Recent News

July 30, 2010

Social Security Disability Committee Making Big Plans

~ written by Julie Hall and Ken Karlock, SSD Committee Co-Chairs

The Columbus Bar has approved a one-year pilot for a Social Security Disability Committee, with goals of providing experienced SSD practitioners a forum for the exchange of news and information, and facilitating communication between the SSD bar and the Agency.

Monthly noon meetings will feature a speaker and allow time for roundtable discussion on the first Friday of each month beginning October 1. For the month of September, the group is planning an after-hours event, extending an invitation to local Administrative Law Judges and other representatives from ODAR.

The first formal committee meeting will be held at the Columbus Bar, noon on October 1, with Hearing Office Director Dorothy Beehner providing hearing office updates.

In addition to monthly meetings, the group will maintain a listserv for members and will be working in conjunction with the area director’s office to organize a Social Security Disability CLE program later this year.

To join the committee, visit the committee website or contact donna@cbalaw.org. For additional information, contact a committee co-chair, Julie Hall, julie@hgclaw.com or Ken Karlock, kkarlock@karlocklaw.com.

Through September, SSA will be conducting limited in-person registration for eFolder Access, which allows attorneys to access their clients’ electronic folders at the hearing level. If you are interested in attending one of the following registration events, send an email to odar.hq.arss@ssa.gov. Your email must contain your name, address, phone number, and the event location at which you wish to enroll. The email subject line should include your preferred event location and the phrase “eFolder Access.” Enrollment is limited.

Event date, location and deadline for registration are August 19, Philadelphia PA, (deadline August 2); August 25, Dallas TX, (deadline August 9); and September 9, Atlanta GA (deadline August 23).

We were recently informed that a registration event in Central Ohio is not likely to occur anytime soon. For additional information, please contact a co-chair, Julie Hall or Ken Karlock.

This summer SSA is offering free in-person training on iClaim, iAppeal , Internet Disability Report (IDR), and ERE to practitioners and their staff. The training sessions will take place at your office and will last from a few hours to a full day. If you are interested in scheduling a session, contact Patti Davis Soto at 274.9208, ext. 216.