Robert Kram had been awarded Social Security disability benefits for chronic schizophrenia starting in 1970. In 1982 his monthly payments ceased because a policy initiated by President Reagan determined that Kram’s condition had significantly improved.

Living with his parents neither Kram, nor his parents, knew how to appeal the decision. Finally, in 1995, his sister began to investigate what alternatives her brother had for possible disability payments. She pursued the 8-step social security revaluation process to determine if a person has continued to be disabled.

Because of Kram’s sister’s determination he has been awarded approximately $150,000 in back payments.

It is rare for a 25-year-old case to be reopened and as Kram’s sister says, “…people (should) stick with their cases, in the long run it could be successful.”