Blog

Using Medicaid as a Key to Driving Down the Cost of the Affordable Care Act

As many times as Republican federal legislators have tried to repeal, the Affordable Care Act (often times characterized as Obamacare) survives. The intent of the Affordable Care Act is to provide healthcare access to people who otherwise aren’t able to afford it. During the 2012 election, an argument was consistently presented by high profile Republican… Read more »

Social Security – Wounded Warriors Program

According to Armytimes.com, a Fort Riley soldier was recently sentenced to prison for Social Security disability fraud. James Scott Nickerson was ordered to pay $72,000 in restitution to the Social Security Administration. Nickerson first applied for disability benefits in October 2009 under the Wounded Warrior Program but continued to receive disability benefits while working for… Read more »

A Look Inside The Appeals Council

One of the worst days a Social Security disability claimant can face is when they open their mailbox and an unfavorable decision from the Administrative Law Judge arrives a short while after their disability hearing. An unfavorable decision means the ALJ found the applicant not disabled. After waiting two years to get to this phase,… Read more »

Fraud Is Not Rampant In Social Security Disability Program

Anyone who follows the news regularly has probably heard about a recent case in New York where 130 people were arrested for participating in a Social Security disability scam that resulted in unlawful payments of $20 million. The case involved former New York City police and firefighters who claimed they suffered from mental health disabilities… Read more »

New Initiative Launched To Save Social Security Disability

Two former congressmen have teamed-up on a bipartisan basis to collect ideas on how to reform the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program before benefit cuts are slated to begin toward the end of 2016. Former Rep. Jim McCrery, R-LA and Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D. have a combined 40 years worth of knowledge of how… Read more »

Social Security Confirmation It Will Resume Mailing Statements

A couple of weeks ago we reported that Social Security would scrap its ban on mailing Social Security statements to workers, a practice that began in 2011, and now the government agency has confirmed that report. “We have listened to our customers, advocates and Congress, and renewing the mailing of the statement reinforces our commitment… Read more »

Social Security Administration Medical Reviews (After Being Awarded)

According to the Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits will continue as long as you are disabled. However, the law requires that your case be periodically viewed to see if you are still disabled. How often your case is reviewed depends on whether your condition is expected to improve. The frequency of reviews depends on the nature and severity of… Read more »

Why do I need a Representative Payee?

According to the Social Security Administration (SSA) there can be several reasons why Social Security decides someone needs a payee. Generally it is because SSA has information that indicated a claimant needs help in managing money and meeting current needs. Your payee receives your payments on your behalf and must use the money to pay for your… Read more »

Social Security and Quality Assurance Reviews

One lightly discussed topic in the area of Social Security disability law is something known as Quality Assurance Reviews. When an applicant applies for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) that claim is processed and sent to a state agency for a medical determination. A person at the disability determination agency… Read more »