Allenstein and Allenstein, LLC

09/03/2026

Well look who finally showed up! I have been waiting and waiting and waiting! I see another bud about to open too! I hope to see that one in full bloom next week. :)

09/02/2026

We have to be careful that we don't get so focused on what's going wrong that we miss out on what's going right! I am talking to myself!

Today, my blood was just boiling over two very disappointing offers that came in on two separate car wreck cases. I mean...the blood pressure was rising for sure. I was furious for my precious clients who are being treated ALL wrong by an insurance company following car wrecks that were not even their fault. Even Corrina was upset. She has been doing this long enough to know that those numbers...were no good. But then...

I remembered...hey. Yes....that is wrong no matter how you look at it but let's take a look at what went right today...

1. We won ANOTHER Social Security Disability case at the initial level today. I believe I met the client in April or so which is really fast and I love that for them.

2. We received a Fully Favorable Decision (a win) on a Social Security Disability case that just had a hearing recently. The client was SO grateful.

3. We took in four new Social Security clients including two people who have been clients in the past. One said..."you are the only people I trust". The other said..."my whole family has used you. I wouldn't go anywhere else". They both made my heart smile!

4. I have the BEST team members I could ever ask for! It is such a joy to work with this crew!

So yes...we will handle the insurance companies. I will assume they were having an off day when they extended those unacceptable offers. Perhaps their next letters will be better letters. Until then...I will celebrate the things worth celebrating today! Thankful for a job I love.

09/01/2026

I served in one of these clinics in Tuscaloosa when I was in law school and I loved it. I hope they are still around!

09/01/2026

I KNEW today was going to be a good day!

1. We won a claim at the INITIAL level for a client who I met in April. I am thrilled for them!

2. I was able to call a Hearing Level client and tell them that the Judge ruled in their favor!

3. We completed and submitted a brief to the Appeals Council for a client who attended their hearing without an attorney and lost. I am full of hope that we will obtain a Remand!

4. We took in a new client at the Request for Reconsideration level today. I represented this client YEARS ago and I was thrilled to see them again!

5. I received news from the amazing attorney who handles our Federal Court Appeals that we received Remands in TWO cases today! One was called a Voluntary Remand which is where the Social Security Administration attorneys recommend a Remand and then the Court grants it. One was a Remand Ordered by the Court after the case was fully argued by both sides. I am beyond thrilled for these clients who get a second chance.

I knew today was going to be good when I opened my eyes! I plan to head home now smiling the whole way. I hope tomorrow is good for several more of these precious people who we have the privilege to represent. Great work team!

09/01/2026

We have openings today at 9:00am and 12:00.
Call 256-546-6314 ext 0 or text 256-900-7703 if you need an appointment.

09/01/2026

Good morning! It is going to be a great day today!

08/31/2026

Do you know what I love? I love completing and submitting a "Pay on the Record Request". It is a letter brief where I detail ALL of the reasons I feel like a person should win their Social Security Disability claim. If the case has already had a prior hearing, we also include typed excerpts from the prior testimony. We also argue whether any Listings are met or whether any Grid Rules apply.

I don't send these letters until I feel like they make a compelling argument for a Fully Favorable Decision. It is not uncommon to have over 7 drafts with various edits before they are finished. Our amazing Legal Assistant, Brianna usually assists me with these extensive edits. No can make edits as fast as Brianna! I am so grateful for her! It is also not uncommon for me to say..."It's just not ready. We need more evidence" so then we get to work rounding up more evidence.

When I finally sign one of these briefs, I feel like I have said all I have to say on the matter and then we have to hope the Judge will agree. With the brief, we also submit a summary of the medical evidence organized by provider and one in chronological order to assist the Judge in evaluating the evidence. The summaries are generally done in-house by our amazing Legal Assistant, Kathy. She is absolutely amazing. NINETY percent of the work on a Social Security Disability claim needs to be done BEFORE the hearing. Kathy makes these letters possible! The hearing is just an opportunity to confirm, with sworn testimony, what has already been argued, submitted, and documented and maybe a chance for the Judge to address any particular concerns they may have about the claim.

Nothing would make me happier than for the Judge's office to call and say that the Judge is going to rule "On the Record" and that no hearing will be held. It isn't the norm but it is a welcome treat when those calls come! We will see...

08/30/2026

This is complicated. You have to be careful. We deal with Social Security Disability rather than Social Security Retirement but we do have several clients who are drawing early retirement while they are trying to get approved for their Social Security Disability. I want everyone to draw the maximum amount they are entitled to so keep an eye on this...

If you're married and claiming Social Security, the biggest trap isn't your own age — it's missing a spousal benefit you may qualify for. The rule: you must be married at least one continuous year before claiming on your spouse's record. Most people don't know this. Many assume the 10-year marriage rule for divorced spouses applies to current marriages too — it doesn't. That's for ex-spouses. For a current spouse, it's just one year. If you've been married less than 12 months, you can't get a spousal benefit yet. But the day you hit that anniversary, you may be entitled to up to 50% of your spouse's full retirement benefit — depending on your age and your own work record. Here's the thing: if your own benefit is smaller than half of theirs, the difference could be thousands of dollars a year you're leaving on the table. I saw this constantly at Social Security — people waiting years because nobody told them. You earned this. Don't leave it behind. Share this with someone who's counting down to 62.

08/30/2026

I try to keep my posts simple but this is a very detailed and deep explanation of a recent court ruling in the 9th Circuit. We are in the 11th Circuit but this helps explain why these Social Security Disability claims can be SO DIFFICULT sometimes. This one had three excellent doctor statements but the Court ruled the medical RECORDS didn't match the limitations set out by the medical providers. This post was created by a Social Security Disability attorney who specializes in Federal Court Appeals. I've never met her but I always enjoy her informative posts. Maybe you will enjoy it too.

Another Ninth Circuit affirmance in a Social Security disability appeal, and a good reminder of just how high the bar is once you're in federal court. Breaking down Yandrich v. Bisignano (9th Cir., Aug 11, 2026) for anyone litigating these cases: Yandrich appealed the denial of his SSDI/SSI claim, a...