You may have heard that you don’t “need” to have an attorney to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (“SSDI” or “disability benefits”). However, if you are denied benefits and you proceed to hearing without an attorney, the Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) just might postpone your hearing to give you time to get an […]
10
Dec
Dec
To be awarded Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (“SSDI” or “disability benefits”) you must be able to prove that your disabling condition is current and continues to interfere with your ability to work full-time or on a consistent basis. To do this, you need to have medical records that document your current condition and treatment […]
07
Dec
Dec
If you have never heard of C.O.L.A., you might just think it is a sugary drink that goes well with hotdogs and a Kansas City Royals game. Not quite, but a C.O.L.A just might get you in to see the game. Cost of Living Adjustment. C.O.L.A. stands for “Cost of Living Adjustment.” Every year, the […]
05
Dec
Dec
As you may have learned from one of our previous blog posts, making sure that you have the correct Alleged Onset Date (“onset date” or “AOD”) of your disability when you apply for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (“SSDI” or “disability benefits”), is critical. The Date You Allege You Became Permanently Disabled. To quickly review, […]
03
Dec
Dec
If you are applying for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (“SSDI” or “disability benefits”) it is vital that you get one thing right: your Alleged Onset Date (“onset date” or “AOD”). The date you put down on your application as your AOD can influence whether or not you are awarded benefits, and it is critical […]
30
Nov
Nov
Some people may think it’s just a matter of luck whether or not the Social Security Agency (“SSA”) awards you Social Security Disability Insurance (“SSDI” or “disability benefits”). Not so. When it comes to evaluating SSDI claims, the law requires the SSA to address specific issues in a specific order. This is what is known […]
28
Nov
Nov
Most people will agree that applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (“SSDI” or “disability benefits”) can be difficult and frustrating. Although you can now apply online, the process is still time-consuming and can be confusing. So before you get started, it is a good idea to know what to expect or, better yet, to have […]
26
Nov
Nov
Sometimes it takes so long to finally get a Social Security Disability Insurance (“SSDI” or “disability benefits”) hearing, that people wonder what it takes to get a hearing date. The answer is…time. Lots of it. Social Security Disability Hearings. The reason why you request a hearing date is because the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) has […]
23
Nov
Nov
It is very difficult to win Social Security Disability Insurance (“SSDI” or “disability benefits”) if you have a drug or alcohol problem. Whether or not you will be denied benefits depends (among other things) on whether your drug or alcohol use is a material factor in your disabling medical condition. If it is, then you […]
21
Nov
Nov
There are many medical and psychological conditions that are so debilitating that they can prevent a person from being able to work full-time or consistently enough to support oneself. Obesity can be such a condition. Obesity used to be a listed condition for purposes of Social Security Disability Insurance (“SSDI” or “disability benefits”) but the […]