Blog

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 »

The Social Security Administration recently celebrated its 20th anniversary since it first launched www.socialsecurity.gov, its “award winning website.” Although calling it an “award winning” website might be a tad self congratulatory, the website has made accessing SSA’s services much easier. Social Security launched its website on May 17, 1994. Back then everyone didn’t have in-home Internet access… Read more »

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 »

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 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 »

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 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 »

Although much of President Barack Obama’s $4 trillion budget for 2016 focuses on defense and domestic spending, the president has not forgotten about Social Security, and especially the agency’s disability program, which is projected to be unable to pay full disability payments to disabled workers as early as next year. Within the president’s budget are… Read more »

A recent report coming out of Southern Illinois identified a terrifying episode where a Jackson County, Illinois man has been indicted for threatening to kill an employee of the Social Security Administration. It is an appalling story, but unfortunately not all that surprising. According to WSIL, the ABC affiliate in Carbondale, IL, Steven Vizcarrondo, 22,… Read more »

A recent Urban Institute report on the economic status and demographics of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients indicates that a large portion have limited education, low income and few assets. According to the report, about 44 percent of SSDI recipients aged 31-49 are considered “poor” or “near poor” based on income that is between… Read more »