The Social Security disability process can be confusing. Not only can the entire process be difficult to understand, but so can the different terms Social Security uses along the way. To make things a bit clearer below are some definitions for terms Social Security uses during the disability process. Alleged and Established Onset Date: The… Read more »
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Special Veterans Benefits: Who Qualifies?
There are 9.4 million military veterans receiving Social Security benefits, which means that almost one out of every four adult Social Security beneficiaries has served in the United States. Two out of every five recipients either are veterans or reside with family members who are veterans. Veteran recipients are overwhelmingly male compared with all adult Social Security… 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 PLLC about hearings before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) a frequent question that is asked is, “Will I have to speak during the hearing?” The simple answer is YES. If you are at a hearing before an ALJ it means that… Read more »
What is a closed period of a disability?
A closed period of disability is awarded to a claimant whose medical evidence proves that they have been unable to engage in Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) for at least a twelve month period of time, but later shows medical improvement according to the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) rules. If SSA finds medical improvement, it means… Read more »
I am legally blind, can I received Social Security Disability benefits?
According to an April 2011 report from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, more than one million people in the United States over the age of 40 are legally blind. Statutory blindness is blindness as defined in sections 216(i)(1) and 1614(a)(2) of the Social Security Act (the Act). The Act defines blindness as visual acuity of 20/200 or less… Read more »
The Social Security Administration’s Social Media Efforts
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has made numerous efforts to connect with people by using social media to provide information regarding the agency and the services it offers. For people looking for information on Social Security Retirement, Disability, or Survivors benefits the SSA now offers downloadable podcasts and webinars featuring different topics. The webinars offer… Read more »
Appeals Council Status Now Available Online
The Social Security Administration recently added a new service that would allow Social Security disability representatives to determine the status of an Appeals Council case. If a claimant’s Social Security disability case is denied by an Administrative Law Judge, that decision can be appealed to something known as the Appeals Council. The Appeals Council is… Read more »
Transgender Identities and the Social Security Administration: Part 1
On November 6, 2012, the United States of America re-elected Barack Obama to his second term as President. But more than that happened on Tuesday. For the first time ever, Minnesota became the first state to turn down a constitutional amendment defining marriage between one man and one woman at the ballot. While the laws regarding… Read more »
My claim has been selected by the Quality Review Board?
After you’ve filed a claim for Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) with the Social Security Administration (SSA) your claim will be transferred to a state disability agency for a medical determination. In Minnesota and many other states that state agency is called Disability Determination Services (DDS). There is at least one… Read more »
Spousal Benefits
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 »
