Diana Chaikin

Diana Chaikin

Attorney · Seattle University School of Law

Diana Chaikin is a legal editor specializing in disability law at Nolo. She started writing articles as a freelancer in 2021 and joined the staff in 2022. Diana has worked as a solo practitioner based out of Seattle representing claimants before administrative law judges in Social Security disability hearings.

Education. Diana received a B.A. in Political Science from New York University and a J.D. from Seattle University School of Law, where she served as article editor on the Seattle Journal for Social Justice. During law school, Diana interned at the American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska and Corbis Corporation. She also wrote an article on the Visual Artists Rights Act and how it pertains to outsider artists.

Disability experience. Fresh out of law school, Diana worked as Attorney Advisor for the Social Security Administration Office of Hearings Operations (formerly Office of Disability Adjudication and Review). While there, she worked for several administrative appeals judges to ensure disability decisions met the administration’s standard for quality. She then decided to work on the other side of the bench, successfully representing disability claimants for over 10 years before coming to Nolo.

Goals and interests. Diana finds satisfaction in making complex areas of the law seem intuitive to nonlawyers. She is a member of the Washington State Bar Association and the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR), and is on the board of the Washington Lawyers for the Arts.

Articles by Diana Chaikin

Can Drug or Alcohol Addiction Affect Your Disability Claim?
Social Security can deny you disability benefits when your impairments would go away if you stopped drinking or using drugs,
Defying Gravity and Discrimination: "Wicked" Actress Puts Disability Rights in the Spotlight
Accommodations made to the "Wicked" musical during production can serve as a guide for other creative industries seeking compliance with ADA regulations.
The Four Stage SSDI and SSI Appeal Process
To appeal a denial of Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits, you'll need to follow these instructions.
Getting Disability Benefits for COPD or Asthma
If you have severe symptoms of asthma or COPD that keep you out of work for at least one year, you may qualify for disability.
Social Security Disability Benefits for Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a fairly common condition where a person stops breathing briefly while sleeping.
Your 2025 Guide to Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)
Substantial gainful activity is the level of work that a person without a disability can do.
Does Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Qualify for Disability Benefits?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that causes changes to the nervous system that can make it difficult to work.
Can You Get Disability Benefits for Narcolepsy?
If your narcolepsy significantly affects your productivity at work, you may be able to get disability benefits.
Can Obesity Help Qualify You for Disability?
While obesity alone rarely qualifies for disability benefits, obesity can help you get benefits if it adds to the limitations you suffer from other medical conditions.
Social Security Benefits for Members of Domestic Partnerships and Civil Unions
While same-sex marriage is legal nationwide, domestic partnerships and civil unions vary by state.
<< < 1 2 3 4 5 6 > >>