23
Jul
Since March 2020, the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) hearing offices have remained closed due to Covid-19. SSA is currently offering hearings in disability claims by phone since March 2020 and by video since May 2021. The telephone hearing does not require anything special but for a telephone line (either cell phone or landline). The video […]
19
Jul
The ABLE Act allows individuals who were deemed disabled before the age of 26 to save money in specific accounts and not jeopardize SSI or Medicaid services. Before The ABLE Act was passed, an individual collecting SSI could not save more than $2,000 or else they would lose all their benefits ABLE accounts allow families […]
11
Jun
1. Apply for benefits as soon as you become disabled. Many people mistakenly believe they must wait 12 months from the date their disability began before applying for benefits. As long as your disability is expected to last more than 12 months, you can file the minute you stop working. However, you must have medical […]
10
May
Once you have qualified for SSDI, you have nine months as a test period to work. This is called a trial work period. The months do not have to be consecutive, but the trial period ends in 60 months regardless of whether or not you used the entire nine-month period. Any month in which you […]
19
Apr
Many clients who are seeking our legal services ask this question. Unfortunately, although you can file for Social Security Disability (or SSD) online, Supplemental Security (or SSI) cannot be filed online. In order to file for SSI, you must call the 800 number at 1-800-832-3471 or your local office to schedule a telephone interview with […]
02
Apr
A potentially large group of disability cases could be emerging in the months and years ahead which is being called “the COVID-19 long-hauler”. Thankfully, for most of the population that acquire COVID-19, the symptoms are mild to moderate, lasting only a few weeks. However, there is a group of people that experiences persistent symptoms. Medical […]
12
Mar
The fact that an individual suffers from substance abuse may have an adverse impact on a claim for Social Security disability. Social Security calls this DAA which is short for “drug addiction and alcoholism”. The essential question is whether the individual is disabled by other medical impairments which are independent of continued alcoholism or drug […]
19
Feb
Even though hearings are now being held on the telephone, your testimony is still taken under “oath” which means you must tell the truth. When the judge (also Administrative Law Judge or “ALJ”) asks a question, do not try to figure out why the judge is asking that particular question or whether your answer will […]
12
Feb
When filing for disability, the Social Security Administration (SSA) reviews your past employment. This is one of the steps required in the evaluation process. That is, the SSA is making a determination as to whether you can return to any of your past work while considering your functional limitations. Once again, this is one of […]
19
Nov
If you are a Social Security beneficiary, expect to see your benefit increase next year. All SSDI and SSI disability recipients will receive a 1.3 percent COLA for 2021. COLA stands for “Cost of Living Adjustment”. Social Security annually increases benefits to counteract inflation. Here are some other important changes related to the Social Security […]