In September of 2001, right after 9/11, I started working in a law firm that handles Social Security Disability and began learning the ins and outs of the Social Security programs. I have always loved writing, English, and History so reading hundreds of pages of medical records was not a task, but something I found I enjoyed even if I didn’t readily understand the terminology. As time went on, one of the most enjoyable aspects of this work was when we won the clients’ disability claim and we got to see the relief on their faces and hear the joy in their voices.
In March of 2002, I attended a conference in Atlanta with NOSSCR (National Organization of Social Security Representatives). At this conference, I started chatting with a lady who was a Non-Attorney Representative and had her own firm helping people win their disability claims. I had never heard of this position, but she was eager to answer all my questions regarding the work she was doing. That night, I tucked away in my back pocket the idea that I could do the same one day.
I kept on working in the Social Security Disability field for 8 more years assisting many clients, including neighbors, friends, relatives, and members of the community in pursuing their disability benefits. I began in the field by assisting the attorneys that worked in the firm with file development, claimant communications, and hearing file preparation. Along the way I researched and learned the laws and regulations which applied in various cases. This led me to have the opportunity to work closer in cases and develop brief writing skills, file management, and have a vested interest in the claims I took part in.
On February 27, 2010, Congress enacted The Social Security Disability Applicants’ Access to Professional Representation Act of 2010 (PRA), Public Law No. 111-142. In order to be a qualified Non-Attorney Representative the act requires that an applicant have qualifications and pass a written exam that the Social Security Administration (SSA) writes and administers which tests the knowledge of the relevant provisions of the Act and the most recent developments in SSA and court decisions affecting Titles II and XVI of the Act. I began working towards this goal. I was absorbing knowledge from the Administrative Law Judges when they would call. I also spent time with Attorney Advisors at the Social Security Administration working on cases and getting claims granted without the need for a hearing. Again, those procedures have been long in the past and it is rare that anyone from the hearing office even calls you now a days, unless something is wrong. Nonetheless, all of this was information I was eager to learn, and I soaked up every Listing, Rule, Regulation, POMS, HALLEX that they were willing to throw at me. Many of those Attorneys I worked with 15 years or more ago are now Administrative Law Judges all over the South.
In May of 2016, I took the Direct Payment Non-Attorney Representative examination given by the Social Security Administration. This then enabled me to not only continue working with the claimants and attorneys here at Gardberg & Kemmerly, P.C., but to also be able to go before the Social Security Administration as a representative myself. This past week I attended a conference in New Mexico with a different organization, NADR (National Association of Disability Representatives), and learned along side many other Non-Attorney Representatives and Attorneys. This is an ever-changing world we face in the realm of Social Security Disability, and it is imperative that we know and try to understand as much as possible to benefit those we represent.
The Attorneys and Representative here work hard for our clients and we are always learning and working towards the best way to give you the best representation. Almost 24 years ago, I started in this field, and it has been so rewarding to help the disabled. If you are disabled, call the law firm of Gardberg & Kemmerly, P.C. today at 251-343-1111 for a free consultation. I would love to assist you in pursuing your claim. Gardberg & Kemmerly focuses on helping the injured and disabled.