Complaints

This profile includes complaints for GAR Disability Advocates's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see Find Local Branches.

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• 

  GAR Disability Advocates

  210 Sylvan Ave Ste 1 Englewd Clfs, NJ 07632-2510

• 

  GAR Disability Advocates

  31 Penn Plaza 132 W 31st St Ste 1534 New York, NY 10001

• 

  GAR Disability Advocates

  4830 W Kennedy Blvd Ste 600 Tampa, FL 33609-2584

• 

  GAR Disability Advocates

  PO Box 1044 Englewd Clfs, NJ 07632-0044

• 

  GAR Disability Advocates

  2200 Fletcher Ave Fort Lee, NJ 07024-5005

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/05/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I was contacted by GAR disability immediately after filing what I thought was a disability claim. I signed a contract that I want rescinded because I was duped into thinking it was SSA.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/02/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I applied online over a year ago for disability. Someone from Gar advocate contacted me and asked more questions. I thought they were an agency working with *** until I got the email that I regrettably signed for them to represent me. I regret because I don't feel they are working to assist me efficiently. I've had appointments with specialist that had nothing to do with my reasons for needing disability. I had already went to 2 of these appointments by the time they called me to tell me about the one that they knew about which I already knew I had. I can't ever get in touch with them. Never know who my representative is. I was denied in January. I appealed and days later they called me saying they appealed. I've sent emails that may not have reached whom I trying to contact because I've never been given a name of my representative. I'm on 24 hr oxygen, have COPD, congestive heart failure and have to use a bipap machine to sleep. The setting on the bipap are higher than what people are on ventilators in hospitals. It's been 5 months since the appeal and no one has my case at the determination place. No one is fighting for me or they would have made sure I had someone. I found a lawyer willing to assist me but he can't until Gar revised themselves from my case. I read the complaints and even they revise themselves all of a sudden the case is inactive. Either I need someone willing to help with my case before I'm homeless or I need them to come off my case so I can get some one who will fight for me.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/07/2024

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I called this company thinking it was the *********************** They called me back and quickly got me to sign contracts and forms without fully explaining that they were in fact a representation company and not acting on behalf of the ********************** in my area. I do not want to be represented by this team and would like my case to be closed out immediately.

  Business Response

  Date: 05/10/2024

  Hello:

   

  We acknowledge receipt of this complaint.  Our office spoke with Ms. ** and she advised that she would retract this complaint because we handled the matter.  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/13/2024

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Regards,
  
  ***********

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/05/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Gar disability advocates withdrew their representation for my disability hearing 17 days prior to the set date of January 22, 2024. I was contacted by someone at Social Security informing me of this.
  My original disability claim was denied due to Gar advocates not submitting ANY medical documentation whatsoever! And the only documentation that has been submitted in the 2 years they have represented me is 1 emergency room visit from January 2022!

  Business Response

  Date: 01/08/2024

  We acknowledge receipt of
  Ms. ******* complaint.  Please consider the following.  

  When an individual applies for Social Security disability
  benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) transfers the case to local
  state agencies in order to assist with making a medical determination about
  disability.  Due to this, during the initial and reconsideration stages of
  the application process, it is the SSA's responsibility to collect medical
  evidence about an individual's impairments.  If/when a case reaches the
  Administrative Law Judge level; representatives are required to procure medical
  evidence on an individual's claim.  

  Representatives do not take this obligation lightly. 
  Therefore, it is imperative that claimants maintain constant communication with
  their representative. Upon a review of contemporaneous records that are
  maintained during the ordinary course of business, please note the
  following.  On September 28, 2022, our office filed an initial claim for
  benefits on Ms. ******* behalf.  That application was denied and a subsequent
  appeal was also denied.  A request for hearing was filed on August 22,
  2023.  Please also note that on the following dates, our office attempted
  to contact Ms. *****, but were unsuccessful in our attempts:  10/5/2022, 10/7/2022, 12/2/2022, 12/22/2022,
  1/5/2023, 1/27/2023, 2/6/2023, 2/8/2023, 3/6/2023, 5/19/2023, 5/23/2023,
  8/2/2023, 8/24/2023, 9/11/2023 and 11/6/2023.  It should be noted that we
  did receive an email from Ms. ***** on 2/3/2023 wherein she noted the
  following:  "My phone was shut off...I just received the decision in
  the mail today. Denied! I'm probably going to find another disability advocate
  to work with."

  Having not received a letter from Ms. ***** indicating that she
  no longer wished for GAR to represent her, we continued working on her case in
  the hopes that she would finally contact our office.  When that did not
  occur, we closed her file on October 3, 2023 as it would be impossible to
  represent her before an Administrative Law Judge, having not spoken with her in
  nearly a year.  Please note that when we
  close our client's files, an email is automatically generated advising them of
  such.  Upon a further review of our records, we have not received
  notification that said email was returned as undelivered.  

  Accordingly, we reject Ms. ******* request for compensation.  Our withdrawal had no effect on Ms. *******
  claim or her scheduled hearing date of January 22, 2024.  She may continue the case alone or with the
  aid of another representative.  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 01/09/2024

  
  
  Complaint: ********
  
  
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  
  
  
  Although I did have phone related issues on my end, Gar disability advocates have always had my mailing address for communication with me.  They not once tried to contact me via mail to give me any sort of heads up about not representing me further. I only found out that they withdrew their representation when I was contacted by a social security rep on January 5, 2024, a mere 17 days prior to my scheduled hearing date. 

  Yes, my initial claim as well as my appeal were both denied. The reason for the denials was due to Gar disability advocates not submitted any of my medial documentation whatsoever with the exception of 1 emergency room visit from back in January 2022. I have on several occasions filled out packets of paperwork for Gar disability advocates that included my complete medical history as well as medical release forms for access to my medical records from doctors, specialist,  & emergency room visits. 
  
  
  
  Regards,
  
  
  ********* ***** 

  Business Response

  Date: 01/15/2024

  This is in response to Ms. *****’s rejection of our response
  to her complaint.  Therein, Ms. *****
  states that her claim was denied due to “Gar disability advocates not submitted
  any of my medial documentation whatsoever with the exception of 1 emergency
  room visit from back in January 2022.” 
  [sic]. As indicated in our first response, when a claim is pending at
  the initial and reconsideration level, it is the burden of the SSA to acquire a
  claimant’s medical records.  In addition
  to acquiring medical records, the SSA may ask for additional information from
  the claimant via requests for reports, etc. 
  If the SSA is unable to make a decision based on those records or
  reports, they may require a claimant to attend a consultative examination with
  one of their doctors. Failure to return reports or attend consultative
  examinations typically leads to a case being denied.  A representative’s obligation is to insure
  that the SSA is aware of the claimant’s medical providers and to insure that
  the claimant returns all requested reports and attends all examinations. 

  
  On December 6, 2022, the SSA requested 2 reports from Ms.
  ***** with a 12/16/2022 return-by date.   Copies of these reports were mailed to the
  claimant at the address that GAR has on file. 
  Please note that the nature of these reports is such that they must be
  completed by the claimant.  For example,
  Ms. ***** was requested to complete a function report which details how she goes about completing certain daily tasks.  On January 3, 2023, our office received a
  call from the SSA advising that Ms. ***** had failed to return the
  reports.  On July 12, 2023, Ms. ***** was
  scheduled to attend 2 consultative examinations with the SSA.  Notice of these examinations was also mailed
  to her address.  Ms. ***** failed to
  attend either of these appointments.  On July
  18, 2023, Ms. ***** was mailed another letter from SSA which stated:  “Christine ***** failed to keep any
  consultative exam appointments. The appointments are needed because we do not
  have enough information in file to propose a determination. Please call me no
  later than 07/28/23 to discuss why the appointments weren't kept, and to see if
  another appointment will be granted. Failure to respond by 07/28/23, along with
  failure to attend any consultative exam appointments, will result in the claim
  being closed based on information in file, which will not be to her best
  advantage.”  Ms. *****’s claim was
  subsequently denied on August 7, 2023.  That
  denial reads, in part, “Although you have been requested to furnish additional
  evidence, you have not done so. 
  Therefore, a determination has been made based on the evidence in file.
  The evidence does not show that you are disabled.”

  
  GAR categorically rejects the notion that it was
  responsible for Ms. *****’s claim being denied. 
  As we previously demonstrated, our office attempted numerous times to
  contact Ms. ***** to assist with her claim. 
  While GAR’s main method of communicating with clients is via telephone
  and electronically, it should be noted that Ms. ***** also failed to respond to
  correspondence that was mailed directly to her from the SSA.  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/04/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  *** has been absolutely terrible to work with. I was working with *********************** as my case manager. She had extremely poor communication skills and I had to wait several weeks to get any kind of response even though I called her multiple times in that time period. As my Social Security hearing approached, I again had to call her multiple times to find out what was going on. Finally, she called me back and told me that I went *** (her words), even though I never went anywhere, and that the attorney had withdrawn from my case, even though I hadnt gone anywhere and she, nor anyone else from GAR attempted to contact me. Finally, we got that squared away and I was again under their representation.My Social Security hearing was scheduled for November 28th (the week after Thanksgiving) for an in-person hearing. They were aware I had chosen this option months before my scheduled hearing date as ****** and I discussed this on the phone. The day BEFORE Thanksgiving, ****** called me and said they needed to switch to a phone interview. She, finally on Monday, November 27th, sent me the necessary paperwork needed. They didnt get the paperwork to the *** in time for the switch to happen, so I had to go to my hearing on my own. I had zero representation and I had to postpone my hearing. I was told it could take up to 6 months for a new hearing. It is absolutely ridiculous that this had to happen. *** has been nothing but extremely unprofessional. I have wasted over a year with this sham of a company (look at all of the complaints about them online).I do not want to be represented by GAR nor do I want to pay a fee to GAR has failed to do what they were retained for and none of this is any fault of mine. I now must wait who knows how long for a new hearing because of their incompetence.

  Business Response

  Date: 01/11/2024

  We acknowledge receipt of ****************** complaint.  Please note the following. 

  
  In preparation for his upcoming hearing on November 29,2023, our office had attempted to contact **************** to no avail.  Therefore, we closed ****************** file with our office and advised the ****************************** (***) of our withdrawal.  (Please note that when we close a clients file, an email is sent to our client advising of such.  Upon a review of contemporaneous records that are maintained during the ordinary course of business, we have no record of ***************** email being returned to us as undelivered).  It is important to note that upon advising the hearing office of our withdrawal, our access to ****************** file maintained by the *** was revoked.    

  
  On November 22, 2023, our office re-established communication with *****************  At that time, it was mutually understood that we would undertake representation once again.  However, in order to do so, we needed certain paperwork from ***************** Upon receiving that paperwork, we immediately submitted it to the ***;however it was not acknowledged in a timely manner.  Because this paperwork was not acknowledged,we had no visibility into Mr. ******* file, which would have made representation at a hearing impossible. Accordingly, we advised **************** that we would need to request to have his hearing postponed.  **************** consented to the same.  On the day of ****************** hearing, we learned that our request for postponement had been denied.  By the time that we had been advised of such,it was too late for anyone for our office to travel to **********, ** in order to appear on ****************** behalf.   

  
  On December 1, 2023, we received a voicemail from **************** advising that he no longer wished to utilize our services.  Per his request, we closed his file and advised the *** of our second withdrawal. While we regret the aforementioned circumstances, we have represented **************** since July 2022.  As such,should he ultimately be successful with his claim, we do reserve the right to file a fee petition for the work that was previously performed on his claim.  A copy of such a petition will be sent to **************** and he will have an opportunity to offer additional commentary at that time.  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/28/2023

  Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Deceiving practices pretending

  Business Response

  Date: 12/28/2023

  We acknowledge receipt of **************** complaint.  Please note that our office opened **************** file on 12/19/23 following the receipt of signed documentation from him which enabled us to file his application for disability benefits with the Social Security Administration.  Per his wishes, we are closing his file with our office.  We are unable to provide ************ with his desired settlement of $30.00, as we are unsure what this figure represents.  Our office does not charge a fee for our services unless our clients are successful in winning their disability claims.  As indicated earlier, **************** case was filed on 12/19/2023, and has thus not yet concluded.  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/07/2023

  Type:Customer Service Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I recently tried to sign up for SSI online somehow this company called me back I thought that it was Social Security now I cannot seem to get a hold of them so I am filing here to let them know I no longer want their assistance I thought when they called me they was from Social Security so I am sending them a letter also Im trying to contact them by phone please release me from your business they did not contact me back and I have no need for them and do not want them handling my Social Security case

  Business Response

  Date: 12/18/2023

  We acknowledge receipt of **************************** complaint.  Per his wishes, we have closed his file with our office.  Thank you.  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:11/16/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  They contacted me pretending to represent them selves as the social security office after I filed my claim in ********************************************************************************** to sign on the lines

  Business Response

  Date: 11/16/2023

  We acknowledge receipt of ******************** complaint.  Per her request, our office contacted her at **************; however, we were unsuccessful in our attempt.  We also sent an email to the claimant at *********************.  We await her response.  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:11/15/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I called SSA office to make sure they knew my claim is for Compassionate Allowance only to find out my claim was submitted by a third party I was trying to apply for disability and was directed to this company thinking it was the **** I DO NOT WANT TO BE REPRESENTED BY GAR Advocates. I now have to go to the local SSA office and show my ID since SSA put application on hold as not authorized application. I dont want to be represented or charged by GAR advocates. This is a sneaky way to get clients who think they are speaking with SSA

  Business Response

  Date: 11/16/2023

  We acknowledge receipt of ****************************** claim.  Per her request, we have closed her file with our office.  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 11/16/2023

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Regards,
  
  *************************************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/31/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I was called and thought it was social security office I answered question and signed documents I didnt know it was people to represent me I dont want youre services and want youre services canceled I was called today and dont want youre services thank you

  Business Response

  Date: 11/01/2023

  We acknowledge receipt of **************** complaint.  Per his wishes, we have closed his file and advised the *** of the same.