The National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representatives (NOSSCR) provided updated information on wait times for Social Security disability hearings as of the end of January 2015. The news is not pretty. Despite Social Security’s move to inform all claimants who are waiting for a disability hearing that Social Security holds the right to decide… Read more »
Blog
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 »
How Impairment Related Work Expenses Impact SGA
A common term you will hear Social Security disability insiders refer to is SGA, which stands for Substantial Gainful Activity. This is a standard Social Security created to determine, regardless of someone’s impairments, whether someone can earn enough money to live on, or if they fall short of this amount, should they be considered disabled…. Read more »
Online Services Available for Social Security Disability Applicants
Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, announced the agency is expanding the services available with a Social Security account. This is a personalized online account that people can use beginning in their working years and continuing throughout the time they receive Social Security benefits. More than 60 million Social Security beneficiaries and Supplemental Security… Read more »
Class Action Suit Highlights Problems With CE Exams
Three plaintiffs who were denied Social Security disability benefits filed a class action lawsuit in federal district court in San Francisco against the Social Security Administration over Social Security’s use of a “disqualified” doctor. The suit suggested that the reports this doctor wrote to Social Security were “deficient” and referenced tests that were never performed… Read more »
An Example Why It’s Easy To Get Frustrated With Social Security
There is no doubting that Social Security provides some great programs and resources for retirees, the disabled and the poor, but anyone who has gone through a Social Security disability case knows how easy it is to get frustrated with the government agency. This blog is not to deflect any of the frustration, but… Read more »
Social Security Offers Access to Your Own Online Account
Anyone who has ever tried to call a Social Security office knows the frustration with how long you have to hold before you can actually reach a live person to talk to. Recent news from the Social Security Administration doesn’t promise to improve that service, but a new enhanced online service might enable you to… Read more »
Proving Pain
Proving pain is often assessed by determining the credibility of an individual’s statements. Social Security Ruling 96-7p sets forth the framework for evaluating symptoms and evaluating the credibility of an individual’s statements. Social Security Ruling 96-7p states in pertinent part: In recognition of the fact that an individual’s symptoms can sometimes suggest a greater level… Read more »
