2026 NADR CONFERENCE SEssion
In this practical session, Laurel Marois Ackerman and Michele Anderson Marois share proven strategies for conducting effective Social Security disability intakes. Participants will learn how to screen cases efficiently, structure intake interviews, manage challenging client dynamics, and gather the information needed to evaluate a case while building client trust from the start.
Recorded on March 24, 2026 in Plano Texas
The intake process is where every Social Security disability case truly begins. In this practical session, Laurel Marois Ackerman, Esq., and Michele Anderson Marois, ADR, EDPNA, share real-world strategies for transforming the intake process from a routine administrative task into a powerful tool for case evaluation, client management, and long-term case success.
Drawing on decades of combined experience interviewing disability claimants, the presenters walk through how to structure an intake that gathers the information you actually need while building trust with clients from the very first conversation. They demonstrate how to quickly screen potential cases, collect key information efficiently, and structure intake interviews in a way that allows representatives to identify strengths, weaknesses, and potential case barriers early in the process.
The session also tackles one of the biggest challenges representatives face: managing different types of clients during intake interviews. From talkative clients who go off on tangents to guarded claimants, overwhelmed applicants, or dominant family members, the presenters provide practical techniques to keep interviews on track while maintaining rapport. Participants will leave with concrete tools, interview structures, and workflow strategies that can improve efficiency, reduce follow-up work, and set both the representative and the client up for success from day one.
After completing this course, participants will be able to:
- Explain the key goals of an effective disability intake, including efficient case screening and strategic information gathering.
- Identify essential questions to ask during lead screening to quickly determine whether a potential case should move forward.
- Structure intake interviews to gather critical case information while maintaining control of the conversation.
- Apply techniques for managing different client types, including talkative, guarded, overwhelmed, or minimizing claimants.
- Implement strategies to collect key background information before the intake appointment to improve efficiency and reduce follow-up.
- Use practical interview techniques to build rapport, manage expectations, and educate clients about the disability process.
