After you’ve filed a Social Security Disability (SSD) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claim with the Social Security Administration (SSA) your local Social Security office will evaluate the non-medical and technical aspects of the claim. If you meet the technical requirements for one of the benefit programs your claim will be transferred to a state… Read more »
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Can I Receive Benefits from my Deceased Ex-Spouse's Earnings Record?
When applying for Social Security Disability benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will screen you for all benefit programs you may be eligible for. If your deceased spouse or deceased ex-spouse was insured through the Social Security system you may qualify for what is called Disabled Widow/Widower’s benefits. To be insured for Social Security Disability… Read more »
Social Security Disability and Depression
Depression is a major condition in which some people seek Social Security disability for because the condition prevents them from working. Social Security considers an individual to be disabled because of a major depressive disorder if the symptoms prevent the individual from working and the condition is expected to last at least 12 months. For… Read more »
Appeals Council Decisions: Notice of Remand
If you filed a Request for Review of your hearing decision with the Social Security Administration (SSA) Appeals Council you may receive in the mail a Notice of Remand. This means that the Appeals Council has transferred your claim back to the SSA Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) for another hearing. The Appeals… Read more »
PTSD and Alcoholism
Social Security law states that “[a]n individual shall not be considered to be disabled for purposes of this title if alcoholism or drug addiction would…be a contributing factor material to the Commissioner’s determination that the individual is disabled.” SSA § 223(d)(2)(C). While it is true that drug addiction and alcoholism cannot be considered as an aspect… Read more »
Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)
Disability recipients generally receive a small (positive increase) cost of living adjustment (COLA) to their benefits, if any, at the beginning of each year. The purpose of COLA is to ensure that benefits are not negatively impacted by inflation. It is based on the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners… Read more »
If I Am Approved, How Far Will Social Security Go Back?
The most important part when filing for Social Security starts with the date of application. An applicant can receive benefits back to their date of application and potentially receive retroactive benefits during the year prior to their application date. The second most important factor is the onset date of disability, or when the disability began…. Read more »
No Immediate Change to Trust Fund Projections
Despite the fact that Social Security has projected that depletion of the Social Security Trust Funds has not changed, there is still great concern that unless Congress acts, the Trust Funds will deplete enough where only three-fourths of benefits will be payable after depletion. “The projected year for Disability Insurance Trust Fund depletion remains 2016,… Read more »
What can I do to help my disability claim?
Even if you have representation on your claim for Disability Insurance Benefits or Supplemental Security Income benefits, you can take certain actions that can positively impact your claim. At Greeman Toomey, you will be assigned a case manager who will be working with you closely on your claim. It is important that you keep them… Read more »
Notice of Decision – Unfavorable: A Crossroads for the Claimant
Many claimants attempt to apply for Social Security for themselves after they see a family member go through the process, and feel more confident about their own claim. However, this can result in some confusion in various different areas of the process due to recent law changes. An area causing confusion is the claimant’s options… Read more »
