
Susan Michele Schaefer
Cardea Law Group, LLC
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
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- Indiana University - Indiana University-Bloomington
- B.A. (1984) | English
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- Owner
- Cardea Law Group, LLC
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- 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
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- 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
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- Supervised attorneys and paralegals in Social Security hearing offices.
- Trial Attorney
- Emerick and Diggins, PC
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- 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)
- Evaluation of Symptoms in Disability Claims, Social Security Ruling 16-3p, Chronic Fatgue Advisory Committee, Washington, D.C.
- Health and Human Services
- Drug Addiction and Alcoholism (DAA) and Disability, National Association of Disability Representatives Conference, Washington, D.C.
- National Association of Disability Representatives
- Accredited Attorney
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Commissioner’s Award for Outstanding Performance in Medical Policy
- Social Security Administration
- American Bar Association
- Member
- Current
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- Indiana State Bar  # 14112-64
- Member
- Current
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- NOSSCR
- Member
- Current
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- Alabama State Bar
- Member
- Current
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- Alabama
- Alabama State Bar Association
- ID Number: 9216G15Y
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- Indiana
- Indiana Supreme Court
- ID Number: 14112-64
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- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Accredited
- ID Number: https://www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/accredpeople.asp
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- Free Consultation
- Credit Cards Accepted
- Contingent Fees
- Social Security Disability
- Bankruptcy
- Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Debt Relief
- Probate
- Probate Administration
- Estate Planning
- Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills
- Veterans Administration Disability Law
- English: Spoken, Written
- 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
- 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 ... Read More
- Q. I have a joint account with my grandma. She's get ssi. Her son is mad I have it. Is her money my money? Technically?
- A: All the funds your grandma receives from SSI is all hers for basic subsistence and she must not have more than $2,000 in countable resources including savings to continue to be eligible. Technically, having power of attorney, or a joint bank account with the person who is receiving benefits is not the same as being appointed as a representative payee. These arrangements do not give you legal authority to negotiate and manage grandma's SSI benefits. If your grandma cannot manage her own SSI benefits, then Social Security will appoint a representative payee. You or someone else can apply to be her representative payee and be approved for this role. For an overview, see https://www.ssa.gov/payee/faqrep.htm?tl=5. ... Read More
- Q. Should my husband apply for disability?
- A: I encourage your husband to consult with an experienced Social Security disability attorney to discuss his particular situation because disability evaluation is more complicated than just considering a person's medical conditions. Many disability attorneys offer a free initial consultation.
As a general overview, Social Security law defines disability as the inability to do any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment or combination of impairments which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or is expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.
In evaluating disability, consideration is ... Read More