When Social Security Says No
This article originally appeared in the Spondylitis Association of America’s Spondylitis Plus magazine (Spring 2026 edition). Although Attorney Richard I. Feingold discussed denials in the context of ankylosing spondylitis, the issues discussed apply to Social Security disability claims involving a wide range of conditions and impairments. The challenges addressed, such as navigating denials, understanding the […]
The Rush to Unplug: Stress, Trauma, and the Meaning of Disability
The Rush to Unplug In the Wall Street Journal this weekend, January 10 and 11, I read an article called “The Rush to Unplug.” It described something many people recognize immediately. A sense of being overwhelmed. Always reachable. Always behind. For many people, that feeling shows up in ordinary ways. Email that never quite gets […]
The 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment
2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) As you probably already heard, the Social Security Administration announced its 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), bringing changes that will affect millions of retirees, disabled workers, and SSI recipients nationwide. With inflation continuing to influence daily expenses, the 2026 COLA increase of 2.8 percent aims to help beneficiaries maintain their purchasing power […]
Why Protecting HUD Housing Grants Matters for People with Disabilities
I’ve been receiving policy updates from Justice in Aging, a national organization focused on fighting poverty and instability among low-income older adults. Their work often touches on issues that also affect people with disabilities, including housing stability and access to public benefits. One issue that stood out recently is a letter from a bipartisan coalition […]
Artificial Intelligence, Ethics, and the Future of Disability Law at the ISBA Mid-Year Meeting
Really enjoyed attending the Illinois State Bar Association’s Joint Mid-Year Meeting (December 11–12, 2025), held in conjunction with the 54th Annual Convention of the Illinois Judges Association, at the JW Marriott Chicago Hotel in downtown Chicago. It was especially gratifying to see how several of my classmates from Loyola University Chicago School of Law have […]
Understanding Recent Changes in the Social Security Administration
SSA in Transition: What Claimants Should Know Now Over the course of 2025, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has undergone sweeping organizational changes. These changes were purportedly intended to modernize operations and reduce costs, but the transition has come with service disruptions, staffing challenges, and a more complex environment for those relying on SSA programs. […]
Experience and Persistence: The Real Keys to Success in Disability Law
It’s not a startup, but 114-year-old IBM is leading the race for quantum computing. Drawing on deep knowledge of computing and milestones like Watson, the AI that once beat human champions on the TV game show Jeopardy!, IBM shows how persistence and experience drive breakthroughs. A recent Wall Street Journal Future of Everything newsletter highlighted […]
Aging, Disability, and the Social Security Connection
The Wall Street Journal’s Future of Everything newsletter recently shared reactions to an “age-simulation suit” that lets you feel what it’s like to be 82 — restricted movement, dimmed vision, reduced hearing. Some readers praised it as an empathy tool. Others criticized it for exaggerating aging by lumping every possible impairment together. That discussion got […]
My Key Takeaways from NOSSCR National Conference 2025
September 9, 2025 I’m here at the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR) national conference this week in beautiful San Diego, California. We’ve already heard from the new Commissioner of Social Security, Frank Bisignano, who shared his perspective on the future of the agency. The sessions so far have been incredibly valuable, covering […]