A recent New York Times article, “Disability Insurance Causes Pain,” categorizes Social Security disability as an unnecessary drain on our national economy. According to the article, “[d]isability insurance takes too many workers out of the job market prematurely. It reduces their lifetime income and…slows economic growth.” The article’s author, Eduardo Porter, attributes some of the… Read more »
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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… Read more »
Social Security Reduces Field Office Hours
According to a recent press release issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA), the hours each field office is open to the public will be reduced. Offices will close to the public a half hour earlier starting on November 19, 2012. And start January 2, 2013, the offices will close at noon on Wednesdays. In… 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… Read more »
Who collects past due benefits if a claimant dies before a favorable decision has been issued?
Due to the long processing times for Social Security Disability (SSD) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims, unfortunately some claimants pass away before a decision has been issued. If a favorable decision is issued for a deceased claimant their spouse or other family members may be eligible to receive any past benefits the claimant is… Read more »
Social Security for Mental Disabilities
The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) programs offer benefits to claimants who are unable to work at a Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level for not only physical impairments, but also mental health impairments. Many people may believe that the SSDI and SSI programs are for people with only physical impairments… Read more »
I'm about to move out of state, and I have a claim pending… Now what?
Without a doubt, claims take a while. People have changing financial situations, a significant other who needs to change states for jobs, or a need to move closer to family at a different state. A common misconception for people who have a claim pending for Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income at the time… Read more »
Bright IDEA: How an IEP Can Strengthen Your Child’s Disability Claim Part I
Many parents filing disability claims on behalf of their child ask our office what they can do to strengthen their child’s case. Often these parents have been struggling on their own to manage the child’s behavioral problems, mental health diagnoses, learning disabilities, and/or physical limitations. One of the first things my office asks such parents… Read more »
Who is Eligible for “Black Lung” Benefits
Pneumoconiosis, also known as Black Lung disease, is a respiratory illness that results from the inhalation of coal dust over many years. Symptoms of Black Lung are characterized by impaired lung function, difficulties breathing or shortness of breath, fatigue, a chronic cough or cold or ongoing chest pains. The Black Lung benefit program established by… Read more »
Social Security Disability and Early Retirement Benefits
If you are over the age of 62 and have earned enough work credits for Social Security Retirement benefits you may be interested in filing for early retirement. An eligible person is able to file for these early benefits any time after they have reached the age of 62 and up until full retirement age…. Read more »
