Recent Blog Posts
ATTORNEY FEES IN DISABILITY CASES
WHAT DOES A SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY ATTORNEY COST? Attorney fees may be on your mind if you need to apply for benefits. If you have a severe medical condition that prevents you from working, you may be wondering if you can get benefits through the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income… Read More »
GETTING MARRIED: WILL I LOSE MY SSI BENEFITS?
Getting married, like getting divorced, can effect your disability benefits. How it will effect your benefits depends almost entirely on what kind of benefit you are getting every month. There are two main types of benefits: Social Security Disability insurance (SSDI) benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. The SSA can pay you SSDI or SSI…. Read More »
SHOULDER PAIN & SSDI BENEFITS
CAN SHOULDER PAIN QUALIFY FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS? Shoulders are complex joints and can be a source for pain and disability. The shoulder is made up of the arm bone (humerus) and the collarbone (clavicle). The scapula and the clavicle work together to form the glenohumeral joint, which forms a cage around the… Read More »
DISABILITY BENEFITS FOR NECK PAIN
WHAT CAUSES NECK PAIN? Neck pain has many causes, including nerve compression, neck injury, muscle spasms and degenerative disc disease of the neck. Most people, at one time or another, experience neck pain. But, with time and treatment, neck pain usually doesn’t interfere with our ability to work. Obviously, the Social Security Administration doesn’t… Read More »
WILL SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS INCREASE?
In order to know if your Social Security benefits will increase, you need to first understand the basics of your benefits. There are Social Security Disability benefits. Also, there are Supplemental Security Income benefits. Finally, there are retirement benefits. All three of these programs are run by the Social Security Administration (SSA). This article… Read More »
NEW MEDICAL CONDITIONS ON SSA’S LIST
NEW MEDICAL CONDITIONS THAT ARE COMPASSIONATE ALLOWANCES Medical conditions which are so severe that you should be paid SSDI and SSI benefits are called Compassionate Allowances. If you have one of these severe medical conditions, then the SSA believes you should automatically qualify for benefits. The Compassionate Allowances program identifies claims that meet Social… Read More »
ENDOCRINE DISORDERS & DISABILITY
WHAT ARE ENDOCRINE DISORDERS? Endocrine disorders are a group of diseases which affect the glands of the endocrine system. Disease can be caused by hormonal imbalance, autoimmune issues, genetic mutations, or environmental factors. The most common endocrine conditions include diabetes, thyroid disease, and obesity. When an endocrine gland is not functioning properly it produces… Read More »
WHAT IS THE WAIT TIME FOR THE HEARING DECISION?
WHAT IS THE WAIT TIME TO GET A HEARING? Just a few months ago, in October 2022, it took an average wait time of 13 months to get a hearing. The wait time starts from the date you file your request for hearing to the date of your hearing. There is a long wait… Read More »
HOW TO CHECK THE STATUS OF YOUR DISABILITY CASE
THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO CHECK THE STATUS OF YOUR CASE If you need to check the status of your case, you have come to the right place. It can take up to two years to receive benefits after you file your application for SSDI and SSI benefits. Have two or three months gone… Read More »
HOW TO GET BOTH VETERAN BENEFITS & SSDI BENEFITS
WHAT ARE VETERAN DISABILITY BENEFITS? VA benefits are for veterans who were on active duty in the military and were injured or disabled during their service. Additionally, you can also win benefits if your post service medical condition relates to your time in service. This is true, even if your medical condition arose after… Read More »
YOU HAD A HEART ATTACK? CAN YOU GET DISABILITY?
HEART ATTACK AND SSDI BENEFITS You had a heart attack and also had severe problems following the attack. For example, you get chest pain when you exert yourself and you need to sleep for two hours every afternoon. Due to your problems, you can’t work and you want to know if you qualify for… Read More »
VARICOSE VEINS & SSD BENEFITS
WHAT ARE VARICOSE VEINS? Varicose veins are veins that have become swollen and twisted. They are usually found in your legs. However, they can also occur in other parts of the body. They develop because of a blockage in the vein. As you can see from the illustration below, a normal vein has healthy… Read More »
THE WAIS IV & INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY
DOES THE SSA USE THE WAIS IV TO TEST FOR INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY? The WAIS-IV is a test that the SSA uses to measure your intelligence. Normally, the SSA will set up a Psychological Evaluation for you to attend. They call this going to a Consultative Examination. Learn more about the how to prepare for… Read More »
WHEN DO SSDI BENEFITS END?
WHAT ARE THE REASONS THAT SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS END? There are a number of reasons why Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits can end. This article will discuss the four most common reasons for an end to your Social Security Disability benefits. The first event that usually ends SSDI benefits is an improvement… Read More »
HOW TO PREPARE FOR SSA’S PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAM
WILL THE SSA SEND YOU TO A PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAM? A psychological exam tells the SSA what they need to know about your mental health. Since your mental health can impact your ability to work, the SSA may send you to a psychological examination. The psychological exam is called a Consultative Examination. If you allege… Read More »
DIVORCE & DISABILITY BENEFITS
DOES DIVORCE EFFECT YOUR DISABILITY BENEFITS? Divorce can effect your Social Security benefits, but it depends on what kind of benefits the SSA is paying you. For example, you could be getting paid Social Security Disability benefits, Supplemental Security Income benefits, or you could also be receiving disability benefits on your spouse’s earnings record… Read More »
CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME & DISABILITY
WHAT IS CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME? Carpal tunnel syndrome is a fairly common condition. It comes from overuse of the hand while doing repetitive movements. The carpal tunnel is an opening in your wrist that is formed by the carpal bones on the bottom of the wrist and the carpal ligament at the top of the wrist. The… Read More »
WHAT YOU NEED FROM YOUR DOCTOR TO PROVE DISABILITY
THE BURDEN TO PROVE DISABILITY IS ON YOU Your doctor can help you prove to the SSA that you have a severe medical condition. You need the help of your doctor, because the burden to prove disability is on you. Submitting medical evidence is important, but statements from your doctor about how your medical… Read More »
HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE
WHAT IS HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE? Huntington’s disease is a rare genetic disease that causes the breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. This neurological condition impacts your ability to sit, stand and walk. The condition results in the inability to control your physical movements and also results in severe mental symptoms, such as dementia, depression… Read More »
MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS
WHAT ARE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS AND MEDICARE BENEFITS? Medicare Advantage plans are run by private companies and Medicare is run by the federal government. However, both provide health insurance coverage. Everyone needs health insurance and this article should help you understand the differences between Medicare, Medicaid, and Medicare Advantage Plans. Medicare is a health… Read More »
AUTISM BENEFITS FOR CHILDREN
WHAT IS AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER IN CHILDREN? Autism benefits are available for children who have Autism spectrum disorder. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a medical condition that affects a child’s nervous system, growth and development. Parents usually notice the symptoms of ASD during their child’s first 3 years of life. For example, some children… Read More »
REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE & YOUR BENEFITS
WHAT IS A REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE? A representative payee is a friend, relative, or other interested party that the SSA appoints to protect the interests of the person who is being paid Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. More than eight million people, who get monthly SSDI and SSI payments, need… Read More »
MIGRAINES & DISABILITY BENEFITS
WHAT ARE MIGRAINE HEADACHES? Migraines are not just a headache. Migraines are a severe headache that often comes with nausea, vomiting and light sensitivity. However, migraine symptoms are different for everyone. But, they are known to be vascular headaches that create serious head pain. The head pain is caused by the activation of nerve… Read More »
REVERSE DIABETES THROUGH DIET & EXERCISE
CAN DIABETES TYPE 2 BE REVERSED? Diabetes is Type 2 is the most common form of the three types of Diabetes. It is also known as adult onset diabetes. This condition can be genetic. However, it is usually brought on by an unhealthy lifestyle. For example, if you are overweight, don’t exercise, and eat… Read More »
ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS WINS BENEFITS
WHAT IS ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS? There are many ways to define ankylosing spondylitis. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an autoimmune disorder. However, it is also an inflammatory arthritic disorder and a rheumatic disease. Ankylosing spondylitis is a condition that can affect various areas of the body, such as the heart, the eyes, the lungs, and kidneys…. Read More »
DISABLED? CAN YOU GET FORGIVENESS OF STUDENT LOAN DEBT?
STUDENT LOAN DEBT AND DISABILITY Student loan debt is almost impossible to pay if you have a disability that keeps you from working. In fact, it is a huge problem to pay any bills when you cannot work due to a severe mental or physical medical condition. Probably, you are going to want to… Read More »
YOUR HEARING IS SCHEDULED: WHAT NOW?
Your hearing may be one of the most important events that you experience in the Social Security process of winning SSDI and SSI benefits. In most cases, applicants for Social Security Disability Benefits (SSD) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will go to a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). You need to know… Read More »
OCD & DISABILITY BENEFITS
WHAT IS OBSESSSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD)? Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental condition in which a person has overwhelming obsessions and compulsions. Obsessive thoughts do not just occur every once in awhile. Instead, if you have OCD, then you have constant thought and feelings that you do not want to have. Likewise, the compulsions that occur… Read More »
SSD BENEFITS FOR RECURRENT ARRHYTHMIAS
RECURRENT ARRHYTHMIAS: WHAT IS IT AND HOW DOES IT AFFECT THE HEART? Recurrent arrhythmias is a condition that affects the normal beating of the heart. The heart has a natural rhythm that is created by the sinoatrial node or the SA node. This rhythm is generated by a group of cells in the right… Read More »
ADDISON’S DISEASE & SSD BENEFITS
WHAT IS ADDISON’S DISEASE? Addison’s disease is a medical condition in which your adrenal glands don’t produce enough of the hormones cortisol and aldosterone. The adrenal glands are small glands that are located on top of each of your kidneys. These glands play a very important role in your health because they produce hormones that… Read More »
