As a Case Manager and Social Security Disability Attorney, I hear all too often a claimant asking why they have friends and acquaintances on Social Security Disability, who were approved early in the process, but they need to go through a lengthy appeal. The claimant then often mentions that the person they are talking about… Read more »
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Social Security Disability and Dependent Children
Many people who learn they will be receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are relieved to finally receive some good news, but then the disabled worker quickly realizes that disability payments may not be enough to cover their family’s needs. This is where dependent children’s benefits can makeup the difference. Dependent children of SSDI… Read more »
Compassionate Allowance list grows to 165 conditions. What is a Compassionate Allowance claim?
As of August 11, 2012, there are now 165 conditions that meet Social Security’s requirements for a Compassionate Allowance claim. For a claimant who has been diagnosed with one of these conditions Social Security should expedite the processing of their claim. These list includes various types of cancer, neurological, and immune system disorders. Click here for the… Read more »
Work with your doctor on your disability claim
The most important aspect of meeting the rules for either Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits is medical evidence. Medical evidence consists of all reports, notes, tests and opinions from a claimant’s medical provider. At Greeman Toomey Law Office we use a document known as a Medical Source Statement (MSS), which… Read more »
How Substance Abuse can Impact your Disability Claim
Attempting to prove a mental health disability to the Social Security Administration when an applicant has a substance abuse problem can be an uphill climb, especially if the applicant continues to abuse either drugs or alcohol while a claim is pending. This is accentuated when you consider the follow statement found in Social Security’s rules… Read more »
Social Security Disability Recipients and a Continuing Disability Review
Our law office represents a lot of clients who used to receive Social Security disability payments, but for some reason are no longer found disabled by Social Security. This can and does happen and those who are currently receiving Social Security disability should know that Social Security may check-up with you in a few years… Read more »
Social Security Disability and Retirement Benefits
On occasion we will get a call from a person who is already receiving Social Security retirement benefits who wishes to file for Social Security disability benefits. These inquires have come from people who are well past the current retirement age of 66. Unfortunately what some people do not know is that you cannot collect… Read more »
What is Deemed Income by Social Security Administration for Supplemental Security Income Program (SSI)?
According to the Social Security website: Earned Income: are wages, net earnings from self–employment, certain royalties and honoraria, and sheltered workshop payments. Unearned Income: is all income that is not earned, such as Social Security benefits, pensions, state disability payments, unemployment benefits, interest income, and cash from friends and relatives. In–Kind Income: is food or shelter that you… Read more »
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Living Arrangements
Most years the Supplemental Security Income maximum benefit increases. Supplemental Security Income benefits automatically increased in 2013 because there was an increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the third quarter of 2010 to the third quarter of 2012. As of January 1, 2013, the federal benefit rate is $710 for an individual and… Read more »
Social Security disability claims on the rise
A number of contributing factors have resulted in an increase in the number of Social Security disability claims filed over the last 40 years. In 1970 there were 1.4 million disabled workers who received Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). That number nearly increased six fold by 2011 as 8.3 million people were collecting SSDI benefits… Read more »
