Susan Michele Schaefer

Susan Michele Schaefer has over 30 years of professional experience. She began her career as a trial attorney before establishing a decades-long career at the Social Security Administration (SSA). She is also accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Practice areas include Social Security disability, VA disability, bankruptcy, and wills and estates.

She has a wealth of knowledge about disability from extensive field experience at the Disability Determination Services, and at the Office of Hearings Operations as a Hearing Office Director, Supervisory Attorney, and Senior Attorney, and at Social Security National Headquarters as Deputy Director, Branch Chief. Ms. Schaefer know how the system works and will help you get the benefits you need.

Valparaiso University School of Law

J.D. (1988) | Law

1985 - 1988

Indiana University - Indiana University-Bloomington

B.A. (1984) | English

1980 - 1984

Owner

Cardea Law Group, LLC

2019 - Current

We will provide you with advice and guidance throughout your case. We will advocate on your behalf and make a comprehensive presentation of your case. We know how the system works and can cut through complicated bureaucratic procedures to help you win your case.

Deputy Director, Branch Chief

Social Security Administration

2006 - 2019

Provided disability policy advice to SSA executives. Also led research and drafting of regulations, rulings and policy guidance.

Hearing Office Director, Supervisory Attorney

Social Security Administration

1991 - 2006

Supervised attorneys and paralegals in Social Security hearing offices.

Trial Attorney

Emerick and Diggins, PC

1988 - 1991

Trial attorney in a general practice law firm.

Helping the homeless and others facing barriers with Social Security Disability applications and claims

National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR)

November 16, 2022

Evaluation of Symptoms in Disability Claims, Social Security Ruling 16-3p, Chronic Fatgue Advisory Committee, Washington, D.C.

May 18, 2016

Health and Human Services

Drug Addiction and Alcoholism (DAA) and Disability, National Association of Disability Representatives Conference, Washington, D.C.

March 15, 2014

National Association of Disability Representatives

Accredited Attorney

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

2020

Commissioner’s Award for Outstanding Performance in Medical Policy

Social Security Administration

2016

Indiana State Bar  # 14112-64

Member

Current

American Bar Association

Member

Current

Alabama State Bar

Member

Current

NOSSCR

Member

Current

Alabama

Alabama State Bar Association

ID Number: 9216G15Y

Since 2020

Indiana

Indiana Supreme Court

ID Number: 14112-64

Since 1988

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Accredited

ID Number: https://www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/accredpeople.asp

Since 2020

• Free Consultation
• Credit Cards Accepted
• Contingent Fees

• Veterans Administration Disability Law

Q. Is it good if I checked my social security status claim online and it says ssa is reviewing to see if i still meet nonme

January 11, 2024

A: It is best to wait for the Administrative Law Judge decision to make sure you are approved for SSI disability. The online information is fine as a general guide, but it is not the official decision. The decision will specify if you meet the medical requirements for disability and, if so, set out the established onset date when your disability began. For SSI you must also meet the income and resource limits in addition to being medically disabled. Social Security will conduct an interview with you about your countable income and resources to make sure you meet the eligibility requirements. Resources are limited to $2,000 for an individual. Once you have both decisions - medically disabled and limited income and resources - then you will receive any back pay you are due in a couple of installments along with a monthly SSI check. The monthly maximum Federal amount for 2024 is $943 for an eligible individual. This amount may be reduced based on your living situation. See https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/spotlights/spot-one-third-reduction.htm. Here is some good general information about SSI at https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-understanding-ssi.htm. Also, when you get SSI, you will also get Medicaid and that is good news. ... Read More

Q. What do i do if my mom keeps opening my mail?

January 5, 2024

A: It is a good idea to set up a bank account for yourself and direct that your Social Security benefit payments be directly deposited into your account. It is more secure than having a paper check mailed to your address. You can do this by creating a My Social Security account and then set up direct deposit once you have your bank account established. For more information about how to do this see https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/?gclid=CjwKCAiA7t6sBhAiEiwAsaieYvVXLY5CD2tictMqXPYRTD-urx-obncrBQIVNFL2_ctriawBoOCRZhoCWPEQAvD_BwE.

While you are at the bank, you may also want to set up an ABLE account for yourself. This is a tax-free savings account used to cover qualified disability expenses. Social Security does not count the first $100,000. Only assets in the ABLE account above $100,000 count as a resource. See https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/spotlights/spot-able.html. It can be very advantageous to you when saving for your future.

If you are receiving SSI, then you will need to know about how deeming works. Your SSI payment may be reduced by one-third if you live in your mom's household throughout a month and you do not pay for the food and shelter you get. See https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/spotlights/spot-one-third-reduction.htm. You can make arrangements with your mom about paying your fair share of the household expenses and avoid the deeming reduction. Report any changes in your living situation to Social Security right away. See https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-report-ussi.htm. ... Read More

Q. May I still get a lawyer even if my disability process is almost complete I filed back n 2020 a still waiting it is hard

September 1, 2023

A: Yes, you have a right to be represented and you can hire a lawyer to represent you at any point of the disability process. Here is general information from Social Security at https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10075.pdf.

Locate a lawyer using Justia's "Find a Lawyer". Ask a lawyer for a free consultation so you can talk about your particular case and find out what the lawyer's approach would be. Once you have found an experienced disability lawyer you want to hire, appoint the lawyer with signed Appointment of Representative and Fee Agreement forms. Most lawyers charge a contingent fee of 25% of your back pay if you win your case. If you do not win, the lawyer would not charge a fee. ... Read More