A success story from the Economic Maintenance Unit

Mary (fictitious name) contacted CLA SoCal in June 2020 after receiving a notice of denial for her Social Security Disability Benefits application.  She was gainfully employed as a customer service representative until December 2017 when she was forced to quit her job because of the debilitating symptoms and effects she was experiencing caused by PTSD and severe depression.

Assessing the case

In his initial telephone interview with her, Economic Maintenance Unit paralegal Alton Donatto learned she was erroneously told she could not appeal the denial of benefits unless she found legal representation. Since time was of the essence, he guided her, over the phone, as she accessed the Social Security website to download the Request for Reconsideration and then walked her through completing the paperwork so she could submit it ahead of the deadline.

Alton reviewed her current medical records and learned she was undergoing extensive treatment at a local mental health facility for multiple psychological disorders and was being evaluated for electrical convulsive therapy, which would leave her virtually helpless for 30 days after each treatment. Mary also provided Alton with records from a prior treating facility, in another state, which verified treatment for insomnia, stress, major depressive disorder, ADHD, and anxiety. Both her current and prior records showed attempts at suicide.

Moving it forward

In September 2020, the Disability Determination Service (DDS) acknowledged Mary’s Request for Reconsideration and she named Alton as her representative. He immediately contacted the DDS agent and informed her that additional medical records critical to Mary’s appeal had been obtained, including a medical source statement from her current treating psychologist.

Three months later, in December, Mary received a notice stating DDS had scheduled a consultive examination for the following month (January 2021).  In preparation for the examination, Alton advised her to make sure the examiner had reviewed her recent medical records, as well as the earlier records from the out of state facility, as they would be critical in determining her appeal.

A critical development

Meanwhile, a new development occurred—Mary was hospitalized for suicide ideation. Alton contacted and advised the DDS agent of the latest hospitalization, which would be added to her medical records. He forwarded the source statement from the treating psychologist with a written request for a finding of disability based on the records.

The final award

It took a few months but in April 2021 Mary finally received a Notice of Award.  The notice stated she would receive $1,190 per month in disability benefits with an onset date of January 2020 and retroactive benefits in the amount of $17,685.

The award was not only a successful outcome but a critical positive boost for Mary. She expressed her gratitude to Alton, stating to him it would have been impossible for her to have achieved a successful outcome on her own. His thorough knowledge of the appeal process, his advice and guidance, and his dedication to her case made the difference.