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Ortiz Law Firm | National Disability Law Firm
Ortiz Law Firm is dedicated to helping people recover the disability benefits they deserve. We handle group Long Term Disability (LTD) claims, individual disability insurance policy claims, ERISA disability claims, and Social Security Disability claims.
Having years of medical records feels like a strong foundation for a disability claim—but older documentation alone rarely wins a case. The Social Security Administration cares far more about what your condition looks like right now and whether you have been consistently receiving care throughout. What Medical Records Does the SSA Actually Want to See? …
If you’ve applied for Social Security Disability benefits and received a notice scheduling you for a consultative examination (CE), you may have been surprised to find that the exam doesn’t match your primary condition. Claimants with severe back pain get sent to a mental health evaluator. People whose main struggle is depression or anxiety get …
When a long-term disability (LTD) insurance company gathers new evidence against your claim while reviewing your appeal, you do not have to find out about it in a denial letter. A 2018 Department of Labor rule gives claimants the right to see that evidence first—and to respond to it before the insurer makes its decision. …
If you’re filing a long-term disability (LTD) claim for depression, anxiety, PTSD, or another mental health condition, you may have heard that these claims are harder to win than physical ones. The reality is more nuanced — and more hopeful — than that common assumption suggests. The 24-Month Rule You Need to Know Before diving …
When you apply for or receive Social Security disability benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) must decide how those benefits will be paid. In some cases, the SSA determines that a beneficiary should not receive payments directly and instead appoints a representative payee. A representative payee is a person or organization chosen by the SSA …
Waiting on a Social Security Disability claim can feel endless — and for good reason. The process is genuinely slow. According to the SSA’s fiscal year (FY) 2024 report, applicants waited an average of 231 days just for their initial determination nationwide. From there, reconsideration typically takes around 2–6 months, and ALJ hearing waits stretch …
You’ve told your doctors you’re in pain. You’ve explained the fatigue is overwhelming. But when it comes to your disability claim, is that enough? For thousands of people who get denied, the surprising answer is no. The key isn’t just proving you have a medical condition; it’s showing exactly how that condition limits you, day …
If you have a Social Security Disability hearing scheduled, your Administrative Law Judge’s (ALJ) grant rate is one of the most important numbers you can look up before you walk into that hearing room. Understanding what those percentages actually mean can help you set realistic expectations and prepare your case accordingly. What Does an ALJ’s …
If your long-term disability (LTD) claim has been denied, you may be facing another problem you didn’t expect: your life insurance waiver of premium claim may be denied too. These two benefits are often closely connected. When an insurance company decides you are not disabled under your LTD policy, it will often use that same …
When New York Life terminated our client’s long-term disability (LTD) benefits at the “any occupation” stage, the decision was based on paper reviews that ignored the full picture of her medical condition. We filed a comprehensive ERISA appeal — and New York Life reversed course entirely, reinstating her benefits without a single day in court. …
Receiving a long-term disability denial based on a “pre-existing condition” can feel frustrating and unfair. Many claimants are shocked to learn that their insurance company is refusing benefits based on medical treatment that occurred months, or even years, before they stopped working. If your long-term disability (LTD) claim was denied because of a pre-existing condition, …
Disability loan discharge lets people who can’t work because of a disability have their student loans canceled. This is important for those whose health issues make it hard to get a job. It can apply to both federal and private student loans, but the rules and who qualifies can be different for each type. Knowing …
The Social Security Administration (SSA) releases workload data every year showing how many disability claims were decided at each stage of the process — and how many were approved or denied. The FY 2025 figures reveal a stark reality: most applicants are turned down initially, but the process does not end there. Understanding where approvals …
At Ortiz Law Firm, we recently helped a client secure the reinstatement of her long-term disability (LTD) benefits after Unum wrongfully terminated her claim. Through a strategic and comprehensive appeal, we were able to achieve a full reversal in less than 45 days. Background of the Claim Our client was initially approved for long-term disability …
You paid your disability insurance premiums faithfully. You trusted that you would be protected if you ever became too sick or injured to work. So when the denial letter from Lincoln Financial arrives, it can feel like a profound betrayal. In reality, the reason for the denial is rarely personal. Disability insurance companies operate under …
Navigating the Social Security Disability process can feel overwhelming, especially when a medical condition prevents you from working. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides financial support to individuals who can no longer maintain substantial employment due to a qualifying disability, but approval requires meeting strict criteria set by the Social Security Administration (SSA). To qualify, …
Getting out of bed can feel like a physical feat. Focusing on a simple work email feels impossible. If your depression has made your job unsustainable, you’re likely asking if qualifying for disability with depression is an option. The answer is yes, but a successful claim doesn’t start with a call to HR; it starts …
Many applicants for Social Security Disability believe that earning a single paycheck will instantly destroy their chances of approval. Contrary to this popular fear, the administration actually offers a safety net known officially as an Unsuccessful Work Attempt (UWA). This rule acknowledges that trying to return to the workforce is often a test of your …
Navigating the world of long-term disability (LTD) benefits can feel overwhelming, especially when you are already dealing with a serious medical condition. If your symptoms are preventing you from working, understanding how to get long-term disability benefits is essential to protecting your income and financial stability. Long-term disability benefits are designed to replace a portion …
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced a major operational change that could affect how disability benefits are reviewed and how quickly new claims are processed. Whether you are applying for benefits or already receiving them, this update is more than just an internal policy change. It could directly affect how your case is handled. …
If you previously received Social Security Disability benefits and later returned to work, the 5-year waiting period rule plays an important role in whether you can restart your benefits without filing a brand-new application. This rule applies through a process called Expedited Reinstatement (EXR). Many claimants mistakenly assume that they must start the entire process …
In general, Social Security Disability benefits continue as long as a person remains disabled. However, under Social Security law, all disability cases must be reviewed from time to time to make sure that people receiving benefits continue to meet the disability requirements. Benefits continue unless there is strong proof that a person’s impairment has medically …
Fixing errors in your medical records is important—especially if you’re applying for long-term disability (LTD) or Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits. Both insurance companies and the Social Security Administration (SSA) rely heavily on your medical records to make decisions. Even small mistakes—like an incorrect diagnosis or missing test results—can impact your claim. Here’s how to …
Medicare. Medicaid. They sound so similar it’s easy to mix them up. Both programs are important for health, but they serve different needs. Clearing up this common confusion is the first step to knowing where you or a loved one might turn for help. Remember this simple distinction: Medicare is primarily for providing care to …
