The Persistent Fight for a Child’s Disability Benefits

Some Social Security cases require twice the fight, and this was one of them.

My client had been struggling for years with developmental disabilities, intellectual impairments, and severe mental health conditions. She applied for disability benefits as a teenager, but her claim was denied at every level, including at the ALJ hearing.

📌 The challenge? This case involved both child and adult disability standards, meaning the ALJ had to correctly evaluate whether she met or equaled a childhood listing before turning 18, and then apply the adult disability standard after her 18th birthday. The ALJ got it wrong on both counts:

✦ Cherry-picking evidence to downplay the severity of her conditions

✦ Ignoring outdated medical opinions that didn’t reflect her true limitations

✦ Failing to apply the correct legal standards at crucial steps

When the Social Security Administration failed to do its job, we took the case to federal court and focused on the errors: The ALJ’s decision was legally and factually flawed. The errors weren’t minor, they were fundamental.

The court agreed. The case was remanded with instructions, and after years of unnecessary delays, my client was finally found disabled.

This victory is about more than just winning a case. It’s about accountability, holding SSA to its own rules. It’s about advocacy, ensuring individuals with developmental disabilities aren’t dismissed because of a flawed process. And it’s about justice, because no one should have to fight this hard for the benefits they deserve.

Federal court work isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s necessary. This is why we fight.

Got any questions? Schedule a consultation with us. I’m here to help. It’s a lot to take in, but we’ll get through it together. After all, navigating these waters is always easier when you’ve got someone to chat with.