Most children who leave the foster care systems do not necessarily receive ample preparation and support for the transition to independent living. Foster youth have high risks of being homeless, incarcerated, unemployed, and unskilled. In addition, they are also more likely to experience physical, developmental, behavioral, and mental health challenges. In response to many challenges… Read more »
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The Social Security Administration has special procedures for the acutely ill
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has established different claim processing procedures for claimant’s who are acutely ill. The average claimant is required to wait several months for a decision, while a claimant whom the SSA believes would likely be found disabled may be able to request that the SSA expedite the processing of their claim… Read more »
Video Teleconference Hearings: Efficiency and convenience, or an over-reliance on technology?
The Social Security Administration over the past couple years has given notice to more and more claimants that their hearing is being held via video teleconference. A claimant would go to the office where the hearing is being held and instead of the judge being in person, he/she would be on a video screen. The… Read more »
Failed Back Surgery Syndrome
Q: I was recently diagnosed with Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS). Is this a real disease?! What does it mean? A: FBSS is a chronic pain condition that may be diagnosed after multiple surgical intervention fail to correct (or worse yet, exacerbate) pain caused by spinal and cervical abnormalities. Typically, patients receive this diagnosis from a spinal… Read more »
Why is my Work History Report so important?
Far too often, individuals filing for Social Security disability don’t think when they fill out their Work History Report. It is vital to an applicant’s claim that whenever a document is submitted to the Social Security Administration it be filled out as completely and accurately as possible. For the Work History Report, this requires thinking… Read more »
Bright IDEA: How an IEP Can Strengthen Your Child’s Disability Claim Part II
This is Part II of a multipart series that will examine the law behind Individualized Education Programs (“IEPs”), how parents can find out whether their child is eligible for an IEP, how IEPs are created, and how parents can effectively use an IEP once it is established. Parents are often the first to notice that… Read more »
Social Security Disability Applications Decrease Again
Many politicians and pundits over have made accusations that an increase in the number of people receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits is a sign that Americans are relying too much on government, but these claims do not match-up with what is really going on with Social Security’s disability programs. It is true that… Read more »
What happens after my disability hearing?
After you have your hearing, the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) will issue their decision. Claimants typically wait one to three months for the decision to be issued. The ALJ has three possible choices. The options are a fully favorable decision, partially favorable decision or unfavorable decision. A fully favorable decision means the ALJ finds you… Read more »
Social Security Disability Payments and Direct Deposit Information
Direct deposit delivers Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit payments into your bank or credit union’s account quickly and safely. You can withdraw your money at any time. The difference is, your check is not printed or mailed. Effective May 1, 2011 all applicants filing for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)… Read more »
President Obama Pledges to Uphold Social Security in Second Inaugural Address
Today, President Obama was sworn into his second term in office at the 57th Inauguration Ceremony inWashington,D.C. His inaugural address focused on national unity, using the phrase “we the people” as a refrain. President Obama discussed the Social Security program during his address, pledging to strengthen and modernize American’s safety net and social programs. The commitments… Read more »
