Social Security Law Group Files Class Action Lawsuit Against the SSA

Submitted by Chris on

The Social Security Law Group, LLP, is a Boston-based law firm that assists clients in the application process for SSI or SSDI benefits from the Social Security Administration. Their decision this March to file a class action lawsuit against the Social Security Administration is based on their growing frustration with what they claim is the SSA’s violation of two key acts – the Freedom of Information Act, and the 1974 Privacy Act.

The Social Security Law Group insists that in spite of their attempts to work with the often contradictory requirements and regulations the SSA imposes on clients that are applying for benefits, the SSA consistently acts apart from their own official policies of disclosing records, and in a greater sense, violates the law.

The Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act provide for a client’s right to review and be aware of all personal records in government, health, and other organizations’ databases; in this case, medical and other records that may sway the SSA in their determination of benefits for a particular applicant.

The medical, work, and other personal records the SSA gathers to decide whether to award benefits to each particular case are extremely important and in many cases, minor errors can make or break a decision. The SSA turns away a large percentage of disability benefits applicants every year, even those who enlist the help of disability lawyers like those who work for the Boston firm. Claimants have the right to appeal a negative determination, but the process is both lengthy and costly, and unless new information is presented, may still not result in a payout.

The Social Security Law Group’s class action law suit seeks to protect their clients from being unlawfully discriminated against and given inaccurate determinations because of the SSA withholding important information. This is not a phenomenon isolated to one particular state, either. Many other states such as New York are seeing an increase of class action suits against the SSA, and if the trend continues, the issue will reach its boiling point.

In the long court days to come it will become apparent whether the SSA will be found guilty of violating the information laws and be required to amend its inconsistent actions, or whether lawyers like those in the Boston firm will have to ‘”take up the cause” of the poor, disabled, and uninsured that much more zealously.

Blog comments

raymond eli (not verified)

i am having issue with a

i am having issue with a albany oregon worker who keeps lying to me and about and this lying ho is handling my medical review.need advice because i know they are planning to take my ssi benefits from me.

Mon, 03/28/2016 - 17:27 Permalink
Carl Hastings (not verified)

When are you going to file a

When are you going to file a lawsuit about the underpayments due to the false cost of living increase statistics? The actual cost of living increase is about 10% per year, and they have the nerve to say it is only 0.3 percent! This is outright fraud against millions of senior citizens. This has been going on for years.

Thu, 01/12/2017 - 21:54 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Carl Hastings (not verified)

Hi Carl,

Hi Carl,
We do not plan to participate in any legal action against the SSA at this time.

Mon, 01/16/2017 - 12:45 Permalink
Dorothy Roberts (not verified)

In reply to by Carl Hastings (not verified)

Social security has been

Social security has been taking my entire check for the last 8 years. Not giving me 1cent to live on. I need help

Fri, 11/03/2017 - 10:43 Permalink
Deanna

In reply to by Dorothy Roberts (not verified)

Hi Dorothy,

Hi Dorothy,
If you're disabled and need help, you could always fill out our Free Disability Evaluation.

Mon, 11/06/2017 - 11:09 Permalink
Tomasena rivers (not verified)

I do not know how to contact

I do not know how to contact you yet I need someone to help me stand up to the ssi.
I am not enough. They just suddenly sent me to a doctor I got there 20 minutes early due to my phobia talk for ten minutes or so left ,
Then I started getting letters saying the report came back insufficient information. So they just took away my payments with no reason not even to require that I revauate due to not enough information. My life has grown scared nothing has changed I'm freaking out

Sat, 08/12/2017 - 16:33 Permalink
Tomasena (not verified)

Received ssi latter found out

Received ssi latter found out that I may be entitled to child benefit. Ssi dubbed and said they sent a letter say they where with holding 24,000 because I could have been getting child benefit I suffer from sever bipolar. My mom searched out truly what they are say to me is a violation of this privacy act FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT. MY SSI WAS SUPPOSED TO BE $0 IT WAS NOT THERE FOR I FEEL BULLIED MISTREADED DISCRIMINATED. THERE DOCTOR MISTREADED ME SHE SEEMED TO BE LAUGHING AT THE SITE OF MY DISABILITY.
WITH NO CHOICE DUE TO THIS U LOVED IN PROVERDY IN A apartment where people where on drugs and my home broken into every other week. My entire back pay went to the only car i was able to afford the transmission went $1000 then started the worst thing that happened the steering wheel broke I almost died 50 mph into a electric power pole those benefits would of provided a daft reliable car ,even a safer affordable home for my daughter.

Sat, 08/12/2017 - 16:54 Permalink
Helen (not verified)

Im disable brain trauma. It

Im disable brain trauma. It is hard for me to take care of myself. It can be overwhelming at times. My son benefit SSI were cut.Maybe because claimed on my income tax. I have medical problems can not afford my meds. My meal consist of lettuce and tomato. I responsible to pay repair to my home pest water utilities ADt. Medicare stole 1200 from income tax. For prexisting medical problems. I have injuries at age of 7, a boy push off the monkey bar. Plus work and other injuries. My spine is damage can not get proper care for back. it is overwhelming or me.. Plus they know I have brain trauma so I can not fight for civil right. I'm Diebetic can not afford my meds.

Tue, 11/14/2017 - 16:04 Permalink
Jill Miller (not verified)

I have moved to South

I have moved to South Carolina from Alabama after fighting for 6 1/2 years to get my disability. The last judge approved SSI only. I have medical documentation proving I meet the listing for C.O.P.D. dating back to 2009 two years prior to my quitting working because I was too sick. Is there any Class Action Lawsuits for Discrimination in Retaliation for Complaints open and if so how would I get myself included? Original complaint was about my own attorneys and I was told I could remove them without it affecting the Judges decision and he then sent his decision back to be retyped because he didn't like the wording after almost 6 months and he then made false statements when he denied my case.

Fri, 12/22/2017 - 11:14 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Jill Miller (not verified)

Hi Jill,

Hi Jill,
I really could not say! There may be, however we do not have information about such a class action lawsuit here.

Tue, 12/26/2017 - 12:20 Permalink
Joseph Irick jr (not verified)

I have c.o.p.d.in lung cancer

I have c.o.p.d.in lung cancer

Tue, 12/18/2018 - 20:20 Permalink

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