Submitted by Sarah Mays, Interim Supervising Attorney
Our client Dennis Martin (fictitious name) is a 52-year-old man who suffers from severe lumbar degenerative disc disease, cervical degenerative disc disease, left shoulder rotator cuff tear and degenerative joint disease, venous statis, obesity, hepatitis C, depression, and anxiety. Prior to our involvement, in October 2022 the Social Security Administration terminated his Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits, which he had been receiving since 2019, because it concluded that his condition had improved since he was originally found disabled. To the contrary, Dennis still struggled daily with his severe disabilities and his condition had only worsened since 2019. Accordingly, when he contacted our office in January 2024, we in the Public Benefits Unit (PBU) offered him full-scope representation for his appeal.
Following a 6-month period of case development and research, we represented Dennis at his Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing on July 18, 2024. Following the hearing, PBU objected to the unfavorable hearing testimony of the court-appointed vocational expert and requested a supplemental hearing. Our argument that the vocational expert's testimony was inconsistent with the medical evidence of record was successful. As a result, the ALJ granted a supplemental hearing, which took place on June 5, 2025.
On June 13, 2025, the ALJ issued a fully favorable 14-page decision, agreeing with our argument that the claimant had continued to be disabled and was entitled to monthly benefits throughout the course of his appeal, and will receive ongoing monthly benefits going forward.
Due to PBU's zealous advocacy, Dennis was entitled to $40,046 in SSI benefits during the appeals process and will continue to receive monthly benefits in the amount of $1,311 going forward.
The Public Benefits Unit advocates on this case were staff paralegal Alton Donatto (primary), staff paralegal Emy Vergel de Dios, and interim supervising attorney Sarah Mays.
