Social Security law states that “[a]n individual shall not be considered to be disabled for purposes of this title if alcoholism or drug addiction would…be a contributing factor material to the Commissioner’s determination that the individual is disabled.” SSA § 223(d)(2)(C). While it is true that drug addiction and alcoholism cannot be considered as an… Read more »
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How Does a VA Disability Rating Help my SSDI/SSI Case?
If you are filing for Social Security Disability (SSD) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and have been found disabled by the VA (Department of Veterans Affairs) it is in your best interest to advise the Social Security Administration (SSA) of the decision. While the requirements for proving disability for either SSD or SSI is different from… Read more »
Do I Have to Pay Taxes on My SSDI/SSI Benefits?
A frequent question that arises when a client is approved for either Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits is whether the client has to pay taxes on Social Security disability payments. As is the case with many rules that impact Social Security disability claims the answer is: It depends. The… Read more »
The Adult Disability Report (part II)
In part 1, we learned the reasons why the SSA asks for a mass quantity of specific information (medical history, prescriptions, work history, significant dates in the work history), it’s time to figure out preparation. Before you go online, or start your phone or in person interview, make lists. The toughest part for an applicant,… Read more »
The Adult Disability Report (Part I)
Despite the several different ways of filling out an initial application for Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income (online, over the phone, in person at your local SSA office), there is no getting around the fact that the required Adult Disability Report makes it a long and arduous application. You will need to be… Read more »
Social Security Recipients to See Small Increase in 2013
The Social Security Administration announced today (October 16, 2012) that both Social Security retirement and disability recipients would receive a 1.7 percent Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2013. This is welcome news to the nearly 62 million Americans who receive Social Security payments. Unfortunately the amount of increase is not what these recipients had… Read more »
Social Security Disability and Debt Collectors
Being disabled and unable to work is difficult enough. Being disabled, unable to work, being in debt and dealing with a particularly harassing debt collector is even worse. People who are disabled and collecting Social Security Disability can rest assured on one important issue: in most cases, Social Security Disability payments are exempt from garnishment… Read more »
Congressional Inquiries for Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income Claims
Our clients often ask what steps they can take to help speed the processing of their claims. One option is ask for a congressional inquiry. A congressional inquiry is when a claimant contacts theirUSSenator orUSRepresentative, and asks them to contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) regarding their disability claim. A congressional inquiry can be requested… Read more »
Demystified: GRID Rules
What are The GRID Rules? The grid rules, formally called Medical-Vocational Guidelines, are a streamlined disability determination process and typically apply to individuals age 50 and over with physical limitations. In some cases, the grid rules are easy to explain and the facts easy to spot. In other cases, particularly when an individual is under… Read more »
I Received A Notice of Overpayment, What Can I Do?
A Notice of Overpayment may be issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income recipients when SSA realizes that they have paid you too much. Overpayments normally occur when SSA is not informed of a change in your financial situation. For example, you return to work or continue… Read more »
