The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a section on their website dedicated to young people. The SSA has developed various programs to help protect young people even before they have started working. According to the website, approximately 3.2 million children under the age of 18 were receiving monthly benefits from the SSA in 2013 because… Read more »
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The 5 Stages of the Social Security Disability Process
In a perfect world, applying for Social Security disability would be quick and painless, but we don’t live in a perfect world. Instead, applying for Social Security disability can be confusing, time consuming and most definitely frustrating. To help you understand the process from beginning to end, below is an outline of the five different… Read more »
Unfamiliar Disability Questionnaires and What to Do With Them
One of the most overwhelming aspects of the Social Security Disability process, we hear from clients, is the request by Social Security to complete various questionnaires related to their activities, work history and how their disabilities limit their ability to work. Although these forms are time consuming, they are an important part of the disability… Read more »
Social Security Disability and Worker’s Compensation Benefits
Because worker’s compensation benefits and Social Security disability benefits involve injuries or conditions that lead to the inability to maintain gainful employment, sometimes a disabled worker collects benefits from both programs. In fact, in 2003, Social Security estimated that of the 7.6 million beneficiaries collecting Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, about 17 percent had… Read more »
Changes in Medicaid, Opening of State and Federal Insurance Exchanges
Despite the government shutdown, the previously enacted Affordable Care Act rolled out on October 1, 2013. Depending on your state, there may be extended eligibility for Medicaid. Even if you have applied and been denied previously for some form of government healthcare, we strongly encourage you to contact your city, county, or state government to… Read more »
What is the Ticket to Work Program and How Does it Work?
Some people may be unaware that those who are receiving either Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits are not considered to be permanently disabled by Social Security. Even after someone has been awarded benefits, SSA is likely to follow-up a few years down to the road to confirm if the… Read more »
How Age Impacts a Social Security Disability Case
There are several factors the Social Security Administration (SSA) considers in determining eligibility for either Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, and age is a large factor. To help disability examiners make decisions, Social Security has established a set of vocational guidelines known as “the grid.” This “grid,” takes factors… Read more »
Payment Waiting Period for SSDI Benefits
The Social Security disability process is littered with emotional highs and lows. One example is the five-month waiting period disabled workers are faced with when they are approved for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Many times Social Security disability applicants express a sigh of relief when they find out they are approved for SSDI, but… Read more »
SSA’s Compassionate Allowance List Expands
In a press release issued in January 2014, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced that they have expanded their Compassionate Allowance List (CAL) to include 25 new conditions. This brings the total number of conditions that meet the SSA CAL standards to 225. These 225 conditions include various types of cancer, neurological diseases, and immune… Read more »
When a Vocational Expert is Scheduled to be at My Hearing
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 »
