Under Federal law a spouse cannot claim a spousal benefit unless the main beneficiary claims benefits first. However, once full retirement age (FRA) is reached (age 66 for those born between 1943 and 1954), a beneficiary can file for benefits, but then immediately suspend receipt of those benefits until some future date. By doing this,… Read more »
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Social Security Disability and Long-term Disability Insurance
When you are disabled and are unable to work you may be eligible for an employee-based long-term disability program, but this is different than the public Social Security disability options. Some people may think that a claim for Social Security disability has something to do with their long-term disability insurance provided by an employer. The… Read more »
Your Participation is Needed in Your Disability Claim
Some people who decide to apply for Social Security disability seek the assistance of a Social Security disability attorney because the process can be confusing and difficult to understand. If you decide to seek representation you should not believe that your work is done and your attorney will take it from here, your participation is… Read more »
SSA Starts Program to Expedite Claims for Veterans Who Have A Veterans Affairs Compensation Rating Of 100% Permanent And Total Disability
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has started a program to expedite the processing of disability applications for veterans who have a Veterans Affairs (VA) compensation rating of 100% permanent and total disability. This program went into effect on March 17, 2014. The SSA typically takes three to six months to process disability applications. For veterans… Read more »
Is Social Security Disability Going Bankrupt?
For many years now there has been a lot of talk about both the Social Security retirement and disability programs going broke. We have heard about when both programs will run out of money if nothing is done to change it, so it is important to know that Congress held hearings on the issue a… Read more »
Social Security Widow and Widower’s Benefits
Previously we have talked about the two main Social Security disability programs, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). A little know fact is that there are other disability programs people may be eligible for if Social Security finds you disabled. One of those other types of programs it widow or widower… Read more »
What is a Vocational Expert?
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 »
Are Social Security Benefits Taxable?
In a one word answer, yes Social Security, disability and retirement, benefits are taxable IF your income is over a certain amount. Some people have to pay federal income taxes on their Social Security benefits, but this usually only happens if there is some other form of substantial income, such as wages, self-employment income, interest,… Read more »
Will I Have to Speak at My Disability Hearing?
As a case manager, when I have to inform our clients at Greeman Toomey about hearings before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), a common question that is asked is if a claimant has to speak at the hearing. The answer is, if the ALJ wants to hear from you, you are going to have to… Read more »
New Initiative to Expedite Veteran Claims Launched
About a month ago the Social Security Administration announced a new initiative to expedite the processing of disability claims for veterans, who have a Veteran’s Affairs (VA) disability compensation rating of 100 percent, Total and Permanent (P&T). Earlier this month Social Security actually launched the initiative. The idea is to consider veterans who file claims… Read more »
