Archive for February, 2008
VA Ratings in Social Security Claims
CT Blue talks about the often unspoken cost of war: veteran’s coming home with disabilities.
According to a new report from the Pentagaon “1 in 5 American servicemen and women who have been in Iraq are coming back with brain injuries.”. The same report says that “17 percent of the soldiers returning to war could [...]
DisabilityAppeal.com Agrees: Get a Specialist!
I have been a strong advocate for getting a specialist whenever you hire a lawyer. I specialize in Social Security disability cases and I feel this gives me an advantage over other attorneys.
If you are in a lawsuit, which side would you rather be on? The side with a lawyer who does a [...]
When Problems Arise, Watch Out For Deadlines!
You, or your child are on Social Security, when out of the blue, you get a letter:
Your benefits will cease as of …
or
An overpayment was detected due to your failure to notify Social Security of your spouse’s income …
or
Since turning 18 years of age, we have determined that you are no longer disabled under our [...]
Quick Facts: How Much Does Social Security Spend On Disability?
According to Social Security, 6.9 million disabled workers received disability benefits from Social Security in 2007. Another 1.8 million individuals received benefits as dependents of disabled workers.
This is compared to 31 million receiving retirement benefits.
The average monthly disability benefits was $979. Although it should be noted, for those receiving Supplemental Security Income benefits, [...]
I Won My SSI Case, Now They Want To Pay Me In Installments?!?
There are several reasons why your back Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits may be delayed.
First, Social Security must reimburse the State for interim assistance that you recieved while waiting for your SSI decision. In Colorado, the interim assistance program is called Aid for the Needy Disabled (AND). This means that if you [...]
What If Social Security Loses Your Appeal?
You got the appeal forms, struggled to fill them out, you made sure to get it all turned in before the appeal deadline.
Then you wait.
And wait.
You should have heard something by now shouldn’t you?
So, you call Social Security, wade through their voice mail until you finally get a real person, and they tell you the [...]
“When Do Social Security Child’s Benefits Stop?”
A child may be entitled to receive Social Secuirty child’s benefits if a parent dies. See my prior article for more information.
Under Social Security Regulations (20 CFR 404.352), the entitlement to child’s benefits may end for any of the following reasons.
You turn 18 years old and are not disabled or a full time student. [...]
“My Spouse Died, Can My Child Get Social Security?”
Children can be entitled to receive Social Security child’s benefits if the deceased parent was fully insured by Social Security and if they meet 5 tests:
The child is the insured person’s child. See §§404.355 through 404.359;
The child is dependent on the insured. See §§404.360 through 404.365;
The child applies for benefits;
The child is [...]
“My Child Turned 16, And My Benefits Were Stopped”
If a parent dies, the surviving spouse may be eligible for mother’s or father’s benefits if he or she is caring for a the deceased’s child and the child is under 16 years old or disabled.
This means there are a number of ways these benefits may stop:
You remarry. The exception to this is if [...]
6 Myths of Going “Paperless”
Scanned records are only black and white. I have documents with graphics, highlighted sections, signatures, and notes in pen. If I scan it won’t look the same.
False. Today’s scanners scan color at the same speeds as black and white. You can have all the advantages of digital documents and still [...]
3 Advantages of a “Paperless” Office
“Paperless” does not mean having no paper in your office. It simply means not relying on paper as the sole means of keeping information.
Attorneys who have gone “paperless” either get documents digitally or scan in all documents coming in to the office.
Is your attorney “paperless?” If not, should he be?
YES!
Digital storage of [...]
Great Site: Georgia WIPA
The Georgia Work Incentives Planning and Assistance site provides some great overviews of the Social Security system including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
There are even several examples of how monthly benefits are calculated.
photo credit: Incase Designs
Living With Depression
The Pink Report has an revealing article on the gradual descent into depression:
Depression isn’t just feeling sad, or discouraged. It is a deeply penetrating darkness. Every fibre of my body feels hopeless. Nothing brings a smile to my face– not my children, not the sun, not a windfall of money, not even Jude Law. I [...]
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