Erika M. v. Frank Bisignano, Commissioner of Social Security

BACKGROUND

Plaintiff applied for disability insurance benefits and supplemental security income on March 21, 2023, alleging disability beginning October 31,

1 The Court partially redacts Plaintiff’s name in compliance with Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 5.2(c)(2)(B) and the recommendation of the Committee on Court Administration and Case Management of the Judicial Conference of the United States. 2021. See Dkt. 11, Administrative Record (“AR”) 1022-31.2 Both claims were denied initially on March 28, 2023, see AR 866-85, and upon reconsideration on February 8, 2024, see AR 886-909. Thereafter, Plaintiff requested and received a hearing before an administrative law judge (“ALJ”) on September 4, 2024. See AR 830-68. The ALJ issued an unfavorable decision on October 3, 2024. See AR 23-47. The ALJ followed the five-step sequential evaluation process for determining whether an individual is disabled. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a), 416.920(a). At step one, the ALJ found that Plaintiff had not engaged in substantial gainful activity since October 31, 2021, the alleged onset date. See AR 28. At step two, the ALJ found that Plaintiff had the severe impairments of “systemic lupus…