Social Security Disability
We represent disabled people in their efforts to get Social Security Disability Benefits. Our geographic area for Social Security Disability includes all of Central and Northern New York and the southern tier, including Syracuse, Oswego, Utica, Rome, Auburn, Cortland, Watertown and Binghamton areas.

Since 1986, Olinsky & Shurtliff has helped over a thousand disabled persons win their Social Security claims. We will assist you with all stages of your claim, including representing you at administrative hearings and on appeal in Federal Court. In preparation for your administrative hearing, we will explain what issues are most important and prepare you for the questions that the judge is likely to ask. On appeal in Federal Court we will submit written legal arguments and will attend oral arguments if necessary. Non-attorney representatives cannot do this for you, and it is very difficult for a non-represented claimant to understand what issues are most important in these proceedings.


We Understand Your Impairments.

Social Security claims can be won on the basis of one impairment, either physical or psychological, or can be won on the basis of a combination of impairments. There are times when vocational factors such as age, education, and work history are important. We are experienced in reading medical records and understanding the nature of complex diseases and injuries. We know what information is important to obtain from your doctors. We can help the Administrative Law Judge assigned to your claim understand these issues and help you tell "your story".

We Will Do The Legwork For You.

We will assist you with the routine matters associated with your claim, such as filing your appeals in a timely manner and completing standard Social Security questionnaires. We will obtain your doctors' records, as well as reports and interrogatories. These things can be very burdensome to you, but are routine for us. Additionally, we have a highly skilled staff that is dedicated to keeping your claim running smoothly. They are able to quickly and knowledgeably answer your questions. Although hiring an attorney will not speed the process, we regularly follow the status of your claim to be sure it is being processed properly.

We Understand How Social Security Benefits Are Calculated.

We understand how the Social Security Administration calculates benefits. If your claim is approved, we monitor your claim to be sure that you are paid correctly. We understand that there are problems that can arise when a person collects Social Security and Workers' Compensation. We can guide you through these matters.

We Do Not Collect an Attorney Fee Unless We Win Your Claim.

Although you are ultimately responsible for any money we spend out of pocket to pursue your case (such as charges for medical records, filing fees, etc.), we do not collect an attorney fee unless we win your claim. This is insurance that we will work hard to win your claim.