Social Security Disability Revealed: Why it's so hard to access benefits and what you can do about it - an insider overview on the inner workings of the Social Security Administration with an in-depth view on applying for Disability benefits, why you might not succeed, and how to make the process easier on yourself.  Now available in paperback, e-book, and audiobook!

Find the book online, or order from your local bookstore!


Amazon (paperback, e-book, and audiobook)

Apple (e-book)

Books2Read (e-book)

Barnes + Noble (paperback and e-book)

Bookshop.org (paperback)

Libro.fm (audiobook)


Check your library app (e.g. Borrow Box, Overdrive, Libby, Hoopla) as it may be available there, too! If not, request that your library get it in paperback, e-book, and audiobook format!


Short bio: Author Spencer Bishins spent over 7 years drafting disability decisions for the Social Security Administration and almost 4 years at the SSA Appeals Council.  This book offers an honest, probing look at the current state of disability benefits, and offers suggestions on how to make the application and appeals process as simple as possible.

To schedule a podcast, interview or a live Zoom Q + A, contact us here.


Read Disability News Wire's book review of Social Security Disability Revealed

Read the Washington Post article on issues with SSA judges and remands

Read the Buffalo News article on dismal SSD timelines

Author interviews:

All Home Care Matters

Almost Retired in Mexico (YouTube)

An Apple a Day (part 1)

An Apple a Day (part 2)

The Art of Medicine

Becoming Bridge Builders

Bipolar Black Girl Podcast

Bleep Bulemia

Bullet Wealth

Calming the Chaos

Caregiver Chronicles

CFO at Home

Coffee Time Again (August 18, 2022)

Coup Save America

Cryin' and Tryin': The Comprehensive Guide

EMBC NETWORK / ihealthradio

Endo Babe

Etch the Edges

Everything is Personal

Fat Chicks on Top

I am Refocused Radio

IC You

Introducing Me

Invisible Not Broken

IzzyLand Uncut

Lean to the Left

Let's Have This Conversation

Love, Forgive, Live

Mind Your Brain Foundation

Money Talk with Tiff

More Than Therapy

Motherhood Unfiltered: It's Going to be Okay

My Blurred Opinion

Navigating Cancer Together

Neurodiverging

Not Allowed to Die

Once Upon a Gene

Organic Matrix

Parenting with Confidence

Peace on Drugs

Persistence U

Politically High Tech

Progress 4 Tomorrow (part 1)

Progress 4 Tomorrow (part 2)

Progress 4 Tomorrow (part 3)

Relatively Normal

Searching for Political Identity

Sex, Drugs, and Jesus

SJ Childs Show

Social Security Disability Podcast (part 1)

Social Security Disability Podcast (part 2)

Social Security Disability Podcast (part 3)

SoloMoms Talk!

Sparkles for Better Mental Health

The Trend with Rtlfaith

The Unladylike Lounge

Two Disabled Dudes

Words of Heart




Articles written by author Spencer Bishins:


What Applying for SSDI Looks Like and How It Hurts Chronically Ill People

(Spoonie Press)



Articles written by editor Allison Bishins:


The Tragedy of the Social Security Disability Program: Can we fix this dehumanizing and wasteful disability benefits system?


What I Wish People Knew about Disability Benefits: And why the whole system is f*cked


"One" Thing You Need to Know about Federal Disability Benefits




Full description of the book

Table of contents

STXBP1 Summit