When applying for Social Security Disability benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will screen you for all benefit programs you may be eligible for. If your deceased spouse or deceased ex-spouse was insured through the Social Security system you may qualify for what is called Disabled Widow/Widower’s benefits. To be insured for Social Security Disability… Read more »
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Social Security Disability and Depression
Depression is a major condition in which some people seek Social Security disability for because the condition prevents them from working. Social Security considers an individual to be disabled because of a major depressive disorder if the symptoms prevent the individual from working and the condition is expected to last at least 12 months. For… Read more »
When A Social Security Claimant Dies
Because the Social Security disability process can be a long and winding road, on occasion, a disabled worker who has applied for Social Security disability dies before the final outcome of the case. Many people, including the deceased’s family, believe the claim is over, but that is not necessarily the case. It certainly is not… Read more »
Appeals Council Decisions: Notice of Remand
If you filed a Request for Review of your hearing decision with the Social Security Administration (SSA) Appeals Council you may receive in the mail a Notice of Remand. This means that the Appeals Council has transferred your claim back to the SSA Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) for another hearing. The Appeals… Read more »
Social Security Confirms 1.7 Percent Increase For 2015
A few weeks ago we reported that Social Security was expected to increase retirement, disability and Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) benefits by 1.7 percent in 2015 and now the government agency has confirmed that. When we reported the increase we did not speculate too much on exact increases because the increase was not confirmed, but… Read more »
Government Pensions Can Reduce Social Security Benefits
Occasionally we will have former government employees and potential clients who inquire with our office about their eligibility for Social Security disability benefits. Most of these people are not aware of how government pensions can impact Social Security benefits and some people are crestfallen when they learn they are not eligible for Social Security Disability… Read more »
PTSD and Alcoholism
Social Security law states that “[a]n individual shall not be considered to be disabled for purposes of this title if alcoholism or drug addiction would…be a contributing factor material to the Commissioner’s determination that the individual is disabled.” SSA § 223(d)(2)(C). While it is true that drug addiction and alcoholism cannot be considered as an aspect… Read more »
National Review Attacks A Favorite Target: Social Security
Social Security has always been one of the National Review’s favorite targets as it exemplified in a late October 2014 article titled Dysfunctional Disability Judges. The author states that Social Security judges have run the disability program into the ground and insists that Congressional reports “highlight” allegations of judges “rubber-stamping cases, snoozing on the job,… Read more »
If I Am Approved, How Far Will Social Security Go Back?
The most important part when filing for Social Security starts with the date of application. An applicant can receive benefits back to their date of application and potentially receive retroactive benefits during the year prior to their application date. The second most important factor is the onset date of disability, or when the disability began…. Read more »
What can I do to help my disability claim?
Even if you have representation on your claim for Disability Insurance Benefits or Supplemental Security Income benefits, you can take certain actions that can positively impact your claim. At Greeman Toomey, you will be assigned a case manager who will be working with you closely on your claim. It is important that you keep them… Read more »
