Some people who decide to apply for Social Security disability seek the assistance of a Social Security disability attorney because the process can be confusing and difficult to understand. If you decide to seek representation you should not believe that your work is done and your attorney will take it from here, your participation is… Read more »
Blog
SSA Starts Program to Expedite Claims for Veterans Who Have A Veterans Affairs Compensation Rating Of 100% Permanent And Total Disability
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has started a program to expedite the processing of disability applications for veterans who have a Veterans Affairs (VA) compensation rating of 100% permanent and total disability. This program went into effect on March 17, 2014. The SSA typically takes three to six months to process disability applications. For veterans… Read more »
Too Many People Die While Waiting For Social Security Disability
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 »
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 »
