Winning Isn't Easy: Social Security ®

Nancy Cavey
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Nancy L. Cavey, a seasoned attorney with over forty years of experience, explains the complex world of filing for Social Security Disability benefits. Filing for disability can be a confusing, life changing event, so with her deft expertise, Nancy will guide you through:- The ins-and-outs of qualifying for Social Security Disability benefits (such as age and insurance requirements).- Information regarding the process and lifespan of a claim, from the initial application to the request for hearing stages.- Traps one can fall into while navigating the Social Security Administration's step-by-step Sequential Evaluation.- Insights, overviews, and claimant stories regarding disease-specific content (ranging from commonplace ailments such as workplace injuries or accidents, to difficult to diagnose illnesses such as fibromyalgia, multiple Sclerosis, and POTS).- Pertinent news happening in the disability world, and- Much, much more.Each episode of our podcast Winning Isn't Easy: Social Security ® will expose you to invaluable tips and tricks for surviving the disability claims process (a system that is often wrought with pressures and pitfalls designed to encourage you to give up the benefits you rightfully deserve). As the host, Nancy will often be joined by guest speakers who themselves are industry experts, ranging from lawyers specializing in related fields and doctors focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of specific diseases, to our associate attorney Krysti Monaco.In her late teens, Nancy's father was diagnosed with leukemia. As someone who witnessed firsthand the devastating emotional and financial impact on both individual and family that being disabled and filing for benefits can have, Nancy is not just an attorney, but an empathetic presence who understands what you are going through.Do not let disability insurance carriers rob you of your peace of mind. As a nationwide practice, The Law Office of Nancy L. Cavey may be able to help you get the disability benefits you deserve, regardless of where in the United States you reside. Remember - let Cavey Law be the bridge to your benefits.Check out the links below to engage with us elsewhere:Website - https://caveylaw.com/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/CaveyLaw

  1. 6d ago

    Win, Lose, or Appeal: Understanding Social Security Disability Claims

    Have a comment or question? Click this sentence to send us a message, and we might answer it in a future episode. Welcome to Season 2, Episode 32 of Winning Isn't Easy: Social Security ®. In this episode, we'll dive into Win, Lose, or Appeal: Understanding Social Security Disability Claims. Winning a Social Security Disability claim isn’t always the end of the journey, and a denial doesn’t always mean it’s over. In this episode of Winning Isn’t Easy, attorney Krysti Monaco breaks down the different paths an SSD claim can take, from winning the initial case to challenging a denial on appeal and, when necessary, taking the fight to federal court. She examines the six critical elements that can make or break a disability claim, what attorneys look for when reviewing an unfavorable decision, and how legal errors can create grounds for an appeal. This episode explores what happens when a case moves beyond the administrative process and into federal court, where the focus shifts to whether the law was properly applied and whether a denial should be reversed or remanded. Whether you’re considering filing for benefits, facing a denial, or already navigating the appeals process, this episode offers a roadmap of what to expect, what can go wrong, and how a case can potentially be revived at every stage. In this episode, we'll cover the following topics: One - What Are the Six Things That Make a Winning Social Security Disability Case? Two - So, You’ve Lost Your Social Security Disability Case and Are Appealing. How Do the Appeals Council And / Or the Federal District Court Decide to Reverse a Decision Denying Social Security? Three - What Are the Big Issues for a Federal Judge and a Social Security Disability Feel That Can Result in a Reversal or Remand of Your Denied Social Security Claim? Whether you're a claimant, or simply seeking valuable insights into the disability claims landscape, this episode provides essential guidance to help you succeed in your journey. Don't miss it. Listen to Our Sister Podcast: We have a sister podcast - Winning Isn't Easy: Long-Term Disability ®. Give it a listen: https://wiedisabilitypodcast.buzzsprout.com Resources Mentioned In This Episode: LINK TO YOUR RIGHTS TO SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY: https://mailchi.mp/caveylaw/your-rights-to-social-security-disability-benefits FREE CONSULT LINK: https://caveylaw.com/contact-us/ Need Help Today?: Need help with your Social Security Disability claim? Have questions? Please feel welcome to reach out to use for a FREE consultation. Just mention you listened to our podcast. Review, like, and give us a thumbs up wherever you are listening to Winning Isn't Easy. We love to see your feedback about our podcast, and it helps us grow and improve. Please remember that the content shared is for informational purposes only, and should not replace personalized legal advice or guidance from qualified professionals.

    Win, Lose, or Appeal: Understanding Social Security Disability Claims

  2. Sep 23

    The Hearing Room - Why You Shouldn’t Go Alone

    Have a comment or question? Click this sentence to send us a message, and we might answer it in a future episode. Welcome to Season 2, Episode 31 of Winning Isn't Easy: Social Security ®. In this episode, we'll dive into The Hearing Room - Why You Shouldn’t Go Alone. Walking into a Social Security Disability hearing and simply “telling your story” can feel like enough, especially when you have years of medical records and a compelling account of your limitations. In this episode of Winning Isn’t Easy, attorney Krysti Monaco examines why the hearing process involves more than explaining how sick or injured you are. She explores the critical role of the vocational expert, how transferable skills can affect a claim, and why understanding the grid rules can make the difference for applicants approaching retirement age. This episode examines how an attorney can challenge vocational testimony, why certain abilities may not qualify as transferable skills, and how cross-examination can expose weaknesses in an expert’s conclusions. This episode offers insight into why the truth alone is not enough at a disability hearing, how legal strategy can translate an applicant’s limitations into the language of Social Security law, and why representation becomes important after repeated denials and before an Administrative Law Judge. In this episode, we'll cover the following topics: One - The Statistics of Success  Two - The Vocational Expert – The "Invisible" Adversary  Three - The "Zero Out-of-Pocket" Myth  Whether you're a claimant, or simply seeking valuable insights into the disability claims landscape, this episode provides essential guidance to help you succeed in your journey. Don't miss it. Listen to Our Sister Podcast: We have a sister podcast - Winning Isn't Easy: Long-Term Disability ®. Give it a listen: https://wiedisabilitypodcast.buzzsprout.com Resources Mentioned In This Episode: LINK TO YOUR RIGHTS TO SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY: https://mailchi.mp/caveylaw/your-rights-to-social-security-disability-benefits FREE CONSULT LINK: https://caveylaw.com/contact-us/ Need Help Today?: Need help with your Social Security Disability claim? Have questions? Please feel welcome to reach out to use for a FREE consultation. Just mention you listened to our podcast. Review, like, and give us a thumbs up wherever you are listening to Winning Isn't Easy. We love to see your feedback about our podcast, and it helps us grow and improve. Please remember that the content shared is for informational purposes only, and should not replace personalized legal advice or guidance from qualified professionals.

    The Hearing Room - Why You Shouldn’t Go Alone

  3. Sep 16

    When Work Doesn’t Work: Understanding UWA and Your Benefits

    Have a comment or question? Click this sentence to send us a message, and we might answer it in a future episode. Welcome to Season 2, Episode 30 of Winning Isn't Easy: Social Security ®. In this episode, we'll dive into When Work Doesn’t Work: Understanding UWA and Your Benefits. Trying to return to work while pursuing Social Security Disability benefits can feel risky, especially for applicants who fear that a failed attempt to work will prove they are capable of holding a job. In this episode of Winning Isn’t Easy, attorney Krysti Monaco examines the Unsuccessful Work Attempt (UWA). She explores why attempting to work does not necessarily undermine a disability claim, how the Social Security Administration evaluates unsuccessful work attempts, and why a short-lived job can actually provide evidence of an applicant’s limitations. This episode examines the specific rules that apply in 2026, what makes an attempt to work qualify as unsuccessful, and how the circumstances surrounding a failed return to work can affect a claim. This episode offers insight into how applicants can document unsuccessful work attempts, why trying and failing to work can strengthen credibility, and how a job that ends after only a few months could ultimately play a role in securing disability benefits and back pay. In this episode, we'll cover the following topics: One - The "6-Month Rule" and the 2026 Numbers  Two - Deep Dive – "Special Conditions" and Subsidies  Three - The "Evidence Hunt" – Documenting the Failure  Whether you're a claimant, or simply seeking valuable insights into the disability claims landscape, this episode provides essential guidance to help you succeed in your journey. Don't miss it. Listen to Our Sister Podcast: We have a sister podcast - Winning Isn't Easy: Long-Term Disability ®. Give it a listen: https://wiedisabilitypodcast.buzzsprout.com Resources Mentioned In This Episode: LINK TO YOUR RIGHTS TO SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY: https://mailchi.mp/caveylaw/your-rights-to-social-security-disability-benefits FREE CONSULT LINK: https://caveylaw.com/contact-us/ Need Help Today?: Need help with your Social Security Disability claim? Have questions? Please feel welcome to reach out to use for a FREE consultation. Just mention you listened to our podcast. Review, like, and give us a thumbs up wherever you are listening to Winning Isn't Easy. We love to see your feedback about our podcast, and it helps us grow and improve. Please remember that the content shared is for informational purposes only, and should not replace personalized legal advice or guidance from qualified professionals.

    When Work Doesn’t Work: Understanding UWA and Your Benefits

  4. Sep 9

    “My Doctor Says I’m Disabled”: Why Your Doctor’s Note Might Be Useless

    Have a comment or question? Click this sentence to send us a message, and we might answer it in a future episode. Welcome to Season 2, Episode 29 of Winning Isn't Easy: Social Security ®. In this episode, we'll dive into “My Doctor Says I’m Disabled”: Why Your Doctor’s Note Might Be Useless. A simple note from a doctor saying “you’re disabled” may seem like strong evidence in a Social Security Disability case, but it can carry far less weight than applicants expect. In this episode of Winning Isn’t Easy, attorney Krysti Monaco examines one of the most common misconceptions in the disability process: the belief that a doctor’s statement that someone cannot work is the golden ticket to benefits. Together, we explore why these notes fail to establish disability, what Social Security actually looks for when evaluating medical opinions, and how a vague statement can leave an otherwise strong claim unsupported. This episode examines what an effective medical opinion should contain and how treating physicians can provide meaningful evidence that connects medical conditions to specific functional limitations. This episode offers insight into how medical evidence is evaluated, why supportive doctors’ notes are not enough, and what can make a medical opinion truly persuasive in a Social Security Disability case. In this episode, we'll cover the following topics: One - The "Ultimate Issue" - A Legal Minefield Two - The Hall of Fame of Useless Notes Three - Building a Better Note - The Language of Function Whether you're a claimant, or simply seeking valuable insights into the disability claims landscape, this episode provides essential guidance to help you succeed in your journey. Don't miss it. Listen to Our Sister Podcast: We have a sister podcast - Winning Isn't Easy: Long-Term Disability ®. Give it a listen: https://wiedisabilitypodcast.buzzsprout.com Resources Mentioned In This Episode: LINK TO YOUR RIGHTS TO SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY: https://mailchi.mp/caveylaw/your-rights-to-social-security-disability-benefits FREE CONSULT LINK: https://caveylaw.com/contact-us/ Need Help Today?: Need help with your Social Security Disability claim? Have questions? Please feel welcome to reach out to use for a FREE consultation. Just mention you listened to our podcast. Review, like, and give us a thumbs up wherever you are listening to Winning Isn't Easy. We love to see your feedback about our podcast, and it helps us grow and improve. Please remember that the content shared is for informational purposes only, and should not replace personalized legal advice or guidance from qualified professionals.

    “My Doctor Says I’m Disabled”: Why Your Doctor’s Note Might Be Useless

  5. Sep 2

    When Communication Breaks Down: The Invisible Side of Disability (With Guest Erica Thomas)

    Have a comment or question? Click this sentence to send us a message, and we might answer it in a future episode. Welcome to Season 2, Episode 28 of Winning Isn't Easy: Social Security ®. In this episode, we'll dive into When Communication Breaks Down: The Invisible Side of Disability (With Guest Erica Thomas). Communication shapes how we work, connect, and navigate the world, but when those abilities are affected by illness or injury, the resulting challenges may not always be immediately visible. In this episode of Winning Isn’t Easy, attorney Nancy Cavey is joined by Erica Thomas, a Speech-Language Pathologist whose work bridges healthcare and law, to examine how communication and cognitive impairments can intersect with disability and the legal system. Together, they discuss what these impairments can look like in everyday life, how they are evaluated in disability cases, and why they are misunderstood or overlooked. This episode offers insight into the challenges that can affect communication, the complexities of assessing them, and the important role these impairments can play when disability claims are evaluated. In this episode, we'll cover the following topics: One - The World of Forensic Speech-Language Pathology and Disability Two - Uncovering Hidden Communication Challenges Three - Navigating Disability Claims and Clearing Up Misconceptions Whether you're a claimant, or simply seeking valuable insights into the disability claims landscape, this episode provides essential guidance to help you succeed in your journey. Don't miss it. Listen to Our Sister Podcast: We have a sister podcast - Winning Isn't Easy: Long-Term Disability ®. Give it a listen: https://wiedisabilitypodcast.buzzsprout.com Resources Mentioned In This Episode: LINK TO YOUR RIGHTS TO SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY: https://mailchi.mp/caveylaw/your-rights-to-social-security-disability-benefits FREE CONSULT LINK: https://caveylaw.com/contact-us/ Need Help Today?: Need help with your Social Security Disability claim? Have questions? Please feel welcome to reach out to use for a FREE consultation. Just mention you listened to our podcast. Review, like, and give us a thumbs up wherever you are listening to Winning Isn't Easy. We love to see your feedback about our podcast, and it helps us grow and improve. Please remember that the content shared is for informational purposes only, and should not replace personalized legal advice or guidance from qualified professionals.

    When Communication Breaks Down: The Invisible Side of Disability (With Guest Erica Thomas)

  6. Jul 29

    Medicare on Disability, Simplified (With Guest Danielle Kunkle Roberts)

    Have a comment or question? Click this sentence to send us a message, and we might answer it in a future episode. Welcome to Season 2, Episode 27 of Winning Isn't Easy: Social Security ®. In this episode, we'll dive into Medicare on Disability, Simplified (With Guest Danielle Kunkle Roberts). For individuals receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), becoming eligible for Medicare is a significant milestone, but it can also introduce new questions and challenges. From understanding the mandatory waiting period to choosing the right coverage options, navigating Medicare while managing a disability can be overwhelming. In this episode of Winning Isn't Easy, attorney Nancy Cavey is joined by Medicare expert and Boomer Benefits co-founder Danielle Kunkle Roberts to explain how Medicare works for people who qualify through disability. Together, they discuss the timeline between SSDI approval and Medicare eligibility, the coverage decisions beneficiaries must make, common misconceptions and costly mistakes, and practical strategies for selecting coverage that best meets their healthcare and financial needs. This episode provides guidance for anyone seeking to better understand Medicare's role in disability planning. In this episode, we'll cover the following topics: One - Where Medicare Enters the Picture  Two - Making Sense of Your Options  Three - Making It All More Manageable  Whether you're a claimant, or simply seeking valuable insights into the disability claims landscape, this episode provides essential guidance to help you succeed in your journey. Don't miss it. Listen to Our Sister Podcast: We have a sister podcast - Winning Isn't Easy: Long-Term Disability ®. Give it a listen: https://wiedisabilitypodcast.buzzsprout.com Resources Mentioned In This Episode: LINK TO YOUR RIGHTS TO SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY: https://mailchi.mp/caveylaw/your-rights-to-social-security-disability-benefits FREE CONSULT LINK: https://caveylaw.com/contact-us/ Need Help Today?: Need help with your Social Security Disability claim? Have questions? Please feel welcome to reach out to use for a FREE consultation. Just mention you listened to our podcast. Review, like, and give us a thumbs up wherever you are listening to Winning Isn't Easy. We love to see your feedback about our podcast, and it helps us grow and improve. Please remember that the content shared is for informational purposes only, and should not replace personalized legal advice or guidance from qualified professionals.

    Medicare on Disability, Simplified (With Guest Danielle Kunkle Roberts)

  7. Jul 22

    Knee Pain and Social Security Disability: What You Need to Know

    Have a comment or question? Click this sentence to send us a message, and we might answer it in a future episode. Welcome to Season 2, Episode 26 of Winning Isn't Easy: Social Security ®. In this episode, we'll dive into Knee Pain and Social Security Disability: What You Need to Know. Chronic knee pain can affect far more than mobility - it can make even routine daily activities difficult and, in some cases, prevent a person from maintaining full-time employment. For individuals pursuing Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits, proving the severity of a knee condition requires more than documenting a diagnosis or prior surgery. In this episode of Winning Isn't Easy, attorney Nancy Cavey explains how chronic knee conditions, including persistent pain following knee replacement surgery, may qualify for SSD benefits. She discusses the medical evidence Social Security looks for, the importance of documenting functional limitations, common reasons knee-related disability claims are denied, and the steps claimants can take to build a stronger case for benefits. In this episode, we'll cover the following topics: One - Can Chronic Knee Pain Qualify for Social Security Disability? Two - What Social Security Looks for in Your Medical Records Three - Common Reasons SSD Claims for Knee Pain Are Denied Whether you're a claimant, or simply seeking valuable insights into the disability claims landscape, this episode provides essential guidance to help you succeed in your journey. Don't miss it. Listen to Our Sister Podcast: We have a sister podcast - Winning Isn't Easy: Long-Term Disability ®. Give it a listen: https://wiedisabilitypodcast.buzzsprout.com Resources Mentioned In This Episode: LINK TO YOUR RIGHTS TO SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY: https://mailchi.mp/caveylaw/your-rights-to-social-security-disability-benefits FREE CONSULT LINK: https://caveylaw.com/contact-us/ Need Help Today?: Need help with your Social Security Disability claim? Have questions? Please feel welcome to reach out to use for a FREE consultation. Just mention you listened to our podcast. Review, like, and give us a thumbs up wherever you are listening to Winning Isn't Easy. We love to see your feedback about our podcast, and it helps us grow and improve. Please remember that the content shared is for informational purposes only, and should not replace personalized legal advice or guidance from qualified professionals.

    Knee Pain and Social Security Disability: What You Need to Know

  8. Jul 15

    Meet the Vocational Expert: The Person Who Can Kill Your Claim

    Have a comment or question? Click this sentence to send us a message, and we might answer it in a future episode. Welcome to Season 2, Episode 25 of Winning Isn't Easy: Social Security ®. In this episode, we'll dive into Meet the Vocational Expert: The Person Who Can Kill Your Claim. A Social Security Disability hearing involves more than testimony from the claimant, attorney, and Administrative Law Judge. In many cases, the testimony of a Vocational Expert (VE) (an independent witness who has never treated the claimant or reviewed their complete medical history) can significantly influence whether benefits are awarded or denied. In this episode of Winning Isn't Easy, attorney Krysti Monaco explains the critical role Vocational Experts play in disability hearings, such as how their testimony is used to evaluate a claimant's ability to perform work and why vocational evidence often becomes the deciding factor in a case. She also discusses how experienced disability attorneys prepare for vocational testimony, identify weaknesses in expert opinions, and use effective cross-examination to protect claimants' rights.  In this episode, we'll cover the following topics: One - Who Is This Person and Why Are They Here? Two - The Hypothetical Question - Where the Battle is Fought Three - The Attorney's Turn - Winning the Case in Cross-Examination Whether you're a claimant, or simply seeking valuable insights into the disability claims landscape, this episode provides essential guidance to help you succeed in your journey. Don't miss it. Listen to Our Sister Podcast: We have a sister podcast - Winning Isn't Easy: Long-Term Disability ®. Give it a listen: https://wiedisabilitypodcast.buzzsprout.com Resources Mentioned In This Episode: LINK TO YOUR RIGHTS TO SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY: https://mailchi.mp/caveylaw/your-rights-to-social-security-disability-benefits FREE CONSULT LINK: https://caveylaw.com/contact-us/ Need Help Today?: Need help with your Social Security Disability claim? Have questions? Please feel welcome to reach out to use for a FREE consultation. Just mention you listened to our podcast. Review, like, and give us a thumbs up wherever you are listening to Winning Isn't Easy. We love to see your feedback about our podcast, and it helps us grow and improve. Please remember that the content shared is for informational purposes only, and should not replace personalized legal advice or guidance from qualified professionals.

    Meet the Vocational Expert: The Person Who Can Kill Your Claim
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About

Nancy L. Cavey, a seasoned attorney with over forty years of experience, explains the complex world of filing for Social Security Disability benefits. Filing for disability can be a confusing, life changing event, so with her deft expertise, Nancy will guide you through:- The ins-and-outs of qualifying for Social Security Disability benefits (such as age and insurance requirements).- Information regarding the process and lifespan of a claim, from the initial application to the request for hearing stages.- Traps one can fall into while navigating the Social Security Administration's step-by-step Sequential Evaluation.- Insights, overviews, and claimant stories regarding disease-specific content (ranging from commonplace ailments such as workplace injuries or accidents, to difficult to diagnose illnesses such as fibromyalgia, multiple Sclerosis, and POTS).- Pertinent news happening in the disability world, and- Much, much more.Each episode of our podcast Winning Isn't Easy: Social Security ® will expose you to invaluable tips and tricks for surviving the disability claims process (a system that is often wrought with pressures and pitfalls designed to encourage you to give up the benefits you rightfully deserve). As the host, Nancy will often be joined by guest speakers who themselves are industry experts, ranging from lawyers specializing in related fields and doctors focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of specific diseases, to our associate attorney Krysti Monaco.In her late teens, Nancy's father was diagnosed with leukemia. As someone who witnessed firsthand the devastating emotional and financial impact on both individual and family that being disabled and filing for benefits can have, Nancy is not just an attorney, but an empathetic presence who understands what you are going through.Do not let disability insurance carriers rob you of your peace of mind. As a nationwide practice, The Law Office of Nancy L. Cavey may be able to help you get the disability benefits you deserve, regardless of where in the United States you reside. Remember - let Cavey Law be the bridge to your benefits.Check out the links below to engage with us elsewhere:Website - https://caveylaw.com/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/CaveyLaw

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