Former Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue admitted that the criteria used to decide whether a disability applicant is disabled are so “stringent” that applicants face an up-hill battle from the beginning of the disability process. Astrue made his comments in a recent article just before his last day as commissioner, Feb. 13, 2013. Astrue served… Read more »
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Is There a Limit to Back Pay?
During a Social Security disability case most claimants are curious about the date in which they are entitled to benefits, considering that the process, for most applicants, can take the better part of two years because of a lengthy appeals process. The good news is Social Security will pay benefits retroactively to an extent, but… Read more »
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Applications for Disabled Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care
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 »
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 »
