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According to the Social Security website: Earned Income: are wages, net earnings from self–employment, certain royalties and honoraria, and sheltered workshop payments. Unearned Income: is all income that is not earned, such as Social Security benefits, pensions, state disability payments, unemployment benefits, interest income, and cash from friends and relatives. In–Kind Income: is food or shelter that you get for free… Read more »

Most years the Supplemental Security Income maximum  benefit increases. Supplemental Security Income benefits automatically increased in 2013 because there was an increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the third quarter of 2010 to the third quarter of 2012.  As of January 1, 2013, the federal benefit rate is $710 for an individual and… Read more »

The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides disability benefits to those who are blind and are unable to work. If you are blind and have worked in the past under the SSA’s rules you may qualify for Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB). If you are blind and do not qualify for DIB benefits, you may still be… Read more »

President Barack Obama and congress have both offered plans that would change the calculation of annual Social Security payment increases. When Social Security began in 1935 there were no provisions for annual increases in payments for theQ first 15 years of the program. Since 1950 the Social Security Administration uses Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA)… Read more »

Earlier this month an Amarillo, TX woman pled guilty in federal court to participating in a scam that allowed her brother-in-law to collect $42,000 worth of Social Security disability payments he was not eligible for because he was working. The woman, who co-owned a concrete business, hired and employed the man who was allegedly collecting… Read more »

According to the Social Security Administration if you are a U.S. citizen, you can travel to or live in most foreign countries without impacting your Social Security benefits, but there are a few countries where they cannot send Social Security payments. These countries include: Azerbaijan, Belarus, Cuba, Cambodia, Georgia, Kazakstan, Kyrgzstan, Moldova, North Korea, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine,… Read more »

Anyone who has been involved in a Social Security disability case has probably come across the term Substantial Gainful Activity. This blog is an attempt to explain what SGA is and how it impacts a Social Security disability case. As it relates to Social Security disability, SGA is the amount of money someone earns from… Read more »

Many applicants often ask, “if I win my case, how much will I have to pay my attorney?” Social Security attorneys are paid on a contingency basis, which means they are paid only if you win your case. The Social Security Act allows attorneys to charge a fee for representation before the Social Security Administration…. Read more »

A disturbing recent trend in the world of Social Security disability cases is the occurrence of a fully favorable disability ruling being overturned by the Appeals Council. It has left many a Social Security disability applicant and representative scratching their head. This scenario can only occur when a Social Security disability applicant goes before an… Read more »

A publication released by the Social Security Administration (SSA) states that victims of family violence are able to request a new Social Security Number (SSN). The publication states that for some people the best way to reduce the risk of further harm may be to relocate and create a new identity. If you can prove… Read more »