Social Security law states that “[a]n individual shall not be considered to be disabled for purposes of this title if alcoholism or drug addiction would…be a contributing factor material to the Commissioner’s determination that the individual is disabled.” SSA § 223(d)(2)(C). While it is true that drug addiction and alcoholism cannot be considered as an aspect… Read more »
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National Review Attacks A Favorite Target: Social Security
Social Security has always been one of the National Review’s favorite targets as it exemplified in a late October 2014 article titled Dysfunctional Disability Judges. The author states that Social Security judges have run the disability program into the ground and insists that Congressional reports “highlight” allegations of judges “rubber-stamping cases, snoozing on the job,… Read more »
If I Am Approved, How Far Will Social Security Go Back?
The most important part when filing for Social Security starts with the date of application. An applicant can receive benefits back to their date of application and potentially receive retroactive benefits during the year prior to their application date. The second most important factor is the onset date of disability, or when the disability began…. Read more »
What can I do to help my disability claim?
Even if you have representation on your claim for Disability Insurance Benefits or Supplemental Security Income benefits, you can take certain actions that can positively impact your claim. At Greeman Toomey, you will be assigned a case manager who will be working with you closely on your claim. It is important that you keep them… Read more »
No Immediate Change to Trust Fund Projections
Despite the fact that Social Security has projected that depletion of the Social Security Trust Funds has not changed, there is still great concern that unless Congress acts, the Trust Funds will deplete enough where only three-fourths of benefits will be payable after depletion. “The projected year for Disability Insurance Trust Fund depletion remains 2016,… Read more »
Social Security and Unemployment
The days of people collecting Social Security disability and unemployment compensation at the same time may be coming to an end. In July of 2013 the chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security introduced a bill in congress that would keep people from receiving Social Security disability and unemployment payments at the… Read more »
Social Security Disability and On the Record Decisions
It is true that most people who continue to pursue a Social Security disability claim face the probability of going to a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) because they have been previously medically denied on their claim, but some claimants get approved while waiting for that hearing. Social Security always holds the ability… Read more »
Social Security Disability and On the Record Decisions
It is true that most people who continue to pursue a Social Security disability claim face the probability of going to a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) because they have been previously medically denied on their claim, but some claimants get approved while waiting for that hearing. Social Security always holds the ability… Read more »
What is the difference between Medicare and Medicaid?
Medicaid is a federal and state program that provides health care coverage to low-income people, generally children, pregnant women, parents, the disabled and elderly. Many disabled people receive Medicaid through the Social Security Administration Supplemental Security Income (SSI), welfare based program. Medicaid is administered by each individual state and the federal government sets minimum eligibility… Read more »
Social Security and Special Veterans Benefits
There are more than 9 million veterans receiving Social Security benefits, which means that almost one out of every four adult Social Security beneficiaries has served in theUnited Statesmilitary. Two out of every five recipients either are veterans or reside with family members who are veterans. Fourteen percent of veterans receiving Social Security benefits have… Read more »
