Archives by Tag ' Social Security '
Fighting the ALJ’s Decision Picture this: you have made your way through the long disability determination process. Finally, you have had a hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). But unfortunately, the ALJ’s decision is not in your favor, and your claim was denied. You may find yourself asking- what now? At this […]
What Does Onset Date Mean? Simply put, an onset date is a date that you initially sustained an injury or became disabled. This is something that plays a significant role in your SSI approval and back pay amount and can make or break your Social Security Disability case. If you need assistance in determining your […]
News Release SOCIAL SECURITY Law Does Not Provide for a Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment for 2016 With consumer prices down over the past year, monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for nearly 65 million Americans will not automatically increase in 2016. The Social Security Act provides for an automatic increase in Social […]
Many claimants file for disability because they suffer from depression. Others, due to ongoing chronic pain or other symptoms, may became depressed and although depression may not be their main problem, it may become part of their social security disability claim. If you notice symptoms of depression because of your medical, and financial situation, you […]
Social Security follows a multi-step evaluation process. They will gather medical records from your doctors and obtain hospital records and test results. SSA may choose to have you examined by a doctor or psychologist. To determine if you meet the definition of disability, SSA will ask the following questions: 1) Are you working? If so, […]
The Social Security Administration recently announced that monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits will increase 1.7 percent in 2015. The 1.7 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin for Social Security Disability and Retirement beneficiaries in January 2015. Increased payments for SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 31, 2014. SSI beneficiaries will now […]
Disability payment you receive from workers’ compensation and/or another public disability payment may reduce you and your family’s Social Security benefits. Your Social Security disability benefit will be reduced so that the combined amount of the Social Security benefit you and your family receive plus your workers’ compensation payment and/or public disability payment does not […]
Elizabeth C. Leffel A Social Security disability hearing is not a trial. It is not even in a courtroom. But the idea of a hearing can be very stressful for anyone. The hearing is just that, it is an opportunity for the Administrative Law Judge to hear the claimant’s side of the story. It is […]
Can You Collect Unemployment and Social Security? In short, yes you can receive both unemployment and social security disability benefits. Due to the complicated nature of most legal issues dealing with compensation through government funds, this is something that is going to differ on a case-by-case basis. The most common issue we see is claimants […]


