Allan A. Bonney
Attorney at Law

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Preparing to Win SSA/SSI  Adult Claims Tape/CD

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The following describes the nature of my practice of:

   Social Security Disability Law
   Supplemental Security Income Law
   Interest in Mediation

I have practiced Social Security Disability Law since opening my law practice in September 1986.  It is principally an administrative practice before Administrative Law Judges employed by the Social Security Administration, without opposing counsel.

Representation of Social Security claimants requires meeting and assisting potential clients to understand the claims process and the requirements for proving their disability claims.  Several Social Security forms are usually completed.  I evaluate each case for strengths and weaknesses. 

Most claimants are physically and/or mentally impaired due to job injuries or accidents or other causes.  All successful claimants must show that they cannot do any work due to their severe disabling conditions. 

Representation of Claimants often requires writing for records from doctors, setting up consultative examinations, legal research, and drafting letter briefs in many cases.  Representation also usually requires attending a hearing before an ALJ, mentioned above, eliciting direct testimony from claimants and cross-examining government expert witnesses, called by the Judge. 

Attorney fees in SSA matters must be approved by the Social Security Administration.  Attorney fees are usually contingent upon a Claimant receiving past-due benefits and are usually 25% of those past-due benefits or $5,300 (or other amount decided upon by the Commissioner of Social Security or through legislation), whichever is less, according to the Social Security Act, as amended.

Railroad Retirement Board Annuitant Appeals representation is similar to SSA Claimant representation because the RRB has adopted many of the Social Security Administration's criteria for determining disability. 

I am an active and sustaining member of NOSSCR, the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives. I subscribe to "Social Security Advisory Services," published and updated quarterly. I consult Social Security Regulations and West's Social Security Claims and Procedures. On occasion, I represent clients in U.S. District Court on appeals of denied claims.

Having represented an individual on a Medicare Claim a few years ago, I recently renewed my interest in Medicare Law, limiting my practice to matters of claims by providers.

I have:

   also received more than 130 hours of training as a Mediator during the past 20 years.

   received training as volunteer Peer Mediator Coach for Spokane Public School District No. 81. 

   written and produced a 58-minute audiocassette for Disputants who are considering or planning for mediation as a method of Dispute Resolution. Mediation Tape

   written and produced a 28-minute audiocassette for Social Security Disability & SSI Disability Claims: Preparing to Win Adult Claims Adult Claims Tape/CD

   I am a member of the Washington State Bar Association, Alternative Dispute Resolution Section. 

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*  Preparing to Win SSA/SSI Adult Claims ( Tape/CD)  *