Eligibility Dates and Concurrent Benefits
   3. The Steps of the Claims Process
   4. Governing Law and Helpful Resources
   5. Electronics and Social Security
2. FOLLOWING THE SEQUENTIAL EVALUATION AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS IN CASE DEVELOPMENT
   9:45 - 10:25, Diane M. Sauer
   1. The Steps of the Sequential Evaluation Including Applicable Rules and Resources
   2. Intake and Deciding Whether to Take a Case: Determining the Strengths and Weak Points and How to Address Them
   3. Forms to Get You Started
3. APPLICATION AND APPEALS PROCESS
   10:40 - 11:20, Russell D. Zimberlin
   1. Setting Up an Account with SS ODAR and Online Access
   2. Filing Process and Submission of Documents Step-by-Step
   3. Procedure, Forms, Instructions and Useful Links for Every Step of the Claims Process
   4. What to do About Old Applications
   5. What You Need to Know About Appeals Council and Federal Court Review
4. EVIDENTIARY ISSUES IN DISABILITY CLAIMS
   11:20 - 12:05, Winona W. Zimberlin
   1. Creating an Exhaustive List of all the Documents You Will Need
   2. Personal Medical History and Treating Physician Opinions
   3. Consultative Exams and Medical Source Statements
   4. Employment History and Earnings Record
   5. Practical Tips for Obtaining Crucial Documents
   6. Submission of Evidence Rules Update
   7. Trial Work Periods and Work Attempts
   8. Representing Indigent Clients and Clients with Diminished Mental Capacity
   9. Troubleshooting Lack of Insured Status
   10. Addressing Failure to Follow Prescribed Treatment
5. WRITING THE BRIEF AND PREPARING FOR THE HEARING
   1:05 - 1:50, Melissa A. Buckley
   1. Developing a Winning Theory
   2. Documenting the History of the Ailment - Forms/Letters from the Medical Professionals for Physical vs. Mental Disability Claims
   3. Drafting the Brief and What Form/Documents Must be Submitted with it
   4. Preparing the Client to Testify
   5. The Master Checklist of the "Must-Have" Documents for the Hearing
   6. Documenting and Explaining Prescription Medications
   7. Addressing Addiction
   8. Other Pre-Hearing Issues: On-the-Record Decisions, Memoranda, etc.
6. HOW TO CROSS-EXAMINE VOCATIONAL EXPERTS
   1:50 - 2:35, Benjamin M. Shapiro
   1. Challenging the VE’s Credentials
   2. Questioning Vocational Data Sources
   3. Language: Medical Limitations vs. Vocational Limitations
      1. Getting to Know the Dictionary of Occupational Titles
      2. Getting to Know the Selected Characteristics of Occupations
   4. Creating Your Own Hypothetical Questions
   5. Using the VE to Reduce the Number of Jobs by the Vocational Implications of Certain Limitations
   6. Vocational Implications of Pain and Mental Health Issues
   7. Challenging Opinions on the Availability/Number of Jobs: What is Meant by "Substantial Number of Jobs," "Existing in Several Regions"
7. HEARING TACTICS
   2:50 - 3:30, Olia M. Yelner
   1. Video vs. In-Person Hearings: Pros, Cons, Strategy
   2. Harmful Evidence and Other Rules for Hearings
   3. Maximizing Client Testimony Following the Five-Step Sequential Evaluation Process
   4. How to Present Hypotheticals
   5. Effective Use of Exhibits
   6. Addressing Bad Facts of the Case
   7. Always Build a Record for Appeal! - What You Must Remember in the Heat of Battle
8. AVOIDING ETHICAL PITFALLS
   3:30 - 4:30, Olia M. Yelner
   1. Client Misconduct
   2. Representative Misconduct
   3. Guarding Confidentiality
   4. Addressing Negative Evidence
   5. Limitations on Attorney Fees and Possible Exceptions

Accreditation Details:

MELISSA A. BUCKLEY is the owner of Buckley & Buckley, LLC, where she practices in the area of Social Security disability law. Ms. Buckley is admitted to practice in Connecticut and before the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut. She is a member of the Connecticut Bar Association and the New Haven Bar Association. Ms. Buckley is a sustaining member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR). She earned her B.A. degree from Yale University and her J.D. degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law.

DIANE M. SAUER has been providing representation to Social Security disability claimants for 39 years. Ms. Sauer has made many presentations to attorneys and paralegals on Social Security disability and related topics. She is a sole practitioner with Diane M. Sauer, Attorney at Law in Manchester, Connecticut, and limits her practice to the areas of Social Security disability insurance and Supplemental Security Income disability law. Ms. Sauer represents individuals at both the administrative and U.S. District Court levels. She earned her Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) degree from the University of Illinois and her J.D. degree from the University of Iowa. Ms. Sauer belongs to the Connecticut Bar Association (Disability Section), Manchester Bar Association, Tolland County Bar Association, and the Windham County Bar Association. She is a sustaining member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR).

BENJAMIN M. SHAPIRO is an attorney with the Law Office of Ivan M. Katz, where his practice focuses on Social Security disability law. Mr. Shapiro is admitted to practice in Connecticut. He is a member of the Connecticut Bar Association (Social Security Disability Section). Mr. Shapiro earned his B.S. degree from Brandeis University and his J.D. degree from Quinnipiac University School of Law.

OLIA M. YELNER is the owner of the law firm Pirro & Church LLC, where her main areas of practice include Social Security disability, ODAR hearings, appeals council and Federal District Court for Social Security matters. Ms. Yelner is admitted to practice in Connecticut and before the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut. She is a member of the Connecticut Bar Association. Ms. Yelner earned her B.S. degree from Sacred Heart University and her J.D. degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law. Ms. Yelner is a former adjunct professor at Lincoln College of New England, teaching various legal courses including insurance law, legal ethics and legal research and writing.

RUSSELL D. ZIMBERLIN is an attorney with Zimberlin Law LLC, where he represents claimants in veterans' disability, Connecticut state employee disability retirement, Social Security disability/SSI, and ERISA/Non-ERISA based long-term disability insurance plans. Mr. Zimberlin is admitted to practice in Connecticut and before the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut and the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. He also practices before the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Social Security Administration. Mr. Zimberlin is a member of the Hartford County Bar Association, Connecticut Bar Association, and Manchester Bar Association. He earned his B.S. degree from Temple University and his J.D. degree from New England Law.

WINONA W. ZIMBERLIN is a member with Zimberlin Law LLC, where she practices in the areas of Social Security disability, education law, higher education law, special education, long-term disability, Connecticut state disability retirement and veterans' disability. Ms. Zimberlin is a frequent lecturer on education and disability topics. She is a member of the Connecticut Bar Association (Education Law, Disability Law, and Administrative Law sections), the Hartford County Bar Association (Education Law Committee), the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives and the National Organization of Veterans Advocates. Ms. Zimberlin serves as a small claims magistrate for the state of Connecticut. She is a former hearing officer for several Connecticut state agencies. Ms. Zimberlin earned her B.A. degree from Ohio Wesleyan University and her J.D. degree, summa cum laude, from Western New England College School of Law.