Business Details
34 Years
experience
Trusted Social Security Disability Representation in Albuquerque
As an Albuquerque-based disability law practice, we have dedicated our work exclusively to Social Security disability and SSI cases since 1992. Our team of nine experienced legal assistants and I bring decades of combined expertise in navigating the complexities of disability claims, supported by my academic background in political science, social work, and law from the University of New Mexico and New Mexico State University. We prioritize personalized attention, ensuring each client receives tailored guidance through every stage of the process, from initial applications to administrative law judge hearings. Our practice extends statewide, with a commitment to accessibility through bilingual services in Spanish.By maintaining active membership in the National Organization of Social Security Claims Representatives, we stay at the forefront of regulatory developments to better serve our clients. Our approach combines thorough preparation, evidence-based advocacy, and direct representation at hearings to maximize claim success rates. We emphasize transparency in communication and timeliness in filing appeals, recognizing the critical importance of these factors in disability determinations. Our track record demonstrates that claimants represented by experienced counsel like ours achieve significantly higher approval rates compared to unrepresented applicants.
Services
Social Security Disability Claims
SSI Applications
Disability Appeals
Children's SSI Cases
Medical Documentation Review
Details
- Year established: 1992
Highlights and features
- We offer 30+ years of exclusive focus on Social Security disability and SSI cases
- Our team includes nine experienced legal assistants with disability process expertise
- We provide personalized case preparation for administrative law judge hearings
- We maintain active NOSSCR membership for regulatory compliance and professional development
- We offer bilingual services in English and Spanish for client accessibility
Associations and certifications
- National Organization of Social Security Claims Representatives (NOSSCR)
Services
Social Security Disability Claims
We specialize in representing clients seeking Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Our process begins with comprehensive case evaluations to determine eligibility based on severe physical or mental impairments lasting 12+ months. We assist with gathering medical documentation, completing complex forms, and ensuring timely submissions to the Social Security Administration. Our expertise extends to handling cases involving back injuries, arthritis, diabetes, and other qualifying conditions that prevent substantial gainful activity.
SSI Applications
We guide clients through Supplemental Security Income (SSI) applications for low-income individuals with disabilities. Our services include assessing financial eligibility alongside medical requirements, preparing documentation for children's SSI cases, and addressing functional equivalence evaluations when impairments don't meet listing criteria. We work with families to demonstrate how disabilities create marked limitations in daily living activities across six key domains required by Social Security regulations.
Disability Appeals
We handle all levels of disability claim appeals, starting with reconsideration requests and progressing to administrative law judge hearings. Our approach includes developing medical evidence to counter denials based on insufficient imaging correlation or range-of-motion tests. We prepare clients for testimony, coordinate expert witnesses, and submit written arguments demonstrating how residual functional capacity limitations prevent gainful employment despite initial denials.
Children's SSI Cases
We represent families seeking SSI benefits for children under 18 with severe impairments. Our services include documenting medically determinable conditions through acceptable sources like pediatricians and psychologists, preparing functional equivalence assessments across six developmental domains, and gathering evidence from teachers and caregivers. We specialize in demonstrating how physical or mental impairments create marked limitations in acquiring information, social interaction, and daily living activities required by Social Security guidelines.
Medical Documentation Review
We help clients strengthen their claims through comprehensive medical documentation strategies. This includes obtaining physician reports that correlate symptoms with diagnoses, addressing gaps in treatment records, and developing evidence of emotional overlays that exacerbate physical conditions. Our team ensures all documentation meets Social Security's strict requirements for proving functional limitations through objective medical evidence and physician-confirmed restrictions.
People
Michelle Baca
Attorney at Law
Michelle Baca has specialized in Social Security disability and SSI cases since 1992. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science, a Bachelor of Social Work, and a Juris Doctorate from the University of New Mexico. As a sustaining NOSSCR member, she provides bilingual legal representation across New Mexico.
Questions
Should I apply for disability benefits?
If you have a severe impairment preventing work for 12+ months, consult our criteria matching Social Security's requirements for substantial gainful activity limitations and medical documentation standards.
When should I apply for disability benefits?
Apply 6-9 months after stopping work unless facing an obvious long-term disability, allowing sufficient time to document ongoing impairment severity.
What does a disability lawyer do?
We analyze required evidence, gather medical documentation, prepare hearing testimony, cross-examine experts, and ensure proper benefit calculations following Social Security regulations and procedural requirements.
How long does a disability hearing take?
Hearings typically occur 12-24 months after request, with decisions issued within 30-60 days following the private conference room proceedings lasting approximately one hour.
What if I miss the appeal deadline?
Failing to appeal within 65 days requires restarting the process, potentially losing retroactive benefits. Contact us immediately to explore options for late filings.
What's the biggest disability application mistake?
Failing to appeal denials to the administrative law judge level where over 50% of cases receive favorable decisions through proper evidence presentation and legal argumentation.
