Blog

The Consequences of Trying to Hide Income

Last year an Amarillo, TX woman pled guilty in federal court to participating in a scam that allowed her brother-in-law to collect $42,000 worth of Social Security disability payments he was not eligible for because he was working. The woman, who co-owned a concrete business, hired and employed the man who was allegedly collecting fraudulent… Read more »

Can I Receive Benefits if I Live Abroad?

According to the Social Security Administration if you are a U.S. citizen, you can travel to or live in most foreign countries without impacting your Social Security benefits, but there are a few countries where they cannot send Social Security payments. These countries include: Azerbaijan, Belarus, Cuba, Cambodia, Georgia, Kazakstan, Kyrgzstan, Moldova, North Korea, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine,… Read more »

Rare Lung Disease: Obliterative Bronchiolitis Explained

Obliterative Bronchiolitis is a very rare and non-reversible form of obstructive lung disease. When someone suffers from this condition a small airway in the lungs becomes compressed and narrowed by scar tissue or inflammation. In these types of cases, the disease is extremely serious and can be fatal.  Common symptoms of the condition include obstruction… Read more »

Social Security Disability Terms

The Social Security disability process can be lengthy and confusing. The Social Security Administration uses a lot of terms and definitions related to processing of disability claims, so to understand the process a little bit better, here are some terms Social Security uses and their definitions. More specifically, we are looking at the types of… Read more »

How does my living arrangement effect my SSI benefits?

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits are paid to disabled individuals who also have little or no financial resources. Since SSI benefits are paid based on financial need your living arrangement may impact the amount of benefits you are eligible for. The Social Security Administration (SSA) considers where you live and who pays for your food… Read more »

Critical Case Processing Designation Given to Wounded Veterans

Disabled military service members and veterans may be eligible for expedited processing of their claims. This Social Security Administration (SSA) law is outlined in HALLEX I-2-1-40 Critical Cases section. This also provides information for the SSA employees on how to process these types of claims. This special claim processing is reserved for military service members who become… Read more »

What is the Appeals Council?

The Appeals Council was established on March 1, 1940, and designed to ensure the consistency of the hearing process. Currently, the Appeals Council includes about 68 Administrative Appeals Judges, and many hundreds of supporting staff. For Social Security Disability claims, the Appeals Council serves as the final stop in the Social Security Administration’s review process…. Read more »

My Disabilities Can’t Be Seen

This day and age we know it is a dangerous proposition to attempt to label someone as disabled just by looking at them, although in some circumstances a disability is more visible than in other situations. Suppose a claimant for Social Security disability appears at an administrative hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge,… Read more »

Other Benefits You May Not Be Aware Of

The chief complaint for those who have applied for Social Security disability benefits, aside from the high denial rate, is the long wait times to receive decisions from the Social Security Administration. Claimants who have gone through this process realize that financial distress is not far away when you have to wait months or even… Read more »

Will I have to pay taxes on my benefits?

If you receive Social Security Disability, Retirement, or Survivors benefits you may be liable to pay federal income tax on the benefits you receive. Your tax responsibility, if any, depends on your total income. This typically comes into effect if you have other income; such as wages, self-employment income, interest, dividends, etc. if you are… Read more »