Tag Archives: SSA
WHAT QUESTIONS WILL THE JUDGE ASK AT MY DISABILITY HEARING?
Are you wondering what questions the judge will ask at your SSA hearing? Don’t worry, an SSA hearing is nothing like a criminal hearing. You are the main witness. But, you will not be grilled with questions like they do to witnesses on television. SSA hearings are not formal. They are held in private…. Read More »
PANCREATIC CANCER & SSD BENEFITS
TYPES OF PANCREATIC CANCER Pancreatic cancer starts in the pancreas, which is an organ in your abdomen behind the stomach. There are two main types of pancreatic cancer: Exocrine Pancreatic Cancer and Endocrine Pancreatic Cancer. You can obtain SSDI and SSI benefits for both types of cancer. However, you can only be paid benefits… Read More »
WHAT ARE JOB SKILLS?
WHY ARE JOB SKILLS IMPORTANT TO YOUR SSD CASE? Job skills, as defined by the Social Security Administration (SSA), refer to the ability, knowledge, and expertise a person requires to perform specific tasks or duties on the job. Assessing your job skills helps the SSA make a decision about your ability to work. If… Read More »
SUBSTANTIAL GAINFUL ACTIVITY
THE SSA AND SUBSTANTIAL GAINFUL ACTIVITY (SGA) Substantial gainful activity are the words the SSA uses for “work.” If you file a claim for SSD benefits and you are still working, then you are going to hear the term “substantial gainful activity.” But what is SGA? SGA means “work” over a certain amount of… Read More »
FIVE MISTAKES TO AVOID WHEN APPLYING FOR DISABILITY
Mistakes are made every day by thousands of people who file for Social Security benefits. Below you will find a discussion of five common mistakes that you should NOT make when filing for benefits. If you listen to this advice, it will help you win SSDI and SSI benefits. If you cannot work, then… Read More »
HOW TO WIN PRESUMPTIVE DISABILITY BENEFITS
Because filing for SSI benefits can be a long process, it is possible to get temporary benefits in some circumstances. The SSA has made temporary or presumptive disability benefits available for those who claim Supplemental Security Income benefits. These benefits are available for 6 months. You receive these monthly benefits while the Social Security Administration processes… Read More »
MARFAN SYNDROME AND SSD BENEFITS
WHAT IS MARFAN SYNDROME? Marfan syndrome is a genetic connective tissue disorder that can cause severe physical issues. For example, the condition affects multiple body systems, including the skeleton, eyes, heart, blood vessels, nervous system, skin, and lungs. If your symptoms are severe and prevent you from working, then you can obtain SSDI and SSI… Read More »
UNDERSTANDING SSA’S LISTING OF IMPAIRMENTS
WHAT IS SSA’S LISTING OF IMPAIRMENTS? The Listing of Impairments is a list of medical conditions that the Social Security Administration (SSA) uses to determine whether or not you have a severe medical condition. If the medical condition is severe and you prevents you from working for 12 months or more, then you should… Read More »
MENTAL ABILITIES YOU MUST HAVE TO PERFORM UNSKILLED WORK
Certain mental abilities are necessary to do any type of work, even work that does not require skills. Skills have a specific definition that the SSA uses when they are deciding if you can work. The SSA states that a skill is knowledge of a work activity which requires the exercise of judgment that goes… Read More »
NARCOLEPSY & SSD BENEFITS
WHAT IS NARCOLEPSY? Narcolepsy is a neurological condition that impacts the brain’s ability to control your sleep and wake cycles. People with narcolepsy experience extreme daytime sleepiness and may fall asleep suddenly during the day. This can happen at work or even in dangerous situations. For example, you could fall asleep while driving. In a normal… Read More »
DISABILITY BENEFITS FOR BREAST CANCER
SSDI and SSI benefits are available for individuals who have breast cancer. In order to win those benefits, however, we recommend you hire an SSD attorney. Attorneys who practice Social Security law will understand how to obtain the medical records you need to win your case. They will also know how to win your… Read More »
SSI BENEFITS – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
WHAT ARE SSI BENEFITS? SSI benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a Federal income supplement program funded by general taxes. SSI benefits do not come from Social Security taxes. The goal of the SSI program is to provide a monthly payment that helps disabled people, those who are blind, and who also have… Read More »
ARE YOU WORKING? IF SO, ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR DISABILITY BENEFITS?
If you are working, according to how the SSA defines work, then you cannot get paid SSDI or SSI benefits. However, work has a very specific meaning under SSA’s rules. Work is defined by the SSA as “substantial gainful activity.”(SGA). A person who is earning more than a certain monthly amount (after medical work costs)… Read More »
EPILEPSY AND SEIZURES
SSD benefits are available for Epilepsy and for seizures. If your seizure medications do not control your Epilepsy and you are unable to work, then the SSA may pay you SSD benefits. Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income benefits are paid by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA offers monthly benefits to… Read More »
STROKE DISABILITY BENEFITS
Stroke SSDI and SSI benefits are available, if you are suffering severe stroke symptoms and you cannot work. You must be unable to work for over 12 months in order to win Social Security benefits. You can apply for SSDI benefits and Supplemental Security Income benefits. The two benefits are have different rules. For… Read More »
VOCATIONAL EXPERT TESTIMONY MUST BE BASED ON EVIDENCE
VOCATIONAL EXPERT TESTIMONY Vocational expert (VE) testimony requires evidence at an ALJ hearing. If you have appeared at a hearing before an SSA judge, a VE probably gave testimony during your hearing. VEs are often called by the judge to testify about the number of jobs that are available to a person seeking benefits…. Read More »
ARE YOU UNDER INVESTIGATION BY THE SSA?
HOW DO SSA INVESTIGATIONS START? How do you know if the SSA is investigating you? Most people who need SSD and SSI benefits are not aware the Social Security Administration can investigate you. However, the SSA does investigate people who apply for benefits. Therefore, you need to know that if you file for SSDI… Read More »
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND WINNING DISABILITY BENEFITS
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS IS A DISABILITY UNDER SSA’S RULES Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an auto-immune disease that affects the central nervous system. When an individual suffers from Multiple Sclerosis, the disease damages the covers of the nerve cells in the brain. It also damages nerve cells in the spinal cord and optic nerves. This nerve… 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, people who apply for Social Security Disability Benefits (SSD) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will go to a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). You need… Read More »
HOW TO APPEAL A DENIAL OF DISABILITY FROM THE SSA
APPEAL YOUR SSA DENIAL Are you wondering how to appeal a denial from the SSA? Is this what happened? You applied for benefits and you received a denial of your application in the mail. Now, you are wondering how to appeal. The first thing to realize is that you should not give up your… Read More »
PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE & DISABILITY
WHAT IS PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE? Peripheral artery disease (PAD), also called peripheral arterial disease, is a common circulatory condition in which fatty deposits build up in the artery walls and block blood flow. Your arteries supply blood flow to your arms and legs. If the blood flow is blocked, then you have PAD. When your… Read More »
DISABILITY BENEFITS FOR DEPRESSION – LISTING 12.04
WHAT IS DEPRESSION? Depression is a mental health condition that brings on chronic feelings of sadness and low mood, loss of interest in activities, and trouble doing your daily activities. A case of depression can be mild or severe and last for a short or long time. For example, you may have a mild… Read More »
APPEALS COUNCIL REVIEW
APPEALS COUNCIL REVIEW – SHOULD YOU APPEAL? Appeals Council review is the next step after an ALJ hearing. If the ALJ sent you an Unfavorable Decision after your hearing, you should be asking if it is time to seek the Appeals Council review. The Appeals Council is a group of individuals who review ALJ… Read More »
RESIDUAL FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY & SSD
WHAT IS RESIDUAL FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY? Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) is one of the most important concepts in your Social Security benefits case. The reason it is so important is your RFC can make the difference between winning or losing your SSD and SSI benefits. If you can prove that your RFC prevents you from… Read More »
POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER WINS DISABILITY BENEFITS
WHAT IS POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER? Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. PTSD can occur in response to a wide range of traumatic experiences. For example, it can occur due combat, sexual or physical assault, natural disasters, accidents,… Read More »
BURN INJURIES & SSD BENEFITS
WHAT ARE BURN INJURIES? Burn injuries are damage to the skin or other tissues caused by exposure to heat, chemicals, electricity, radiation, or friction. Burn injuries can vary from minor burns to more severe burns that penetrate deeper layers of skin tissue. Severe burns can cause physical and emotional trauma. One of the main… Read More »
SPINAL STENOSIS & DISABILITY
WHAT IS SPINAL STENOSIS? Spinal stenosis is a medical condition in which the spinal canal narrows and compresses the nerves that pass through it. Compression or the nerve can cause pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the back, legs, and arms. There are two main types of spinal stenosis: lumbar and cervical spinal stenosis…. Read More »
TAXING SSDI & SSI BENEFITS
Taxing SSDI and SSI benefits doesn’t seem right. Especially when you consider that SSD benefits are for those who cannot work and you only earned the right to get the benefits by paying taxes. However, they say that there are only two things that you can count on in this life: death and taxes…. Read More »
SSA USES SIX DOMAINS TO DESCRIBE CHILDHOOD DISABILITY
WHAT ARE THE SIX CHILDHOOD DISABILITY DOMAINS ? In order to win SSI or childhood disability benefits, you must be familiar with the six domains the SSA uses to describe childhood impairments. The six domains are listed below. If your child’s mental or physical condition does not meet a listing, then you can turn… Read More »
CANCER OF THE FEMALE GENITAL TRACT & SSD BENEFITS
WHAT IS CANCER OF THE FEMALE GENITAL TRACT? Cancer of the female genital tract is a type of cancer that affects the reproductive organs in women. It includes carcinoma or sarcoma of the uterus, cervix, vulva and ovaries. This type of cancer can be caused by many factors. For example, genetics, lifestyle choices, and… Read More »
