Social Security has set a guideline in which it makes evaluations on disability claims. Before going through the disability process it is important to understand how Social Security will make an evaluation and decision. Here is a more in-depth look at that process. Disability Evaluation Under Social Security Disability Evaluation Under Social Security has been… Read more »
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Republicans Are bailing On Senate Healthcare Bill
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had grand plans for the Senate to vote on its version of a healthcare bill that would replace the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) prior to Congress’ 4th of July recess, but that never happened. We are well past the 4th of July now and there seems to be even less… Read more »
The Backlog Is Growing Larger
We knew it was going to happen; it was just a matter of time how noticeable it would become. The backlog for people waiting for Social Security disability hearings has grown and is growing and the wait times for a hearing and hearing decisions is doing the same thing. There are now more than 1.1… Read more »
Waive Goodbye To Social Security Benefits If You Are In Prison
A couple of recent news articles highlighted the fact that if you are behind bars, or are supposed to be behind bars you are not entitled to Social Security benefits. These two very different stories illustrate that fact how you can get there in two very different ways. This story from the Philadelphia Inquirer is… Read more »
Why do I care about Chained CPI-U?
While individual Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB) are determined based on the amount individuals have paid into the system over time, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is need based, and cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) in maximum amounts are determined based on a formula set by Congress. There have recently been proposals to change the way this COLA is calculated. The formula set… Read more »
The Social Security Administration’s Social Media Efforts
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has made numerous efforts to connect with people by using social media to provide information regarding the agency and the services it offers. For people looking for information on Social Security Retirement, Disability, or Survivors benefits the SSA now offers downloadable podcasts and webinars featuring different topics. The webinars offer… Read more »
Appeals Council Status Now Available Online
The Social Security Administration recently added a new service that would allow Social Security disability representatives to determine the status of an Appeals Council case. If a claimant’s Social Security disability case is denied by an Administrative Law Judge, that decision can be appealed to something known as the Appeals Council. The Appeals Council is… Read more »
The Social Security Disability Denial Letter
These days we don’t receive a lot of positive information or news from the mail. Typically we receive bills or junk mail, but no longer do we receive letters, postcards or even checks in the mail like we used to. This has all been replaced by e-mail, text messaging, Twitter, Facebook and direct deposit. It… Read more »
How Changing Financial Situations Can Impact Your SSI
There are two main types of disability programs Social Security offers for people who are disabled and unable to work. These programs are Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Social Security Disability Insurance pays disabled workers monthly benefits based on how much they have paid into Social Security through taxes, while… Read more »
My claim has been selected by the Quality Review Board?
After you’ve filed a claim for Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) with the Social Security Administration (SSA) your claim will be transferred to a state disability agency for a medical determination. In Minnesota and many other states that state agency is called Disability Determination Services (DDS). There is at least one… Read more »
