$36,000 tax-free net is fairly close to $55,000 taxed gross at a day job. To pocket $36,000, you'd have to work at a $55,000 job and have a total withholding of about 34%. Add up health insurance, a 401k contribution, and taxes depending on the state and locality...you might just be in the neighborhood.
And to keep the post on topic, a development letter could be an advisory "we're still working on your claim" letter or it could be one that matters...the difference is the "IMPORTANT - reply needed" header near the top. Those are usually due process letters that propose an action and give you 60 days to react.
-CHD505