The Neurodivergent Connection / The Curious Storyteller

From denied twice to approved what changed in our SSI case

1h07 | 04/29/2026|

4

Description

SSI Pitfalls: What No One Tells You About Disability Benefits (with Former SSA Attorney Spencer)

Fighting for SSI isn’t simple. I’m exposing the hidden hurdles—and how to avoid costly mistakes that put benefits at risk.

I’ve battled Social Security myself, and I know how confusing and exhausting it can feel—especially with autism, ADHD, or other invisible disabilities. In this episode, I sit down with Spencer, a former Social Security attorney who spent 11 years inside the system writing and reviewing disability decisions. Together, we pull back the curtain on why mental health and neurodivergent claims get denied so often, what the law actually weighs, and how to prepare without getting tripped up by technicalities.

You’ll discover what really drives denials, the role of vocational experts (and why their “jobs list” isn’t about you), and the key moments in an appeal that can change your outcome. I also ask Spencer the questions I wish I had answers to when I first applied—like what “partial wins” mean, when back pay gets reduced, and why waiting can quietly cost you your case.

About the Guest

Spencer is a former Social Security attorney who spent 11 years at the agency—seven writing disability decisions and four reviewing appeals. He’s the author of Social Security Disability Revealed and runs https://www.bishinspublishing.com/ where he educates claimants and professionals on the SSDI/SSI process.

Timestamps

0:02 – Why I call SSI a trap (and my own case)
1:33 – Meet Spencer: 11 years writing and reviewing SSA decisions
6:57 – The mental health gap: why neurodivergent claims face extra scrutiny
10:34 – “It’s not over after approval”: ongoing reviews and common cutoffs
13:13 – The $2,000 asset rule and easy mistakes that end benefits
25:48 – Denied? Your 60-day appeal window and what most people miss
32:53 – Full vs. partial awards and what really affects back pay
42:19 – How disability lawyers get paid (and why you still lead your case)
53:54 – If you’re just starting: the one thing I want you to know
58:32 – When you feel overwhelmed: what to hold onto next

Keywords: Social Security Disability, SSI, SSDI, disability appeal, vocational expert, back pay, autism, ADHD, neurodiversity, mental health, benefits review

Call to action: If this episode helps, share it with a parent, educator, or friend who’s in the thick of it. Subscribe for more accessible conversations around neurodiversity and practical support. Explore Spencer’s resources at bishenspublishing.com, or request his book at your local library.

#Neurodiversity #SSI #DisabilityBenefits #Autism #ADHD

Hosted by Reid Miles.
Conversations unfold naturally — no scripts, no rush.

🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts
🌐 More about the show and past episodes: https://podcast.ausha.co/neurodivergantconnection-thecuriousstroyteller
📩 Guest inquiries & media: Reid@AspergersStudio.com

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

About The Neurodivergent Connection / The Curious Storyteller

Reid Miles Podcasts

Two shows. One curiosity-driven mission: telling human stories that matter.

Hosted by Reid Miles, this podcast feed is home to two distinct but connected conversations.

The Neurodivergent Connection centers neurodivergent voices lived experience, late diagnosis, advocacy, creativity, and the realities of navigating a world not built for autistic minds. These episodes focus on understanding, accessibility, and belonging, grounded in honesty and real conversation rather than clinical distance.

The Curious Storyteller began as a celebration of remarkable people and the stories that shaped them. It has since evolved into deeper, reflective conversations about identity, resilience, reinvention, and the quiet moments that change us. Guests include creators, athletes, leaders, and thinkers not to be interviewed, but to be heard.

Both shows share the same foundation: unscripted conversations, emotional intelligence, and curiosity over performance. This isn’t about polished success stories or neat conclusions — it’s about connection, reflection, and telling the truth while the story is still being written.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

About The Neurodivergent Connection / The Curious Storyteller

Reid Miles Podcasts

Two shows. One curiosity-driven mission: telling human stories that matter.

Hosted by Reid Miles, this podcast feed is home to two distinct but connected conversations.

The Neurodivergent Connection centers neurodivergent voices lived experience, late diagnosis, advocacy, creativity, and the realities of navigating a world not built for autistic minds. These episodes focus on understanding, accessibility, and belonging, grounded in honesty and real conversation rather than clinical distance.

The Curious Storyteller began as a celebration of remarkable people and the stories that shaped them. It has since evolved into deeper, reflective conversations about identity, resilience, reinvention, and the quiet moments that change us. Guests include creators, athletes, leaders, and thinkers not to be interviewed, but to be heard.

Both shows share the same foundation: unscripted conversations, emotional intelligence, and curiosity over performance. This isn’t about polished success stories or neat conclusions — it’s about connection, reflection, and telling the truth while the story is still being written.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Description

SSI Pitfalls: What No One Tells You About Disability Benefits (with Former SSA Attorney Spencer)

Fighting for SSI isn’t simple. I’m exposing the hidden hurdles—and how to avoid costly mistakes that put benefits at risk.

I’ve battled Social Security myself, and I know how confusing and exhausting it can feel—especially with autism, ADHD, or other invisible disabilities. In this episode, I sit down with Spencer, a former Social Security attorney who spent 11 years inside the system writing and reviewing disability decisions. Together, we pull back the curtain on why mental health and neurodivergent claims get denied so often, what the law actually weighs, and how to prepare without getting tripped up by technicalities.

You’ll discover what really drives denials, the role of vocational experts (and why their “jobs list” isn’t about you), and the key moments in an appeal that can change your outcome. I also ask Spencer the questions I wish I had answers to when I first applied—like what “partial wins” mean, when back pay gets reduced, and why waiting can quietly cost you your case.

About the Guest

Spencer is a former Social Security attorney who spent 11 years at the agency—seven writing disability decisions and four reviewing appeals. He’s the author of Social Security Disability Revealed and runs https://www.bishinspublishing.com/ where he educates claimants and professionals on the SSDI/SSI process.

Timestamps

0:02 – Why I call SSI a trap (and my own case)
1:33 – Meet Spencer: 11 years writing and reviewing SSA decisions
6:57 – The mental health gap: why neurodivergent claims face extra scrutiny
10:34 – “It’s not over after approval”: ongoing reviews and common cutoffs
13:13 – The $2,000 asset rule and easy mistakes that end benefits
25:48 – Denied? Your 60-day appeal window and what most people miss
32:53 – Full vs. partial awards and what really affects back pay
42:19 – How disability lawyers get paid (and why you still lead your case)
53:54 – If you’re just starting: the one thing I want you to know
58:32 – When you feel overwhelmed: what to hold onto next

Keywords: Social Security Disability, SSI, SSDI, disability appeal, vocational expert, back pay, autism, ADHD, neurodiversity, mental health, benefits review

Call to action: If this episode helps, share it with a parent, educator, or friend who’s in the thick of it. Subscribe for more accessible conversations around neurodiversity and practical support. Explore Spencer’s resources at bishenspublishing.com, or request his book at your local library.

#Neurodiversity #SSI #DisabilityBenefits #Autism #ADHD

Hosted by Reid Miles.
Conversations unfold naturally — no scripts, no rush.

🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts
🌐 More about the show and past episodes: https://podcast.ausha.co/neurodivergantconnection-thecuriousstroyteller
📩 Guest inquiries & media: Reid@AspergersStudio.com

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

About The Neurodivergent Connection / The Curious Storyteller

Reid Miles Podcasts

Two shows. One curiosity-driven mission: telling human stories that matter.

Hosted by Reid Miles, this podcast feed is home to two distinct but connected conversations.

The Neurodivergent Connection centers neurodivergent voices lived experience, late diagnosis, advocacy, creativity, and the realities of navigating a world not built for autistic minds. These episodes focus on understanding, accessibility, and belonging, grounded in honesty and real conversation rather than clinical distance.

The Curious Storyteller began as a celebration of remarkable people and the stories that shaped them. It has since evolved into deeper, reflective conversations about identity, resilience, reinvention, and the quiet moments that change us. Guests include creators, athletes, leaders, and thinkers not to be interviewed, but to be heard.

Both shows share the same foundation: unscripted conversations, emotional intelligence, and curiosity over performance. This isn’t about polished success stories or neat conclusions — it’s about connection, reflection, and telling the truth while the story is still being written.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

About The Neurodivergent Connection / The Curious Storyteller

Reid Miles Podcasts

Two shows. One curiosity-driven mission: telling human stories that matter.

Hosted by Reid Miles, this podcast feed is home to two distinct but connected conversations.

The Neurodivergent Connection centers neurodivergent voices lived experience, late diagnosis, advocacy, creativity, and the realities of navigating a world not built for autistic minds. These episodes focus on understanding, accessibility, and belonging, grounded in honesty and real conversation rather than clinical distance.

The Curious Storyteller began as a celebration of remarkable people and the stories that shaped them. It has since evolved into deeper, reflective conversations about identity, resilience, reinvention, and the quiet moments that change us. Guests include creators, athletes, leaders, and thinkers not to be interviewed, but to be heard.

Both shows share the same foundation: unscripted conversations, emotional intelligence, and curiosity over performance. This isn’t about polished success stories or neat conclusions — it’s about connection, reflection, and telling the truth while the story is still being written.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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