Where to Begin… – NOSSCR 2026 Fall National Conference – Track II (Presented by National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives)

Every Practice Starts Somewhere. This Session Is the Somewhere

Social Security disability practice greets a beginner with an alphabet of its own — terminology, agencies, and a process with rules at every stage. This session is directed at exactly that beginner: the representative not yet familiar with SSA terminology or the resources available for research and help.

The session builds in three moves. First, familiarize yourself with SSA disability and the process — the foundation everything else sits on. Second, learn to get creative to build a case, because the file rarely arrives ready-made. Third, learn to deal with the people the practice runs through: clients, DDS, SSA, ALJs, and VEs, each requiring its own approach.

You walk out oriented: the terminology and resources mapped, a creative approach to case-building started, and a working sense of how to handle every party across the process.

Eligible for up to 1 CLE Credit Hour

This session was originally submitted for CLE as a live, in-person presentation and a live webcast for the 2026 Fall National Conference and may be eligible for self-study credit. Each state handles self-study credit differently; for questions, please consult your State Bar Association.

Recorded Tuesday, October 13, 2026.

Key topics to be discussed:

• SSA Terminology
  Getting familiar with the vocabulary the practice runs on.
• Resources for Research and Help
  Where a beginner turns for answers.
• The Disability Process
  Familiarizing yourself with SSA disability and how the process moves.
• Building a Case Creatively
  How to get creative to build a case.
• Dealing with Clients
  Working with the client at the center of the claim.
• DDS, SSA, ALJs, and VEs
  How to deal with each of the players across the process.

This course is co-sponsored with myLawCLE.

Date / Time: October 13, 2026

• 11:00 am – 12:00 pm Eastern
• 10:00 am – 11:00 am Central
• 9:00 am – 10:00 am Mountain
• 8:00 am – 9:00 am Pacific

Closed-captioning available