Social Security Disability Bootcamp: Foundations for Effective Advocacy – 2026 Spring National Conference – Track I (Presented by National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives)

Robyn R. Griffin, Esq., Senior Attorney | Legal Counsel for the Elderly

Robyn R. Griffin is a Senior Attorney with Legal Counsel for the Elderly, where she advocates on behalf of District of Columbia seniors to secure the income, benefits, and services they need to live independently in the community. She assists clients in navigating complex public benefits systems, including Social Security, Medicaid, and Home and Community Based Waiver services. In addition to her client representation work, Robyn trains and mentors volunteers, interns, and attorneys handling these matters, and regularly presents throughout DC to educate residents on the importance of public benefits planning and elder law.

• Education & Credentials

Robyn R. Griffin is a licensed attorney practicing elder law and public benefits law in the District of Columbia. Her practice is concentrated in the areas of Social Security benefits, Medicaid, and Home and Community Based Waiver services — specialized areas of law that require command of complex federal and local regulatory frameworks. (Specific academic credentials are not included in the provided biography.)

• Recognition & Leadership

Robyn is recognized as a trainer, mentor, and community educator within the elder law and public benefits space in Washington, DC. She plays a leadership role within Legal Counsel for the Elderly by developing and supervising volunteers, interns, and fellow attorneys on public benefits matters. Her outreach work — through presentations to DC residents on benefits planning and elder law essentials — reflects her commitment to expanding access to legal knowledge beyond the courtroom and into the communities she serves.

• Professional Involvement

Beyond her direct client representation, Robyn is actively engaged in legal education and community outreach throughout the District of Columbia. She regularly delivers presentations to DC residents on public benefits, elder law, and the tools available to help seniors maintain independence. She also trains and mentors the next generation of legal advocates — volunteers, law student interns, and attorneys — ensuring that high-quality representation for elderly clients is sustained and expanded across the organization.

• Experience

As a Senior Attorney at Legal Counsel for the Elderly, Robyn Griffin represents DC seniors in matters involving Social Security benefits, Medicaid, and Home and Community Based Waiver services. Her work is focused on ensuring that vulnerable elderly clients receive every benefit and service to which they are legally entitled, empowering them to remain in their homes and communities rather than institutional settings. Her practice combines direct legal advocacy with a broader mission of education and capacity-building, making her a central figure in the organization’s efforts to serve DC’s senior population.

I. Identify the Different Types of Social Security Benefits Available to Clients | 9:00am – 9:20am

This segment examines the primary Social Security disability programs, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Attendees will learn the key eligibility requirements, financial criteria, and benefit structures associated with each program. The discussion will help attorneys determine which benefits may be available to their clients and how factors such as work history, income, and disability status affect eligibility.

II. Understand the Stages of the Application Process, Including Initial Application, Reconsideration, and Administrative Hearing | 9:20am – 9:40am

This section breaks down the major stages of the Social Security disability determination process. Participants will learn how claims progress from the initial application through reconsideration and, if necessary, to an administrative law judge hearing. The program will highlight procedural requirements, timelines, and common challenges attorneys must navigate when guiding clients through the system.

III. Apply Best Practices Such as Holistic Client Interviewing, Gathering Medical Information, and Accurate Documentation to Strengthen Applications | 9:40am – 10:00am

Attendees will explore practical strategies for developing strong disability applications from the beginning of a case. The session will cover effective client interviewing techniques, methods for obtaining and organizing medical records, and approaches to documenting functional limitations. Emphasis will be placed on building a thorough evidentiary record that clearly supports a client’s disability claim.

IV. Prepare Effective Appeal Forms, Prehearing Briefs, and Hearing Strategies to Address Common Hurdles | 10:00am – 10:15am

This final segment focuses on advocacy during the appeals stage of Social Security disability cases. Participants will learn how to complete persuasive appeal forms, draft focused prehearing briefs, and develop strategies for presenting cases at administrative hearings. The discussion will also address common obstacles in disability appeals and practical techniques for responding effectively before an administrative law judge.