I came across a story this month about a Louisiana man who was recently arrested for fraudulently receiving Social Security disability payments for the last year while he was working and earning substantial income, which is a big NO-NO. When a person receives Social Security disability they are claiming that they are unable to work… Read more »
Blog
Is Social Security Disability Going Bankrupt?
For many years now there has been a lot of talk about both the Social Security retirement and disability programs going broke. We have heard about when both programs will run out of money if nothing is done to change it, so it is important to know that Congress held hearings on the issue a… Read more »
Medicare Prescription Drug Program
The Medicare Prescription Drug Program is designed to provide extra assistance to those with limited resources. The extra help is estimated to be worth about $4,000 each year. If you qualify, Social Security may help pay for the monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and co-payments related to the Medical Prescription Drug program. You must be enrolled… Read more »
What is a Vocational Expert?
A huge sigh of relief usually follows the notification that a claimant’s Social Security disability hearing is scheduled. Finally, it gives a claimant a chance to have their “day in court” to prove they deserve either Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Sometimes that relief is soon replaced with trepidation… Read more »
Are Social Security Benefits Taxable?
In a one word answer, yes Social Security, disability and retirement, benefits are taxable IF your income is over a certain amount. Some people have to pay federal income taxes on their Social Security benefits, but this usually only happens if there is some other form of substantial income, such as wages, self-employment income, interest,… Read more »
Will I Have to Speak at My Disability Hearing?
As a case manager, when I have to inform our clients at Greeman Toomey about hearings before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), a common question that is asked is if a claimant has to speak at the hearing. The answer is, if the ALJ wants to hear from you, you are going to have to… Read more »
Are SSA Office Closings A Good Thing Or Bad Thing?
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 »
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 »
