Blog

State to State Social Security Process Can Be Different

As if the Social Security disability process wasn’t confusing enough, the federal agency, for some time now, has operated differently in deciding disability claims depending on which state a claimant lives in. This doesn’t sound logical, considering Social Security disability is a federal program, but it is true. The standards in which Social Security makes… Read more »

The Appeals Council Process

We have talked many times about the Social Security disability process from the initial application stage to a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), but we don’t often talk about something that may come after the ALJ hearing, the Appeals Council. Many people have misinformation or no information about what the Appeals Council’s function… Read more »

The Future of Social Security Disability Benefits

Each year, the trustees of the Social Security and Medicare trust funds draft an annual report detailing the current and projected financial status of the Social Security program. The purpose of the report is to advise Congress on issues facing the program. In the most recent “Annual Report of the Board of Trustees of the… Read more »

Is It Time To Panic About Disability Insurance Trust Fund?

The Social Security Board of Trustees recently released its annual report on the long-term financial status of both the retirement and disability trust funds indicating there was no change in the projected year of trust fund reserve depletion. Is this good news or bad news? I guess it depends on if you are a cup… Read more »

Spinocerebellar Ataxia (SCA) POMS: DI 23022.500

Ataxia is the scientific term for a lack of coordination or clumsiness. The part of the brain most commonly associated with coordination is the cerebellum. According to Social Security, Spinocerebellar Ataxia (SCA) refers to a group of genetic disorders characterized by slowly progressive difficulties with gait, hand movements, speech and abnormal eye movement. Spinocerebellar ataxia is… Read more »

Will my benefit amount ever be increased or decreased?

If you are receiving Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits you will likely receive an annual increase based on inflation rates. This increase is called a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses the Consumer Price Index to calculate the value of the COLA. The SSA determines if there… Read more »

The Social Security Administration vows to Communicate Clearly with the Public

In accordance with the “Plain Writing Act of 2010,” the Social Security Administration (SSA) is dedicated to ensuring their agency is accessible to the American public. Under this Act federal agencies must communicate clearly with the public to improve their effectiveness and accountability. The SSA’s website states that even though many parts of their programs… Read more »

Another Solvency Crisis Looms for Social Security

When the subject of Social Security comes up in conversation many times someone suggests that Social Security retirement or disability may not be around when it is needed because of reported insolvency. Although these conversations offer a lot of smoke, there is some fire there too. The last five Social Security trustee reports indicate that… Read more »

More Specifics on Hearing Wait Times

During the Social Security Disability process you have to expect to do some waiting, a lot of it. The waiting game is no more evident than when you have filed a request for hearing before an administrative law judge. This is where the vast majority of disability claims end up, if a claimant keeps appealing… Read more »