Kerie P. Stone, PC, Attorney at Law

10/07/2026

I’m seeing a tremendous amount of misinformation about Social Security from people holding themselves out as experts.

I am an attorney who has practiced Social Security Disability law for many years and previously worked as an attorney and supervising staff attorney for SSA. One thing all those years of experience have taught me is that blanket statements about Social Security are often wrong. The rules are complicated, there are exceptions, and individual circumstances matter.

Sometimes the correct answer really is “it depends.” And sometimes the responsible answer is “I don’t know without knowing more.” I would much rather tell someone that than give a confident answer that is wrong.

If you rely on Social Security information you see online, verify it with SSA or a qualified Social Security attorney or EDPNA (Eligible for Direct Payment Non-Attorney representative). And even then, ask questions.

And please don’t pay someone for basic information that SSA provides for free.

Confidence is not the same thing as expertise.

09/11/2026

I find myself reflecting on 9/11/2001 and on the many people whose lives were forever changed by it. Among them are clients I have represented who are first responders, members of the military, and veterans. For some, their service on and after 9/11 eventually contributed to serious illnesses and disabilities. Others became my clients for entirely different reasons, but so many carry their own 9/11 stories.

My husband has his own story as a civilian who ran through the dust cloud that day. He stopped to help someone who was injured, even as others were helping him. To me, that is heroism. These are stories he rarely tells, and ones I have pieced together over nearly 25 years.

Over the years, I have found that many people can speak more easily about life-threatening physical illnesses than they can about what happened to them on 9/11.

Some stories are told often. Others are spoken about only rarely. But they all weigh heavily.

Today, I thank those who served, responded, helped, protected, and sacrificed — and remember those who never had the opportunity to come home.

We will never forget.

08/25/2026

Two people can have the same diagnosis, the same limitations and even the same occupation — and have very different long-term disability policy cases.

Why?

Because with long-term disability, the policy matters.

Definitions of disability, benefit periods, limitations, offsets and exclusions can vary significantly.

Before evaluating an LTD claim, read the policy. Then read it again.

08/04/2026

Medicare eligibility for people collecting Social Security Disability.

SSDI beneficiaries automatically qualify for Medicare coverage after a waiting period; what to know about benefits, costs and the terms of coverage.

08/03/2026

⚾ If my work as a disability attorney had a baseball position, I would probably be batting cleanup.

One of my favorite moments in a Social Security disability hearing comes after the Administrative Law Judge has finished asking questions.

That’s when it’s my turn.

That’s when I have already listened for what’s missing. I get to fill in the gaps, ask the follow-up questions that matter, and make sure the record tells my client’s story as completely and accurately as possible.

In baseball, a cleanup hitter is measured by RBIs—by recognizing opportunities and bringing runners home. Sometimes you step to the plate and realize your teammates have done a terrific job getting runners into scoring position. In my practice, there are hearings where the medical evidence is strong, the testimony is consistent, and everything has been put in place to present an exceptional case. Those are the moments every cleanup hitter hopes for. If the opportunity is there, you want to be ready to hit a grand slam. If there aren’t “three men on,” I’m still going to do everything I can. My preparation for that starts long before the hearing. Athletes are made in the off-season, and I start making a case from day one.  

That’s how I approach every hearing: be prepared, recognize the opportunity, and make the most of it.



Your Social Security Disability attorney Personal attention in every case

07/22/2026

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Da5aYtuOKSW/?igsh=cnFpazE0eXk0MjZk

07/16/2026

Here’s what ChatGPT has to say about me and my firm.

www.keriestone.com 

04/29/2026

Did you receive a Function Report from the Social Security Administration?

Many people feel overwhelmed when they open SSA paperwork — especially the Function Report, which asks detailed questions about how your medical conditions affect your daily activities, ability to work, and everyday life. How you answer these forms can make a major difference in your case.

That’s why our firm uses a specialized program to assist clients with many SSA forms, and especially the Function Report. The system is intuitive and helps organize your information based on your medical conditions, symptoms, and medications. It can even provide suggested responses to help you think through important details you may not realize should be included.

You are always in control of your answers and can change or override any suggestion. The goal is to help you submit complete, accurate responses that fully explain your limitations.

After the forms are completed, an attorney personally reviews everything with you. We often discuss the strongest possible answers and make sure your paperwork clearly tells the story of why you qualify for benefits.

This combination of smart technology and experienced legal guidance has helped produce many successful outcomes for our clients.

If you received a Function Report or any other Social Security forms, contact our office today. We’re here to help.

Social Security Disability attorney, Long Island, NY. Personal attention in every case.

04/23/2026

Today at the NOSSCR conference, I learned two important things about how people find legal help today:

• With both Google and consumers using AI, thoughtful reviews that explain why a law firm was helpful matter more than simply having a large number of reviews that say very little.

• Genuine, detailed feedback helps others who may be searching for the right attorney.

I want to sincerely thank my clients who have taken the time to write kind, honest reviews about their experiences working with me. Your words mean so much to me and help others in the process. I do understand that some people do not want to share details but they are willing to write a five star review. I appreciate those as well. I’m simply stating that I’ve learned that the algorithm recognizes the great reviews that I have. 

other topic that came up was whether people really go on Facebook and say how happy they are with their attorney. My answer is a resounding yes.

• To everyone who recommends me, refers friends and family, or shares kind words online—thank you. Your trust and support never go unnoticed.

Feel free to contact us for a consultation about your claim for disability benefits. 

04/21/2026

Attending the NOSSCR (National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives) conference virtually today. It’s always valuable to continue learning and staying current on changes in Social Security Disability law. Having previously spoken at this conference, it’s especially meaningful to now attend as a participant and gain new insights from colleagues across the country.

One statement from today’s program really stood out:

Work is evidence.

Many people believe that if they earn below Social Security’s monthly earnings guidelines, working will not affect their disability claim. That is not always the case.

The issue is often not just the amount earned. Any work activity may be considered evidence of ability and may be used by Social Security when evaluating a claim.

In other words, before working while a disability case is pending, it is important to understand that the decision can have consequences beyond income alone.

Every case is different, but anyone serious about pursuing benefits should think carefully before working during the claims process. Trying to do some work is not out of the question and can be healthy for many people, but there is not a cut and dried answer.