Blog

Two former congressmen have teamed-up on a bipartisan basis to collect ideas on how to reform the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program before benefit cuts are slated to begin toward the end of 2016. Former Rep. Jim McCrery, R-LA and Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D. have a combined 40 years worth of knowledge of how… Read more »

A couple of weeks ago we reported that Social Security would scrap its ban on mailing Social Security statements to workers, a practice that began in 2011, and now the government agency has confirmed that report. “We have listened to our customers, advocates and Congress, and renewing the mailing of the statement reinforces our commitment… Read more »

According to the Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits will continue as long as you are disabled. However, the law requires that your case be periodically viewed to see if you are still disabled. How often your case is reviewed depends on whether your condition is expected to improve. The frequency of reviews depends on the nature and severity of… Read more »

According to the Social Security Administration (SSA) there can be several reasons why Social Security decides someone needs a payee. Generally it is because SSA has information that indicated a claimant needs help in managing money and meeting current needs. Your payee receives your payments on your behalf and must use the money to pay for your… Read more »

One lightly discussed topic in the area of Social Security disability law is something known as Quality Assurance Reviews. When an applicant applies for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) that claim is processed and sent to a state agency for a medical determination. A person at the disability determination agency… Read more »

If you are awarded Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) you are required to report certain information to the agency or your benefits may be affected. If you start or stop working you must contact the SSA immediately.  Any work activity above the SSA’s substantial gainful activity (SGA) level could… Read more »

Most people know that Social Security is a federal program for retirement and disability benefits, but few people probably know that Social Security does not make medical decisions on disability claims at the lower levels of the Social Security disability process. These are made by specified state agencies know as either Disability Determination Services or… Read more »

The Social Security Administration is an active participant in the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH).  The mission of the USICH is to “coordinate the Federal response to homelessness and to create a national partnership at every level of government and with the private sector to reduce and end homelessness in the nation while maximizing the effectiveness of… Read more »

Many clients call and are confused between the two departments. Most Social Security disability claims are initially processed through a local Social Security Administration field office (DO) such as applications and appeals. Social Security representatives in the field offices usually obtain applications for disability benefits in person, by telephone, by mail, or by filing online. The field… Read more »

Social Security had special rules in place for those who are completely blind or who have low vision. Payments made to these individuals differ from regular Social Security Disability (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. To qualify an individual has to meet Social Security’s definition of being “legally blind.” Social Security considers someone to… Read more »