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A Disability Representative's Urgent Call to Congress
Posted By Michael Wener, Friday, September 26, 2025

As representatives, we see firsthand how critical the Social Security Administration (SSA) is to the lives of claimants. Every day, individuals and families rely on timely decisions, accurate information, and access to benefits that help them meet their most basic needs. When the government is at risk of shutting down, as it is now with funding set to expire on September 30, 2025, the stability of this process is threatened.

For claimants, uncertainty is more than an inconvenience. A shutdown could mean delays in hearings, slower processing times, and limited access to SSA staff. For someone waiting on a disability determination, even a short delay can create real hardship: missed rent, unpaid medical bills, or lost access to care.

For representatives, shutdowns make it harder to serve our clients effectively. We depend on SSA's systems and personnel to move cases forward. When those systems slow down or pause, claimants are left in limbo, and our ability to advocate is constrained.

The Ripple Effects Go Beyond SSA

While Social Security disability determinations are our primary concern, a government shutdown creates cascading effects that impact the entire disability community. Federal agencies that oversee housing assistance, food programs, and healthcare services may face staffing reductions or temporary closures. For people with disabilities who often rely on multiple support systems, losing access to even one program can destabilize their entire support network.

Consider a claimant who depends on SNAP benefits while awaiting their disability determination, or someone who needs federally funded transportation services to attend their hearing. A shutdown doesn't just delay one process—it can disrupt the interconnected web of services that keep vulnerable Americans afloat.

Real People, Real Consequences

The financial strain on people awaiting disability benefits cannot be overstated. Most claimants have already lost their primary source of income due to their disability. They're often spending down life savings, relying on family support, or struggling to keep up with medical expenses. Any additional delay in their cases can push them from financial stress into genuine crisis.

A Call for Consistent Leadership

That's why stable and consistent government funding matters. Social Security is a lifeline, and SSA must have the resources to fulfill its mission without disruption. We urge Congress to act quickly to keep the government open, fund SSA, and protect the millions of people who depend on timely disability decisions.

We call on every member of Congress to remember the faces behind the case numbers, to consider the families who will go without, and to act swiftly to prevent a government shutdown. The people we serve are counting on you.

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Are you ready for Networking Weekend?
Posted By Administration, Wednesday, June 20, 2018
Updated: Wednesday, June 6, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

Please join us in Providence, Rhode Island for our 6th Annual Networking Weekend. These events are so much fun and provide a relaxed, laid back atmosphere for learning and exchanging ideas. The conversations that you will have with other NADR members will leave you feeling recharged and motivated. Don’t we all need that?

See below for more event details.

 

Registration Fee: Early bird rate is $100 for members and $125 for nonmembers. The fee includes the Meet and Greet cocktail reception, a group breakfast, a speed networking session, and the presentation: NADR Think Tank: An Interactive Group Idea Share. Optional tickets will be available for purchase for a group dinner on Friday, 9/28 and we will be in town for the renown WaterFire show on Saturday at Sunset! Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to get to know fellow representatives! Register now; early bird rate expires 7/1! www.nadr.org

 

Room Reservations: We will be staying at the Hilton Providence in walking distance to Federal Hill, Providence’s “Little Italy”. NADR has secured a discounted rate of $169 and a booking link will be provided upon event registration.

 

Tentative Agenda: The registration fee covers the agenda items marked by an asterisk. Anything else is optional and may have an additional fee. We have left “blank space” in the agenda so that you can feel free to design your weekend your way. Use our suggested activities to make plans with other attendees or just use the time to relax and recharge.

 

Thursday 9/27/18

*6-7pm – Meet & Greet at the Hotel (location TBD) –Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and the open bar while making dinner plans with NADR friends.

Friday 9/28/18

Breakfast and Sessions will be held at the host hotel.

*8-9am – Breakfast provided for all registered attendees.

*9-10:15 – Speed Networking: Get to know fellow attendees in a fun and unique way!

 

*10:30-12:30 – NADR Think Tank: An Interactive Group Idea Share– NADR members Shirley Jenks and Dr. Carletta Griffin team up to facilitate this exciting session that allows you to discuss common issues and tips of the trade, complete with sample documents and processes. Many people say that they enjoy conversations in the hall the most at NADR conferences. This is basically what this session (and really, the entire weekend) is designed for…learning from others in a relaxed setting. Meet and get to know other representatives while discussing relevant issues related to Social Security Disability Representation and the best processes that others are using. You will leave a better representative!

**Everything listed below is OPTIONAL and an additional fee may apply**

12:45pm – Lunch on your Own – There are numerous choices in Federal Hill “Little Italy”

2:30-6:00pm – Explore the waterfront, take a tour (NADR has options listed), or relax and enjoy catching up with colleagues.

6:30pm – Group Dinner (TBD) – Meet us in the hotel lobby and we will walk/uber to the restaurant together.

9:30pm – 11:30pm – Networking on the Rooftop – Enjoy a beautiful view of downtown Providence from this rooftop bar while getting to know other attendees.

 

Saturday 9/29 (This day is intentionally left mostly free so that groups can go into Boston or Newport for the day, if desired)

8:00 am – Breakfast - Meet NADR members in the lobby and choose a place for breakfast together!

11:00am– Lunch - Meet in the lobby  on the terrace and we can walk to the restaurant together.

1:00-6:00pm – Explore Providence- Take in all of beautiful Providence as you stroll through the city. We will have a list of suggested activities or tours available.

6:00pm –Providence WaterFire Show Free and open to the public…you do not want to miss this! WaterFire’s over eighty sparkling bonfires, the fragrant scent of aromatic wood smoke, the flickering firelight on the arched bridges and the enchanting music from around the world engage all the senses and emotions of those who stroll the paths of Waterplace Park. We will announce the meeting location so we can view together before making dinner and nightlife plans!

 

Sunday 9/30

8:00 – 9:30am - Breakfast - Meet in the lobby to decide where to go together and say goodbye over breakfast.

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10 Marketing Tips for Anyone!
Posted By Julie Phelps, Wednesday, June 13, 2018
Updated: Wednesday, June 6, 2018

 

10 Marketing Tips for ANYONE (yes, that means you)

By Michael Liner

Published in the NADR Newsletter, 2nd Quarter, 2018

 

As always, it was a treat to see everyone and present at the NADR Conference in St. Louis. Special thanks to my co-panelists who were so giving of their time and knowledge, Tyson Mutrux and Gary Burger. So the conference was several weeks ago, and we are all now back to the daily grind of being disability representatives. What are you doing to change the outlook for your practice in years ahead? Here are some ideas for you—but remember, start with ONE until it becomes routine and then implement another. 

 
1. Go to lunch! Successful businesspeople know that the lunch hour should be spent building their network by taking time from the day to meet and dine with potential and existing referral partners. Set a goal to schedule two lunches each week: one with an existing referral source and one with a new potential source of referrals. 
 
2. Get Google, Facebook and Yelp reviews. People want to know what others have to say about you and the quality of your services. Don’t be afraid to ask your clients to review you. 
 
3. Start a newsletter to stay in touch with referral sources and be top of mind with current and former clients. What better way to stand in contact with the thousands of contacts you have. Print newsletters are best, but even an e-newsletter alone will keep you top of mind. 
 
4. Think about what makes you different than everyone else doing this work in your community— and write about it! There is not a shortage of people selling disability representation. Make sure prospects know why you stand out from the rest. Hint: it’s not about a number of years you’ve been in practice or your no-fee guarantee. 
 
5. Shoot videos with FAQs and upload them onto YouTube, Facebook and your own website. Videos personalize you to those watching and position you as an expert in the field. They don’t need to be overly “professional” or rehearsed—I do mine using an iPhone and rarely do more than one take. 
 
6. Teach! Identify first responders (people who come in contact with your ideal client) and offer to present to them about disability in a way that allows them to help their own patients/clients when they come with questions. Trust me, this will lead to lots of new referrals. 
 
7. Make sure you have even a basic website up that personalizes you and had up to date contact information so you can easily be found. Websites are the 21st century business card. Studies have shown that millennials on average don’t trust businesses that don’t have a credible web presence. 
 
8. Send a thank you note. Sounds simple enough, but you’d be surprised how few people actually do it. When you get a helpful medical source statement from a physician, or a doctor’s office manager goes out of their way to help you get last-minute records, send them a quick note letting them know how much you appreciate it. You will not be forgotten! 
 
9. Make sure that the people you see every day know not just who you are, but what you do! Leave business cards like they are going out of style. Don’t expect an immediate return, but for less than one cent a piece, it’s a no-lose proposition. 
 
10. Don’t forget why you need to market. Maybe you work for someone else who keeps you busy or maybe you think you already have a practice that gets calls without taking extra action—that can stop! Get in the habit of marketing yourself and your profession now so if one well runs dry, another spout opens up. 
 
 
Michael Liner is a valued NADR member and regularly speaks at our Networking Events and Conferences. His writing has also been featured in the Bar Journal of The Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association and other legal publications. Michael will be talking more about these marketing strategies in an upcoming webinar scheduled for 10/17! If you are trying to build your business, or, you just want some fresh ideas, do not miss this NADR webinar!

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