Sanchez

MEMORANDUM DECISION AND ORDER

Plaintiff Francisca Sanchez filed a complaint on April 19, 1999, seeking review of the Commissioner’s decision denying her application for disability benefits. The plaintiff filed a motion for summary judgment on September 13, 1999, and the defendant filed a motion to remand and opposition to plaintiffs summary judgment motion on December 1, 1999. The plaintiff filed a reply on December 10,1999.

BACKGROUND

I

On January 11, 1995, the plaintiff applied for disability benefits under Title II of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 423 , and under the Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) program of Title XVI of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1382 (a), claiming an inability to work since December 12, 1994, due to major depression. Certified Administrative Record (“A.R.”) 55-64, 82. The plaintiffs applications were initially denied on March 14, 1995, and were denied following reconsideration on April 20, 1995. A.R. 65-78. The plaintiff then requested an administrative hearing, which was held before Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) Lawrence D. Wheeler on June 3, 1997. A.R. 40, 79-80. On November 1, 1997, the ALJ issued a decision finding that the…