Understanding the Most Common Disability Programs
My firm gets countless calls of folks who need guidance concerning the various disability programs that they have heard about. Here is a short summary of each of the most common. 1. Short Term Disability: This is a benefit through the Employment Development Department for the State of California (the same people who handle unemployment […]
Calls from SSA or a Scammer?
If you have a claim for Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) pending with the Social Security Administration, then you have likely received one or more calls from the SSA. Representatives within many branches of the SSA often reach out via telephone to get information concerning your claim and to ask you various […]
Age and Qualifying for Social Security Disability
While a person of any age can qualify for disability benefits, it is important to understand that age can play a very significant role in the Social Security Administration’s analysis of a claim. The SSA uses a multi-step system in order to determine if someone is disabled under their rules. Certain conditions fall into specific […]
Can a Disability Claim Be Reopened Once It’s Closed?
Yes! In some situations, a prior claim that is closed can be reopened. When a new client comes into our office, we always discuss whether or not they have ever filed for disability or SSI benefits in the past. If they have, we look to see if the prior claim(s) can be reopened. This is […]
If we win my case and I am qualified for benefits, how are my monthly benefits calculated?
This is a tough question to answer for two reasons; the answer is different for different types of benefits and the answer can be very personalized in some situations. Concerning SSD benefit rates, the amount of your monthly benefit depends upon how much you worked and what you were paid for that work. Similarly, […]
Children’s Supplemental Security Income Benefits
How Does the SSA Determine if a Child is Disabled? The disability program within the Social Security Administration that provides benefits for disabled children is called the Supplemental Security Income program. Eligibility for this program is determined by considering two distinct factors; financial need and severity of the disability. Concerning the financial requirements, it is […]
HELP! I FILED FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS TOO EARLY!
Let’s assume you suffered a serious back injury at work. You filed for worker’s compensation benefits and were unable to work for a year. When you saw that the worker’s compensation benefits were running out and you remained unable to work, you filed for Social Security disability benefits. Two appeals into the process of trying […]
How Do I Get Approved for Disability?
This is by far the most frequently asked question that I ever receive. People often assume that there must be a magical medical condition or perhaps a special statement from their doctor that would green light their claim for disability benefits. Unfortunately, I can attest to the fact that neither of these exist, with a […]
Happy 85th Birthday to Social Security!
Yes, you read that right. 85 years ago, today, President Franklin D. Roosevelt singed the Social Security Act into law. President Roosevelt felt strongly that our country needed a social safety net that would provide income to elderly workers who could not continue earning a living after a lifetime of work. Two years went by […]