From Policy to Practice: The Appeals Council Since SSR 24-3p – NOSSCR 2026 Fall National Conference – Track II (Presented by National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives)

Erica Cortizas | Genex Services, LLC

Since being admitted to practice in 2001, Erica has practiced primarily in the area of Social Security Disability Benefits and Workers Compensation.

• Professional Involvement

She has previously spoken at NOSSCR and FOSSCR conferences and has represented thousands of claimants at hearings.

• Experience

Erica currently works for Genex Services, LLC where she handles mostly referrals from LTD companies, so she has the benefit of being able to appeal a large number of cases to the Appeals Council. Her senior managers are also regular speakers at NOSSCR. Erica appreciates the opportunity to share her findings from Appeals Council decisions since the implementation of SSR 24-3p in January of 2025.

Sarah Deaver, Esq., Senior Director for Disability Programs | Enlyte

Sarah Deaver, Esq. serves as the Senior Director for Disability Programs at Enlyte, where she oversees the entire Social Security program as well as the Disability Absence and Ticket to Work divisions from an operations and customer perspective.

• Education & Credentials

She holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Memphis School of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Emory University. Sarah is licensed to practice law and a registered nurse in the state of Georgia.

• Recognition & Leadership

Additionally, as the head of legislative affairs with more than 17 years of diversified Social Security experience, she leads the department on emerging enforcement trends and regulatory interpretations before they impact case outcomes. Her workshops on strategic case development have been particularly valuable for her team navigating complex or changing fact patterns in the evolving disability landscape.

• Experience

Drawing from her unique combination of legal practice, nursing expertise, and claims management leadership, Sarah has developed a systematic approach to translating complex regulatory shifts into actionable strategies for practitioners. Working as a licensed attorney and registered nurse, Sarah brings an interdisciplinary perspective to program integrity issues and medical evidence development—offering practitioners a blueprint for excellence in an increasingly complex field.

SESSION 1 – From Policy to Practice: The Appeals Council Since SSR 24-3p | 1:00pm – 2:00pm

How has the Appeals Council addressed SSR 24-3p since it took effect? A review of recent Appeals Council decisions highlights emerging trends, notable outcomes, and practical lessons for representatives. Based on a review of approximately 100 appeals, this presentation examines Appeals Council decisions involving a wide range of age categories, past relevant work backgrounds, and appellate issues. When SSR 24-3p was first introduced, there was considerable interest in how it would influence Appeals Council review. However, the recent Appeals Council decisions examined suggest that the Council has generally continued to focus on other appeal issues. These decisions provide useful insight for representatives evaluating whether to pursue Appeals Council review and what recent Appeals Council decisions may mean for appeals after SSR 24-3p.