SSC Disability Services

We are in receipt of the customer’s complaint and have conducted a thorough review of her file We would like to inform the customer that we have honored her request for withdrawal of representation and waiver of any and all rights to a fee should she ultimately be awarded benefitsShe will receive this notice by Federal Express no later than March 28, We represented this claimant in her claim for Social Security Disability Benefits A hearing was held on November 13, before [redacted] On January 2, [redacted] issued an unfavorable decision concluding the customer has not been under a disability within the meaning of the Social Security ActAlthough the customer contacted our office to inquire about appealing the decision, we had not yet received a copy of the Notice of Decision from [redacted] and were unable to give recommendations without first reviewing the decision As we had not received the Notice of Decision from SSA we filed a request for appeal of the hearing decision on March 14, We have also submitted to the Office of Disability Adjudication and review, a request for good cause to extend the deadline for appeal as we were not provided a copy of the Notice of Decision in keeping with Social Security Rules and Regulations, CFR §§ We will notify the customer by Federal Express when a response is received by the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review to our request for good cause to extend the filing deadline to appeal decision on her case and she will be able to use the withdrawal of representation and few waiver to seek assistance with the appeal of her hearing decision

This veteran used to be assigned to one of our accredited agents and accused him of not being attentive enough to his case and was therefore reassigned to another agentThe relationship started well with most of the communication being with his wife, [redacted] The new agent was able to address a dependency issue immediately upon taking over representationBeyond that, the primary claim that the veteran has pending is for individual unemployabilityThe new agent assisted the veteran with obtaining a nexus statement for his unemployability by speaking with his mental health care provider directlyThat has since been submitted to the ** in addition to supplemental arguments further establishing his entitlementThe new agent had frequently been in contact with the veteran and his wife regarding his current symptoms and potential for inpatient treatmentDuring this period of time [redacted] became increasingly frustrated that the ** had not yet rendered a decision and profusely called the toll free number for the ** requesting an updateDuring these calls the veteran received a variety of misinformation from the representative that he spoke with at the ** The new agent would speak to [redacted] regularly after these calls to talk him down again and againAdvising him not to call the number because the person he would get on the phone would have less information than the new agent and that we would be notified when a decision was madeHe ignored this and continued to call the **Not long ago [redacted] began leaving the agent harassing voicemails threatening to report the agent to a number of agencies because the agent was not adequately represented him due to the fact that he should have received a decision “years ago”The agent does not agree with his opinion, but is aware that he is severely disabled and chalked his behavior up to that and had chosen to continue to represent himThe agent believes he is entitled to these benefits and that his actions are manifestation of his condition After a conversation held today the agent and [redacted] have agreed on a solution: The agent will revoke her Power of Attorney and [redacted] will seek other representation Respectfully, [redacted] *** | [redacted] Office: ###-###-#### x [redacted] Fax: ###-###-#### "*** is a professional advocacy group that delivers the most in disability benefits because [redacted] dedicates all the time necessary for the advocate to fully develop the veteran’s appeal.”

We have received the customer’s complaint and would like to note that we have also received a written request from the customer asking us to withdraw from his case and discontinue any contact Attached to this response is a notice addressed to the [redacted] indicating we have withdrawn from this claim and are waiving all fees We will also send a copy of the notice to the customer’s home and thereafter, cease all attempts to communicate with him by mail or phone Please note that our actions are in response to the customer’s request and not an admission of any deceptive practices on the part of [redacted]

Revdex.com: I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted] , and find that although they are taking a to maintain my this complaint until closer to resolution I have been disappointed for longer than two years by this company The advice is highly responsive and attentive as was the first representative At this time I will closer this car when we are either closer out closed my application Currently I would not recommend ever using the services of [redacted] ***Thank you for your correspondence Sincerely, [redacted]

Complaint: ***
I am rejecting this response because:
Sincerely,
*** ***

Upon receiving and reviewing the customer’s complaint we immediately brought the matter to the attention of the employee’s manager who reviewed the file and contacted the customer
directly. After gaining an understanding of the situation the manager immediately reassigned the file to a new advocate who began working diligently with the customer. Our goal is to expedite the customer’s claim in light of her recent diagnosis indicating a compassionate allowance is appropriate. At present they are working together to expedite the obtaining of the medical records necessary for the required documentation
We are closely monitoring the activity being taken to expedite this claim and we expect to be able to push the case forward as a compassionate allowance as soon as the required medical documentation is received. We sincerely apologize for the unfortunate experience the customer had with the previous advocate but trust that her needs are being met and she is receiving the attention she deserves at this time and going forward

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID *** and find that this resolution is satisfactory to meI'm not understanding what part should be satisfactory to me are you speaking on the behalf that he Revdex.com has gotten the company to response to me after the fact I had to get Freedom Disability to open up and inform me of any of this, yes I'm please with the Revdex.com assisting me, but not with this companyThey are not telling the truth about contacting me and they still haven't this dayI have not received any packages from anyone are a phone call. In the statement they claim that they did not get the notice from SSA to verify the information that I had received from SSA , Then how was they able to give you the exact information that my letter is statingThis company is not whom they say they areThey don't stand behind their word, and they sure don't respond to any of their clients needsNo I don't except the story that they are giving you because no one is; are have addressed anything with meBut I want to thank the Revdex.com for reaching out to me and contacting this company Thank You so much this may not resolve my issue but it is a startI will continue to act on this matter until it get resolve
Sincerely,
Jane Thompson

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
Sincerely,
[redacted] I was contacted on friday with a verbal agreement to continue with the appeal until im rewarded my disability.  No further contact since then...

We have reviewed the customers complaint and her desired resolution that [redacted] handle her appeal.  We would like to notify the customer that we will be happy to handle her appeal and will reassign her case to one of our most senior and experienced attorneys for the filing of her...

appeal.  The senior attorney will reach out to her within 48 hours to conduct a thorough evaluation and assessment to begin immediate preparation for her appeal.  Thank you.

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that although they are taking a to maintain my this complaint until closer to resolution.  I have been disappointed for longer than two years by this company.  The advice is highly responsive and attentive as was the first representative.  At this time I will closer this car when we are either closer out closed my application.  Currently I would not recommend ever using the services of [redacted]. Thank you for your correspondence. 
Sincerely,
[redacted]

We are in receipt of the customer’s complaint and have conducted a thorough review of her file.  We would like to inform the customer that we have...

honored her request for withdrawal of representation and waiver of any and all rights to a fee should she ultimately be awarded benefits. She will receive this notice by Federal Express no later than March 28, 2014.
We represented this claimant in her claim for Social Security Disability Benefits.  A hearing was held on November 13, 2013 before [redacted].  On January 2, 2014 [redacted] issued an unfavorable decision concluding the customer has not been under a disability within the meaning of the Social Security Act. Although the customer contacted our office to inquire about appealing the decision, we had not yet received a copy of the Notice of Decision from [redacted] and were unable to give recommendations without first reviewing the decision. 
As we had not received the Notice of Decision from SSA we filed a request for appeal of the hearing decision on March 14, 2014. We have also submitted to the Office of Disability Adjudication and review, a request for good cause to extend the deadline for appeal as we were not provided a copy of the Notice of Decision in keeping with Social Security Rules and Regulations, 20 CFR §§404.1715. 
We will notify the customer by Federal Express when a response is received by the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review to our request for good cause to extend the filing deadline to appeal decision on her case and she will be able to use the withdrawal of representation and few waiver to seek assistance with the appeal of her hearing decision.

We are pleased that we were able to successfully resolve this issue with the customer.  Please find attached, documentation of the notice we sent to the Social Security Administration waiving our right to any and all fees. 
Thank you,

Hello I wanted to inform the Revdex.com of CT that my request was granted from Freedom Disability today thankfully. I got a resolving phone call today from [redacted] at Freedom she told me she spoke to her supervisor and she was able to waive the fee for dissatisfied services. So I feel very satisfied...

about the out come and will receive a letter from Freedom shortly for conformation. Thank you for your help.
[redacted]
[redacted]
[redacted]
[redacted]

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
Sincerely,
[redacted]

We have received the customer’s complaint and would like to note that we have also received a written request from the customer asking us to withdraw from his case and discontinue any...

contact. 
Attached to this response is a notice addressed to the [redacted] indicating we have withdrawn from this claim and are waiving all fees.  We will also send a copy of the notice to the customer’s home and thereafter, cease all attempts to communicate with him by mail or phone.
Please note that our actions are in response to the customer’s request and not an admission of any deceptive practices on the part of [redacted].

This
veteran used to be assigned to one of our accredited agents and accused him of
not being attentive enough to...

his case and was therefore reassigned to another
agent. The relationship started well with most of the communication being with
his wife, [redacted]. The new agent was able to address a dependency issue
immediately upon taking over representation. Beyond that, the primary claim
that the veteran has pending is for individual unemployability. The new agent
assisted the veteran with obtaining a nexus statement for his unemployability
by speaking with his mental health care provider directly. That has since been
submitted to the ** in addition to supplemental arguments further establishing
his entitlement. The new agent had frequently been in contact with the veteran
and his wife regarding his current symptoms and potential for inpatient
treatment. During this period of time [redacted] became increasingly
frustrated that the ** had not yet rendered a decision and profusely called the
toll free number for the ** requesting an update. During these calls the
veteran received a variety of misinformation from the representative that he
spoke with at the **.  
The
new agent would speak to [redacted] regularly after these calls to talk him
down again and again. Advising him not to call the number because the person he
would get on the phone would have less information than the new agent and that
we would be notified when a decision was made. He ignored this and continued to
call the **. Not long ago [redacted] began leaving the agent harassing voicemails
threatening to report the agent to a number of agencies because the agent was
not adequately represented him due to the fact that he should have received a
decision “years ago”. The agent does not agree with his opinion, but is aware
that he is severely disabled and chalked his behavior up to that and had chosen
to continue to represent him. The agent believes he is entitled to these
benefits and that his actions are manifestation of his condition.   
After
a conversation held today the agent and [redacted] have agreed on a
solution:  The agent will revoke her
Power of Attorney and [redacted] will seek other representation. 
 
Respectfully,
[redacted] | [redacted]
[redacted]
Office:
###-###-#### x[redacted]
Fax:
###-###-####
 
"[redacted] is a professional advocacy group that delivers the most in disability benefits
because
 [redacted] dedicates all the time necessary for the advocate to fully develop the
veteran’s appeal.”

Review: The company has misrepresented me in my disability appeal with the appeals counsel.

Freedom Disability has not provided the services in which they promise as a representative in disability hearings. In my appeals hearing, the appellate judge asked for pertinent information to be obtained from my doctor within 3 business days.My representative at Freedom Disability promised the judge and myself that she would request the information and provide it to the judge on or before the deadline. I spoke with my representative on the due date and she promised me that she had received the required information and submitted it to the judge.Two months later, I received a letter from Freedom Disability congratulating me for being approved for my retroactive case. A couple of weeks go by, and I hadn't received any information from disability nor the appeals counsel. I called the disability office for clarification and they explain that they had not received a decision from the judge yet. I called Freedom Disability office for my representative, to no avail. No one answered nor returned my calls. After waiting a week for a return call from Freedom Disability, I called again and left several messages.Still no return call from them. A couple weeks later with no letter from the Disability Office nor the Appeals Counsel, I decided to call the disability office again for a status update.Because of the time frame of my hearing, the clerk explained that the judge should have reached a decision by now. She gave me the number to the appeals counsel for a status update. I called the Appeals Counsel office, the clerk advised me that the judge had not received the required information from my attorney and a decision had not been made by the judge.With this new information, I now know that the letter that I received from Freedom Disability was based on false information. My representative lied to me and to her management at Freedom Disability about my case and also lied about doing her job of obtaining the required information.All of the information which Freedom Disability has at this time was provided to them by my wife and myself but for some unknown reason, they are charging me a $6000 fee plus a $234 for administrative fees, medical records etc. All medical records and fees were paid by myself and obtained by myself. I am confused about how the $6000 amount was calculated due to the fact that the fee should be based on a percentage of what I am awarded. Being that I have not been awarded anything, there is no way to make any accurate calculation at this time.

I called Freedom Disability again and the only way that I could get a representative to answer the phone was by pressing the prompt as if I were a social security or DDS representative. I explained to the administrative asst (who answered the phone) that I really needed to speak to a supervisor immediately about a letter that I received and I explained all the details. I also explained that I had left several messages and had not received a return call. She proceeded to transfer me to yet another answering machine. I left a message for one of the supervisors who never called back. I called back again and demanded to talk to a supervisor.The same admin. asst took my name and number and emailed four supervisors asking that one of them contact me that day before close of business. A couple of hours later, I finally received a call from one of the supervisors. I explained the entire situation to her and she confirmed that I should not have received a letter from them advising me that I'd been approved.She could not explain what had happened but promised to find out what had happened and she promised to resolve the issue. She said that she would call my representatives supervisor and then call me back. She called me back an hour or so later.She never mentioned a conversation with my reps supervisor but told me that she could not reach my rep. I am discombobulated and need an explanation immediately. This company is unprofessional, unreliable and don't deserve what they charge.Desired Settlement: I am seeking a resolution to the problem/misrepresentation and I want the company to provide the services which were agreed upon. I want them to do their job of providing the appeals court with the information that they requested two months ago. I also want them to deduct part of the fee when I am approved.

Business

Response:

Business Response /* (1000, 8, 2013/04/18) */

Contact Name and Title: [redacted]

Contact Phone: XXX-XXX-XXXX x [redacted]

Contact Email: [redacted]@freedomdisability.com

I contacted the complainant on April 3, 2013, via telephone to discuss the status of his case. I explained to the complainant that his case specialist, [redacted], had been working diligently on his case. On March 29, 2013, Ms. [redacted] called the complainant to address his case, and she also contacted the court on his behalf to update the status of his case. I then explained to the complainant that I was unable to take his phone call when he requested a supervisor, because I was out on bereavement leave at the time. Upon my return to the office the following Monday, on April 3, 2013, I immediately returned the complainant's phone call to address the outstanding issues with his case. I further explained to the complainant that there was a discrepancy between what the court was requesting at his hearing and what his hearing advocate provided at the hearing. His hearing advocate provided a copy of a statement from his treating physician to the judge at the hearing but failed to submit the accompanying treatment notes. The hearing advocate was under the impression that all the judge required was the physician statement. Subsequent to the hearing and after contacting the court it was discovered that the judge was actually requesting the accompanying treatment notes before rendering a decision. Upon learning of this development, [redacted] immediately entered a request to secure the medical records directly from the complainant's medical provider. On April 4, 2013, the medical records in question were submitted to the court.

Freedom Disability sincerely wishes to express concern over the present matter and reaffirm our commitment to serving each and every one of our clients. I hope that we have addressed all of the issues raised by the complainant in his complaint and I am confident that our company will make a stronger effort to meet all of the expectations of our clients.

Hearing Advocate Supervisor

Freedom Disability

Review: freedom disability waited too long (2 years) before attempting to get case handled. they wanted me to do all the work so they could go to court with me. I failed with information needed. had very bad information on what to do. I thought they were supposed to do the work. they are the attorneys not me. if I had to do all the work and fail, I could have done that on my own without them. and I would have done it sooner.

Desired Settlement: DesiredSettlementID: No settlement requested - for

just want others to know that they are not a good resource to handle California disability problems for people that need to get disability help. I was burnt and afraid of trying anyone else.

Business

Response:

Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2013/08/20) */

We have received the consumer's complaint and have conducted a thorough review of her file. The consumer complains she had to wait too long (2 years) for her disability case to be resolved, she had to do all of the work and we failed to win her case.

The consumer filed her own application for disability benefits in March, 2010 which was subsequently denied eight months later on November 2, 2010. On November 6, 2010, she filed a second application for reconsideration of her claim for benefits. This application was also denied on 12/31/2010. On January 11, 2011, one year after first filing for benefits, the consumer signed representation forms authorizing our company to represent her in her request for hearing before an administrative law judge. There is a nationwide backlog of cases pending with Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) and the average wait for a hearing is approximately one year. A request for hearing was filed with ODAR in February 2011 and a hearing was scheduled for May 8, 2012.

While it is true the consumer did all of the work related to the applications she filed herself, upon being appointed as representatives at the hearing level, Freedom Disability thoroughly developed the consumer's file in preparation for hearing. Social Security Disability Determinations are governed by federal guidelines and are based on objective medical evidence. After conducting a fair hearing with the consumer and Freedom Disability representative in attendance and reviewing all of the consumer's medial evidence, the administrative law judge determined she did not meet criteria for a finding of disability according to federal law. It is unfortunate the consumer was not awarded benefits however she was well represented and afforded due process under the law. The Social Security Disability Program is a federal program and the law governing the process does not vary from state to state. Freedom Disability is a national company with a large and successful presence in the State of California. We are well resourced to provide excellent representation in California but in the consumer's case the medical evidence unfortunately did not support a finding of disability under federal law.

Consumer Response /* (3000, 7, 2013/08/22) */

(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT ACCEPT the response from the business.)

They admitted that I did all the work. If I could have done it all on my own, why did I need them. I signed papers for them to get the necessary doctor reports. They wanted me to contact the doctors to get the reports, yet I wasn't successful till it was too late to for court. They waited to the last minute to for me to find out I had to do all the work and I didn't know how to go about it right and the doctors dragged their feet as well. I'm disabled and couldn't do the foot work or know the court procedures, I could have done the work myself if I knew how, that's why I hired them. I could have went to court myself, didn't need an attorney for that. I needed them to do what they said they could do, they failed in almost a year (they say), then when it was time to do in a hurry. I couldn't get it done, in my condition. if I wasn't disabled, I could have done the foot work myself. so how did they help me? they didn't.

Review: This company calls themselves experts and professional but they are not. I got assigned a advocate in April. I was told to call any time I receive letters from the Social Security Administration but when I do I never reach a live person. At times I call two or three times and get an automated system (not sure how well it works) before my advocate calls me back. Twice I called to Try to reach his supervisor and got her voice mail and she never called me back either. Today I tried my advocate several times to no avail and then his supervisor then finally I asked to get a live person who could help me. It seems some kind of mistake was made with my application but I am not sure because I cannot reach a live person at freedom disablity to verify it. I am very dissatisfied and disappoined with their services.

Desired Settlement: DesiredSettlementID: Replacement

I want a better advocate and I want a better form of communication otherwise I do not wish to use them for their services. I don to know about the present advocate (mathew winrow). Not sure how experienced he is or reliable or professional so I want someone better.

Business

Response:

Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2013/05/14) */

We are in receipt of the customer's complaint and have conducted a thorough review of her case file. The customer complains she is unable to reach a live person when she calls our company and has to leave voice mail messages. She is also frustrated with the automated voice response system she interacts with when she attempts to reach her advocate.

Review of the customer's file reveals that she contacted our company and for assistance with filing an application for Social Security Disability benefits on April 12th, 2013. Upon completion and receipt of all necessary paperwork from the customer her application was submitted on April 30th, 2013. Since that time the customer and her advocate had conversations on May 1st and May 3rd. At other times the when the customer tried to reach her advocate she received his voice mail.

The nature of our business requires our advocates to spend a great deal of time on the phone throughout the day and this unfortunately means at times messages from customers do go to voice mail. However, it is the goal of Freedom Disability to return all calls within a timely manner. Review of the customer's file indicates both our advocate and his manager attempted to respond to the customer's subsequent calls but were not successful as they received the customer's voice mail box. On May 13th the day of this complaint, the advocate's manager sent the customer an email informing her of his attempts to return her call. She responded and again expressed her frustration with her advocate and requested her case be reassigned to another advocate with more experience.

Freedom Disability extends a sincere apology to the customer for her frustration and we have reassigned her case to a senior level advocate. We trust she will have a positive experience and feel confident knowing her case is being handled by one of our most expert advocates.

Review: I contaced freedom disability in sept. 2012. regarding handle my disability claim. I was assign [redacted] as my representative. she state after taking my intial informations that her company would represent me thu handlling my issues with the state of georgia. the state adjudicator mr. [redacted] would call me requesting me to go to varies appointments and I would call [redacted]'s office to check and would on many occasion get no response from her. she would call and check on the situation and I would inform her what was going on. she would state that she had called the state but they would not call her back. I became concern because the very thing I was trying avoid was happening. I did not need the stress from dealing with the state. that was the reasoning for going to them (freedom disability). I recieved a letter from the state date 4/9/2013. the stated that my disability claim was denied. I had spoken to [redacted] the week before and stated that after going an appointment that wednesday. I should here from the state in a week or two. after my claim was denied I was upset because I felt freedom disability had not assisted me with my claim at all. I have some serious health and financial situations in my life .i.e behind on my mortage and being able to afford to go to the doctors office. I call the social security office about and another matter and I decided to inquire about my disability claim. they inform me I never had any representation and that is why the adjudicator kept calling.

Desired Settlement: DesiredSettlementID: Refund

if feel freedom disability has put my health and home in jeapardy. I have trusted that they had my best interest at heart and I find out this is a possible scam.

Business

Response:

Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2013/05/01) */

We have received the customer's complaint and have thoroughly reviewed his file. The customer first contacted our company for assistance in August, 2012. After receiving signed authorization from the customer an application for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) was completed and submitted to the Social Security Administration (SSA) in September, 2012. On September 28, 2012 the customer contacted our office and left a message that he had received a letter from SSA verifying that his application had been received and was in process. SSA standard procedure upon receipt of application and signed forms authorizing representation is to add the authorized representative to the file. The SSA then copies the representative on all communications with the applicant. In this case the SSA failed to add the Freedom Representative to the customer's file even though the agency clearly received and processed the application we submitted on the customer's behalf. As a result we were not copied on any of the SSA's communications with the customer and to this date we have not been successful in getting our representative added. To that end the customer is correct. SSA's error in not adding our representative to the file inhibited our ability to assist the customer with his application. The SSA and State agency (DDS) processed the application obtained medical evidence, sent the customer to consultative exams and rendered a decision on his claim. To date we have not received responses to our inquiries even though we have submitted duplicate paperwork. The Social Security Administration is an enormous bureaucratic agency and inevitably errors are made, which often times take tremendous effort and extensive periods of time to correct.

Mr. [redacted] has 60 days from the date on the denial letter he received from the SSA in order to file for reconsideration and appeal the decision to deny his claim. As we were not added as representatives to his file we did not receive a copy of the denial notice. We will be happy to assist him with his appeal but we understand that he may no longer want assistance from our company and my wish to seek another representative. If that is the case we will provide him with a letter withdrawing our representation (even though we were never added by the SSA) and waiving our right to a fee. We will respect Mr. [redacted] decision regardless but we want to impress upon him the importance of filing his appeal in a timely manner. We will await his response before taking further action. Thank you.