My Experience With Iowa Social Security Disability Claims

After graduating law school in 1989, I began my career as a lawyer working for the Social Security Administration in its Office of the General Counsel. I did my job well and learned volumes about the workings of Social Security Administration, however, I went to law school to help people who could not help themselves – the poor, the disadvantaged, those at the end of their rope. I left the Social Security Administration and moved to Iowa, where I have been representing disability claimants since 1996. I was appointed to the Board of Directors of NOSSCR–the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives–from 2010 – 2016.

Restoring Hope One by One. That is my goal in representing Social Security disability claimants here in Iowa. I pride myself on providing close, personal attention to all my clients at all stages of the administrative process. I take the time necessary to gather all the facts, assemble all the medical records, and carefully analyze your case. I will help you prepare for your hearing so you that can relax and give your best testimony. I won’t give up on your case. If necessary, I will pursue your appeal all the way to federal court.

State of Admission:
New York (1990), Iowa (1996)

Courts of Admission:
S.D. N.Y.
E.D. N.Y.
S.D. Iowa
N.D. Iowa
8th Cir.,
U.S. Supreme Court

Professional Organizations: National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (“NOSSCR”); American, Federal, NY State, Iowa State, Polk County Bar Associates

Board Membership:

  • NOSSCR, Board of Directors | 2010 – Present
  • Pella Community School District | 2010 – Present
  • Iowa Legal Aid | 2008-2011
  • Pella Public Library, Board Member & President | (2000-2006, 2006)

Recognition:
2009 and 2010 IA Supreme Court – Pro Bono Service commendation US, Dep’t of HHS, Exemplary Perfromance 1992

Presentations:

NOSSCR | Spring 2003 (DC) | Social Sec. Primer | Panel
NOSSCR | Spring 2005 (DC) | Ethics | Co-presented
NOSSCR | Spring 2006 (Boston) | Words of Wisdom (Topic = Obesity; SSR 02-1p) | Panel
NOSSCR | Fall 2006 (Phoenix) | Ethics | Co-presented
NOSSCR | Fall 2007 (St. Louis) | Fees | Co-presented
NOSSCR | Fall 2008 (Los Angeles) | Ethics
NOSSCR | Fall 2009 (San Francisco) | Ethics | Co-presented
NOSSCR | Spring 2011 (Baltimore) | Ethics | Co-presented
NOSSCR | SPring 2012 (Philadelphia) | Ethics | Co-presented
NOSSCR | Spring 2013 (DC) | Aux. Beneficiaries | Co-presented
NOSSCR | Spring 2014 (Indianapolis) | Drug Addiction & Alcoholism – SSR 13-2p | Co-presented
NOSSCR | Fall 2014 (Las Vegas) | Ethics | Co-presented
NOSSCR | Fall 2015 (Denver) | Ethics | Co-presented
NOSSCR | Spring 2016 (Miami) | Ethics | Co-presented
NOSSCR | Spring 2017 (DC) | CDR and Overpayments | Co-presented
NOSSCR | Fall 2017 (Phoenix) | SSR 16-3p | Co-presented
NOSSCR | Spring 2018 (Atlanta) Succession Planning | Co-presented
NOSSCR | Fall 2020 (Virtual) | Ethics | Co-presented
NOSSCR | Spring 2021 (Virtual) | Ethics | Co-presented
8th Cir. NOSSCR | Aug. 2005 (Des Moines) | Ethics & Rapid Fire – Obesity
8th Cir. NOSSCR | Aug. 2006 (Omaha) | Ethics
8th Cir. NOSSCR | Aug. 2008 (Little Rock) | Ethics Co-presented
8th Cir. NOSSCR | Aug. 2009 (Des Moines) | Ethics
8th Cir. NOSSCR | Aug. 2011 (Minneapolis) | Ethics Co-presented & Weighing Medical Evidence
8th Cir. NOSSCR | Aug. 2014 (St. Louis) | Ethics
8th Cir. NOSSCR | Aug. 2015 (Des Moines) | Ethics
8th Cir. NOSSCR | Aug. 2016 (Minneapolis) | All Evidence Regulations

Drake Law School General Practice
Since 1997, annual presentation on 8th Circuit update in Social Security Law

Polk County Bar Association, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
One day CLE | Presented on Social Security issues to local bar (approximately 100 attendees);

Notable Cases:

– Becker v. Asrue, 2009 WL 5158639 (S.D. Iowa 2009) (medical improvement)

– Vander Molen v. Astrue, 2009 WL 1904402 (S.D. Iowa 2009) (law of the case

– Torruella v. Astrue, 2008 WL 4371333 (S.D. Iowa 2008) (third party statements)

– Wood ex rel. Wood v. Barnhard, 2007 WL 98354 (S.D. Iowa 2007) (medical improvement)

– Downs v. Barnhart, 289 F. Supp. 2d 1072 (S.D. Iowa 2003) (SGA and farming)

– Roberts v. Barnhart, 283 F. Supp. 2d 1058 (S.D. Iowa 2003) (Obesity, SR 02-1p).

Though the process of obtaining Social Security disability benefits often is frustrating, it seldom is hopeless. Please contact me if you would like my advice about your claim.

Timothy N. Tripp
Tripp, P.C.
Iowa Disability Lawyer

E-mail Me

Pella Office
810 Washington Street
Pella, Iowa 50219
Phone: 641-628-9343
Toll-free: 800-368-1423
Fax: 641-628-7252

West Des Moines Office
4090 Westown Parkway, Suite E.
West Des Moines, Iowa 50266
Phone: 515-267-0110