Earlier this year the Senate Special Committee on Aging reported that Social Security closed more than 20 local field offices within the last year thus reducing access to retirement and disability services the agency provides. Many other organizations picked-up on this story and suggested this was a master plan by Social Security to, in the… Read more »
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News Report Attempts To Rile Taxpayers
The Associated Press recently released a story about Social Security disability judges “improperly” approving disability cases over the last seven years, which has cost the American taxpayers $2 billion. This blog is not an attempt to justify these judges’ actions, but is intended to provide some context. The story is based on a government report,… Read more »
Filing A Disability Claim After Someone Dies
At our law office sometimes the unfortunate happens, one of our clients actually passes away while they are in the middle of a Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claim. There are many reasons that contribute to this, namely the severity of the claimant’s conditions, but also because claimants have to wait for the better part… Read more »
New Initiative to Expedite Veteran Claims Launched
About a month ago the Social Security Administration announced a new initiative to expedite the processing of disability claims for veterans, who have a Veteran’s Affairs (VA) disability compensation rating of 100 percent, Total and Permanent (P&T). Earlier this month Social Security actually launched the initiative. The idea is to consider veterans who file claims… Read more »
Social Security Disability and Early Retirement
Despite the fact that Social Security disability and Social Security retirement are two different programs, those who seek benefits from these two programs may not be aware that you cannot collect both Social Security disability and Social Security retirement at the same time. This is better understood when you realize that Social Security Disability Insurance… Read more »
What Comes First Stopping Work Or Social Security Disability?
Call it the chicken or the egg scenario about what comes first, but Social Security disability and working is along the same lines. We receive calls all the time from people who say they are unable to work because of their disabilities, but they are contradicting themselves because they are currently working fulltime when they… Read more »
What Happens When I Turn Retirement Age?
Those who are collecting Social Security disability benefits due to medical conditions that prevents them from working at a substantial level probably have wondered at least once or twice about what may happen to their benefits once they reach the full Social Security retirement age. The main things they wonder about is will their disability… Read more »
Rules About Same Sex Survival Benefits
Although Social Security is federally regulated agency, its rules relating to survivor’s benefits for same sex couples differs depending on which state you live in. That means that in 34 states where same sex marriage is legal that survivor benefits will be granted to the widow or widower of a same sex spouse, but that… Read more »
Technical denials for Disability Insurance Benefits and Supplemental Security Income Claims
When you file a claim with the Social Security Administration (SSA) for Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, the SSA will assess whether or not you meet the technical requirements for either program. If you do not meet the technical requirements for DIB or SSI you will be denied. If you… Read more »
What is the Status of My Case?
The Social Security disability process can be long and drawn-out. The majority of Social Security disability claims take up to two years before there is a final resolution. Due to the amount of time it takes for a Social Security disability case, most applicants inquire about the status of their case several times during the… Read more »
