The loss of the family member is devastating, emotionally and financially. Social Security can help by providing income for the families of workers who die. According to Social Security, 98 of every 100 children could get benefits if a working parent dies. And Social Security pays more benefits to children than any other federal program…. Read more »
Blog
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits for Premature Children
Social Security provides Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits to certain infants born with low birth weight whether or not they are premature. A child weighing less than 1200 grams (about 2 pounds, 10 ounces) at birth can qualify for SSI based on low birth weight provided the infant’s family meets the SSI’s income requirements. … Read more »
Social Security Disability and Child Support
The federal Office of Child Support Enforcement estimated that more than $100 billion in ordered child support went unpaid in 2009. About $53 million of this unpaid amount was owed to the government due to a lack of public assistance reimbursements. These numbers have influenced governments to more arduously go after child support payments from… Read more »
Ask a Case Manager: I lost at my hearing! What are my options now?
If you are denied at the hearing level you will receive a Notice of Decision – Unfavorable from the Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR). If you receive a Notice of Decision – Unfavorable you have two options: one is to file an appeal with the Appeals Council or to… Read more »
New Social Security measures at the hearing office: Do they actually help claimants?
When a claimant, who is treating for his/her conditions is about to go to a hearing, often times their file is filled with hundreds of pages of sensitive medical information about them that will aid the judge in the evaluation of the claim. The Office of Disability Adjudication and Review wants to make sure a… Read more »
Disability Benefits for Wounded Warriors
Disabled military service members and veterans may be eligible for expedited processing of their claims. This special claim processing is reserved for military service members who become disabled while on active military service on or after October 1, 2001. This designation applies whether the disability occurred while in the United States or on foreign soil…. Read more »
Outgoing SSA Commissioner Admits Deck is Stacked Against Disability Applicants
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 »
Why does Social Security Disability Take So Long?
The most asked question by anyone who has ever gone through the Social Security disability process has to be “why does it take so long?” In reality, it’s an easy question to answer, but not as easily accepted. Most of the people who apply and are awarded benefits for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or… Read more »
SSA Cutting Costs?
The Wall Street Journal published this article last November discussing how the Social Security Administration (SSA) is cutting costs generated by the doctors employed to review cases. Per the article, the doctors are receiving less money per case reviewed, have been pressured to review an incredibly large number of cases, and are reviewing cases outside of their… Read more »
Ask a Case Manager: I got a letter about the Virtual Screening Unit. What's that?
As a case manager, I am always glad to hear when one of our client’s gets selected for the Virtual Screening Unit (VSU). This can potentially speed up the processing time of your claim and get the benefits you deserve in your hands faster. The VSU is a program developed by the Social Security Administration… Read more »
