Former Senior Attorney, Social Security Administration (Pasadena, CA SSA/OHO)
Former Administrative Law Judge, California Department of Social Services (Los Angeles, CA State Hearings Division)
I represent clients throughout the entire Social Security disability application process. In addition to representing clients applying for SSDI and SSI benefits in the Office of Hearings Operations (OHO), I also handle cases involving Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs) overpayments, children and survivor's benefit issue, also with providing assistance with retirement benefits.
My practice is unique in that I represent Social Security clients who are dealing with issues involving SSA Field Offices regarding suspension, termination and reinstatement of SSI and other benefits. I appear with clients in cases before Disability Hearing Officers I seek to give my utmost effort on behalf of clients wherever they are in the process of securing Social Security benefits.
I also represent clients who are applying for Disability Retirement before Public Agencies including LACERA, LACERS, CalPERS and others throughout the State of California
I am also a former Administrative Law Judge for the California Department of Social Services and handle cases involving Medi-Cal, Cal Fresh and Cash Assistance benefits..
- University of California - Los Angeles
- M.A. | Urban Planning
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- UCLA School of Law
- J.D. | Law
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- University of California - Los Angeles
- B.A. | Geography
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- Social Security Disability and Administrative Law Attorney
- Law Offices of Kelvin K. Lee
- - Current
- Administrative Law Judge
- California Department of Social Services, State Hearings Decision
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- Decided cases involving issuance of public benefits, including Medi-Cal, Cal Fresh and Cash Assistance.
- Vertical Advocate/Staff Counsel
- California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
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- Service as vertical advocate representing Department in State Personnal Board Cases
- Senior Staff Counsel
- California Department of Real Estate
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- Represented Department of Real Estate in Licensing Matters
- Staff Counsel
- California Department of Motor Vehicles
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- Represented Department of Motor Vehicles in cases involving applicants and holders of occupational licenses.
- Senior Attorney
- US Social Security Administration, Office of Hearing Operations
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- Wrote administrative law judge decisions in disability cases, and adjusticated disability claims when warranted.
- Social Security and Administrative Law, San Gabriel Chamber of Commerce Attorney Panel, San Gabriel, CA
- San Gabriel Chamber of Commerce
- Informational panel for Chamber of Commerce Members
- Real Estate Licensing, Overview of the California Bureau of Real Estate
- California Bureau of Real Estate
- San Gabriel Valley Lawyer Referral Services
- Referral Service Member
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- Activities: Represent referred clients in Social Security and other legal matters.
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- Hemophilia Foundation of Southern California
- Governing Board Member
- - Current
- Activities: Oversee governance of non-profit serving the Hemophilia population throughout Southern California
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- San Gabriel Chamber of Commerce
- Attorney Panel Member
- - Current
- Activities: Member of Chamber of Commerce Panel regularly holding informational seminars for the San Gabriel Community
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- UCLA Alumni Association
- Member
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- State Bar of California # 152867
- Member
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- National Organization of Social Security Claimant's Representatives (NOSSCR)
- Referral Service Member
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- Activities: Belong to referral service for claimant's representatives
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- California
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Free Consultation
I give free consultations regarding Social Security Disability Cases. -
Contingent Fees
Social Security disability applications are handled on a contingency fee basis. There are hourly or fixed fees for other matters. I am glad to discuss payment arrangement so that I am able to represent you. -
Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
Cash or Checks
- Social Security Disability
- English: Spoken, Written
- Q. i am the representative payee for my daughter who is on SSI. i was up for re-evaluation and the SSI said this...
- A: If a couple lives together, SSA will consider them to be household which is sharing expenses unless you prove otherwise. It really does not have anything to do with being married, they consider you to be sharing expenses with him by the fact that you are living together in the same place.
In other words, SSA will believe that your boyfriend is helping you out financially and that they should make deductions from your SSI because of this.
What you need to do is submit the Statement of Household Expenses and Contributions Form (SSA-8011) and specify who is paying what expenses.
They key to this is showing that you are paying for your fair share of household expenses (the total shelter ... Read More
- Q. Asking for advice on disability claim.
- A: SSA should have an electronic case file of the exhibits which have already been submitted in your care.
A new attorney should be able to access this file once you have retained them.
- Q. Hello. I am 61; I am disabled due to palmoplantar psoriasis, bipolar, MDD. What if I take early retirement at 62?
- A: You will get a greater amount of benefits than what you receive at age 62 if you later qualify for SSDI benefits.
Your Social Security Statement should state "If you to be found disabled, you would receive $XXXX per month." The SSDI rate is always greater than then age 62 retirement benefit, and should be just about equal to the full retirement age benefit.
Once you reach full retirement age, your SSDI benefit will be converted into a regular retirement benefit.
Basically, you don't have anything to lose and could get both a positive retroactive SSDI adjustment and a higher retirement rate if you successfully obtain SSDI benefits.