Posts from ‘March, 2008’

Here is a fairly common problem. You apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), but then Social Security tells you that your spouse is making too much money for you to be eligible for SSI. But, how much is too much?
It was surprisingly difficult to track down an answer.
But, at long last, I was [...]

I recently met with a woman applying for Social Security disability benefits. She has made multiple prior applications, but she has never worked with a lawyer.
She had a serious back injury, which was well documented by MRI and CT Myelogram reports. She has had a number of doctors involved in her case over [...]

Whether you are working with a lawyer or are trying to get Social Security disability / Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits on your own, you will probably be reading medical records at some point.
Here is a quick primer on how a large portion of medical records are set-up.
Most of the medical records I see [...]

One of the best sources for a statement of what you can and cannot do, is your own doctor(s).
However, in Colorado, I typically see Social Security have one of their technicians or a Social Security doctor, who has never seen or examined you, determine what your limitations are.
When having this conversation with my clients in [...]

To be found disabled, you generally have to show that you are unable to perform some type of full time work. This is a simplification of the Social Security disability standard, but it sufficient for this article.
The most common problem in Social Security disability claims is a lack of a statement of limitations from a doctor.
These statements go by [...]

A beautiful, uplifting clip.

Here is a demo reel.  Embedding is disabled, so I cannot add it to the site.

As a general rule, if you are applying for Social Security disability benefits or appealing a Social Security denial, Social Security will penalize you for noncompliance with your doctor’s instructions. That means Social Security may deny your disability claim if you do not do what your doctors tell you.
But there are exceptions!!! Social Security [...]

Before taking a case, I screen potential clients to see if the individual could still do some kind of full time work. So, when I take a case, I have no doubt that my client is disabled.
So, my jaw drops when I hear something like this from one of my clients.
My doctor tells me that [...]

I often hear the following question:
I just got my Social Security denial letter. Should I appeal or re-apply?
While every case is different, based on my experience handling Social Security claims in Colorado Springs and Southern Colorado, I often find the you stand a better chance by appealing rather than re-applying.
As I mentioned in an earlier [...]

Touching video about what it is like to live with social anxiety / social phobia.

Social Security has a great website that describes the hearing process including how to file an appeal, what happens at a hearing and how to file an file a complaint if you feel you have been mistreated by an Administrative Law Judge.

Find more videos like this on www.truveo.com.

A 100% impairment rating from the VA is usually a strong indicator that you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits.
However, that still does not make a case a slam dunk. A number of problems can arise which may cause Social Security to deny your case.