(SS) Xiong v. Commissioner of Social Security

I. Introduction

12 Plaintiff Ai Xiong (“Plaintiff”) seeks judicial review of a final decision of the Commissioner 13 of Social Security (“Commissioner” or “Defendant”) denying her applications for disability 14 insurance benefits and supplemental security income pursuant to Titles II and XVI of the Social 15 Security Act. The matter is before the Court on the parties’ briefs which were submitted without 16 oral argument to the United States Magistrate Judge. See Docs. 16, 17. After reviewing the record 17 the Court finds that substantial evidence and applicable law do not support the ALJ’s decision. 18 Plaintiff’s appeal is therefore granted.

II. Factual and Procedural Background2

20 On April 18, 2018 Plaintiff applied for disability insurance benefits and supplemental 21 security income alleging disability as of November 23, 2015. AR 423. The Commissioner denied 22 the applications initially and on reconsideration. Plaintiff requested a hearing which was held 23 before an Administrative Law Judge (the “ALJ”) on September 2, 2020. AR 35–59. On October 24 6, 2020 the ALJ issued a decision denying Plaintiff’s application. AR 11–34. The Appeals Council…