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 »
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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 »
How to Correct Your Social Security Earnings Record
The Social Security Administration (SSA) keeps track of individual’s earnings records. Earnings are reported to the SSA when you are working and paying FICA taxes. Your earnings will determine your eligibility for disability and retirement benefits. Your earnings will also determine if your spouse or children may be eligible any benefits on your record. The… Read more »
The Dangers of Receiving Overpayments
The majority of people who’ve gone through the process of trying to apply for Social Security disability benefits know how difficult it is to finally start collecting benefits, so it may be somewhat of a surprise that some people actually collect more money than they are entitled to from Social Security. Occasionally Social Security will… Read more »
Notice of Decision – Partially Favorable, What’s that?
There are two types of partially favorable decisions. One is for a closed period of disability. The other is for an alternative disability onset date. A closed period of disability means the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) finds that you have been disabled for only a certain period of time. You will be paid benefits for… Read more »
When Did Social Security Disability Begin?
If history lessons have taught us anything, we should all know the impacts of the Wall Street Market crash of 1929, which led to President Theodore Roosevelt being elected and the enactment of some social and government safety nets for Americans prior to which none were available. In 1935, the Social Security Act was passed… Read more »
