Welcome to North Star ★
Your Social Security Disability Guide
★ My Claim Type
SSDI / Title II
Social Security Disability Insurance
SSI / Title XVI
Supplemental Security Income
Concurrent
Both SSDI and SSI
Child SSI
Under age 18
Disabled Widow/Widower
Based on spouse's record
DAC
Disabled Adult Child
Not Sure
Your representative can clarify
Claim type affects SGA rules, income limits, back pay, and benefit programs. If you are unsure which applies, your representative can clarify. This selection is for your reference only.
Your Claim
★ Claim Type
SSDI / Title II
SSI / Title XVI
Concurrent SSDI + SSI
Child SSI
Disabled Widow/Widower
DAC / Adult Disabled Child
Not Sure
Your Journey
1
Applied
2
Initial Decision
3
Reconsideration
4
ALJ Hearing
5
Decision
6
Appeals Council
7
Approved
Approved
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Days to Hearing
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Doctors on File
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RFCs Collected
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Active Deadlines
Current Stage — What Happens Next
1
Right to Review Your File
Claimants have the right to review their complete SSA file before the hearing.
2
Evidence Submission Deadline
Additional evidence must be submitted at least 5 business days before the hearing.
3
Vocational Expert Testimony
A Vocational Expert testifies at most ALJ hearings about work in the national economy.
Upcoming Deadlines
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No deadlines added yet
SSA appeal windows are fixed. Missing one may affect your claim, though SSA may grant an extension for good cause. Go to Deadlines to track every window.
Quick Access
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RFC Forms
Open →
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Glossary
Open →
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Appointments
View →
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My ALJ
View →
North Star is an informational and organizational tool only. It does not provide legal advice. If you have an attorney or advocate, share relevant information with them.
My Roadmap
The complete Social Security disability process β where you are, what came before, and what comes next.
1
Initial Application
The SSA-16 and SSA-3368 are filed. DDS begins reviewing medical evidence. Average processing time: 3–6 months.
2
Initial Decision
DDS issues a written determination. Most initial claims receive a denial. SSA generally allows 60 days from the date you receive the notice to appeal. SSA presumes receipt within 5 days of the notice date unless you can show otherwise β most people treat this as approximately 65 days from the notice date. Always verify your exact deadline with SSA or your representative.
3
Reconsideration
A different DDS examiner reviews the file with any new evidence. Most reconsiderations also result in denial.
4
ALJ Hearing
An independent Administrative Law Judge reviews the complete file and hears testimony. Published SSA data shows higher approval rates at this level than at prior levels.
5
ALJ Decision
The ALJ issues a fully favorable, partially favorable, or unfavorable written decision explaining the findings and the basis for the determination.
6
Appeals Council
If unfavorable, the claimant may request Appeals Council review within 65 days of the decision notice (60 days from receipt plus 5 days presumed mail time). Verify the exact deadline. The AC reviews for legal error and does not hold hearings.
7
Federal Court
If the AC denies review or upholds the decision, the claimant may file in federal district court. Completing the AC level is required before federal court.
Process timelines are estimates based on published SSA data and vary by hearing office and region.
Deadline Tracker
SSA appeal deadlines are important to track. While SSA may grant extensions for good cause β such as illness, hospitalization, or other circumstances β tracking every window, hearing date, and response deadline helps protect your claim.
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Critical — 14 days
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Act Soon — 30 days
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Upcoming — 90 days
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Future
Active Deadlines
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No deadlines added yet
SSA appeal windows are important β missing one may affect your claim, though SSA may grant a deadline extension for good cause in certain circumstances including illness, hospitalization, mental health conditions, low literacy, or other factors beyond your control. Your attorney or advocate can advise whether good cause applies to your situation. Add your deadlines here so nothing is overlooked.
North Star is an informational and organizational tool only. It does not provide legal advice. Always verify deadlines with SSA directly or with your attorney or advocate.
Appointment Tracker
Track medical appointments, hearings, and consultations. Document what was discussed and any follow-up needed.
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Total
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Upcoming
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This Month
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CE Scheduled
Upcoming Appointments
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No appointments added yet
Tracking your medical appointments creates a record of ongoing treatment β consistent care with treating physicians is an important part of building your medical evidence file. Add hearings, consultations, and follow-up visits here.
North Star is an informational and organizational tool only. It does not provide legal advice.
Income Tracker
Track monthly earnings to monitor your Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) status. The 2026 SGA threshold is $1,690/month for non-blind individuals.
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This Month
$1,690
SGA Threshold 2026
$0
YTD Total
Under
SGA Status
★ What is SGA?Substantial Gainful Activity is the monthly earnings threshold SSA uses at Step 1. If SSA determines you are performing SGA, your claim may be denied at Step 1. The SGA analysis can involve additional rules including averaging, impairment-related work expenses, and unsuccessful work attempt provisions. Discuss any work activity with SSA or your representative. SSA adjusts this threshold every year.
★ SGA Threshold Lookup by Year
Enter any year 2000β2026
Non-Blind
$1,690/mo
2026 threshold
Blind
$2,830/mo
2026 threshold
Source: SSA Red Book. Thresholds are based on official SSA published figures. If you have an attorney or advocate, share this with them.
Income Log
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No income logged yet
If you are working or have worked during your claim, tracking earnings helps you and your representative understand how work activity may be evaluated under SSA's SGA rules. Different rules may apply depending on your claim type, work history, and circumstances. Use the lookup tool above to find the threshold for any year.
North Star is an informational and organizational tool only. It does not provide legal advice. Consult your attorney or advocate regarding how income affects your specific claim.
RFC Forms Library
29 RFC forms for doctors to complete. Click any form to view details.
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29
Forms
Word+PDF
Format
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Select a form
Each RFC form is completed by the treating physician. Click any form to view what it covers and how it is used.
Medical Evidence Tracker
Track all treating sources, record request status, and evidence gaps. Your representative needs a complete picture of what records exist and where they stand.
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Providers on File
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Records Received
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Records Pending
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RFC Forms Collected
★ Add Treating Source
Provider Name
Specialty / Type
Date Records Requested
Date Records Received
Records Sent to SSA?
RFC Form Status
Missing Date Range
Updated Records Needed Before Hearing?
Notes
Treating Sources on File
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No providers added yet
SSA requests records from all treating sources listed on your application using the SSA-827. Keeping track of every provider β and the status of their records β helps you and your representative identify gaps before they become problems at the hearing.
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Providers on File
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Records Received
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Records Pending
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RFC Forms Collected
Treating Sources
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No providers added yet
SSA requests records from every treating source listed on your application. Tracking what has been requested, what has been received, and what may be missing helps you and your representative stay on top of the evidence file. Add every doctor, specialist, therapist, or clinic involved in your care.
★ SSA-827 AuthorizationSSA uses Form SSA-827 to request records from treating sources. Your representative can advise on which sources to list and whether any records should be obtained independently before the hearing.
North Star is an informational and organizational tool only. It does not provide legal advice.
My ALJ
SSA assigns your Administrative Law Judge β you do not choose them. When SSA sends your hearing notice it will include the judge's name. Enter it here and use the official SSA link to look up their public decision statistics.
★ My Assigned Judge
Judge Name
Hearing Office
Hearing Date
Hearing Format
★ Look Up Your Judge's Public Decision Statistics
SSA publishes approval and denial rates for every ALJ nationwide. These are public records. You can look up your assigned judge by name to see their historical approval rate, average processing time, and decision breakdown. Approval rates vary significantly from judge to judge β approval rates vary significantly from judge to judge. This information does not predict the outcome of your case. Do not assume a low approval rate means your case cannot be won, or that a high approval rate means your case will be approved. Share this information with your attorney or advocate β they can interpret it in the context of your specific case.
🔍 SSA ALJ Decision Statistics →
Hearing Office Locator →
★ What Approval Rate Statistics Mean
What the stats show
Historical percentage of decisions that were fully or partially favorable. Covers all cases the judge decided β not just cases similar to yours.
What they do not show
The strength of the cases that came before the judge. A lower approval rate does not mean a judge is unfair β it may reflect the mix of cases in that office.
Can I request a different judge?
Recusal requests are rarely granted and require a specific legal basis β not simply a preference for a different judge. Your attorney or advocate can advise whether circumstances in your case warrant a recusal request.
How to use this information
Share the stats with your attorney or advocate. They understand how to interpret approval rates in context and can factor this into how they prepare your case.
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Share With Your Attorney or Advocate
Your representative can look up your judge's stats and advise you on what they mean for your specific case. If you do not yet have representation, this information is a useful conversation starter when consulting with an attorney.
ALJ statistics are public information published by SSA and do not predict outcomes in individual cases. North Star does not rate, rank, or evaluate individual judges. Information entered here is stored for this session only.
Hearing Prep Checklist
A checklist to help you and your representative prepare for your ALJ hearing. Share this with your attorney or advocate β they will guide you on each item.
★ ImportantYour representative is the right person to direct hearing preparation. This checklist is an organizational tool β not legal advice and not a substitute for guidance from your attorney or advocate.
★ Hearing Details
Hearing Date
Hearing Format
ALJ Name
Hearing Office
★ Evidence Preparation
★ Representative Coordination
★ Logistics
Checklist Progress
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Complete
This checklist is an informational and organizational tool only. It does not constitute legal advice. Your attorney or advocate directs hearing preparation β share this with them.
Communication Log
Every interaction documented — what was sent, received, discussed, and what follow-up is needed.
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Total Entries
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Sent
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Received
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Urgent
Recent Communications
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No communications logged yet
Disability cases can span years and involve dozens of interactions with SSA, representatives, doctors, and other agencies. A dated log of every call, letter, and notice creates a record you and your representative can reference at any point in the process.
Plain English Glossary
100 SSA terms explained clearly. No legal jargon.
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100
Terms
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Select a term
Plain English definitions with related terms and stage information.
Blue Book Reference
SSA Listing of Impairments in plain English.
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0
Listings
14
Systems
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Select a listing
Meeting a listing means SSA finds disability at Step 3 without assessing work capacity.
SSA Rulings
Key Social Security Rulings. Binding on all ALJs.
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0
Rulings
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Select a ruling
SSA Rulings fill gaps in the regulations and clarify how situations are evaluated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions answered in plain English.
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75
Questions
9
Categories
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Select a category
Browse by category or search for any question.
SSA Official Forms
Official forms linking directly to ssa.gov.
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16
Forms
ssa.gov
Source
📋
Select a form
Each form links to the official SSA source with a plain English explanation.
My Representative
Store your attorney or advocate information here. Representation is not required but SSA data shows represented claimants have higher approval rates at the ALJ hearing level.
★ How Representation Works
Contingency Fee
Many disability representatives work on a contingency basis β no fee unless you are awarded benefits. Under the common SSA fee agreement process, the fee is generally limited to the lesser of 25% of past-due benefits or SSA's current maximum dollar cap. Some agreements may also address case expenses separately. Always review your fee agreement carefully.
SSA Fee Cap
Under the SSA fee agreement process, the fee is generally capped at 25% of past-due benefits or SSA's current annual maximum, whichever is less. SSA pays the representative directly from the back pay award. Beginning in 2026, SSA reviews and adjusts the cap annually in line with COLA.
Fee Cap History
2026+$9,200 β reviewed annually with COLA going forward
Nov 2024$9,200 β increased from $7,200
Nov 2022$7,200 β increased from $6,000 (first increase in 13 years)
2009β2022$6,000 β unchanged for 13 years
2002β2009$5,300
Source: SSA Federal Register. Cap applies to fee agreement process β fee petitions are evaluated separately. Always review your specific fee agreement. If you have an attorney or advocate, ask them about the current cap.
Any Stage
You may obtain representation at any stage of the process - initial application through federal court.
★ My Representative Information
Representative Name
Firm / Organization Name
Phone Number
Email Address
Date Retained
Fee Arrangement
Notes
★ Appointing Your Representative Officially
To officially designate a representative before SSA, both you and your representative must complete and sign Form SSA-1696 - Appointment of Representative. Once filed, SSA communicates directly with your representative and they may act on your behalf at all levels of the process.
Open SSA-1696 at SSA.gov →
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Finding a Representative
The National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR) maintains a directory of disability attorneys and advocates. Your state bar association's lawyer referral service and local legal aid organizations are also sources of representation. Many attorneys offer free consultations.
NOSSCR.org →
North Star is an informational and organizational tool only. It does not provide legal advice. Information entered here is stored only for this session and is not transmitted to any server.