Category Archives: Basics

Basic information about Social Security claims

Dependency in Children’s Social Security auxiliary benefit cases

Children of disabled parents, who receive Social Security Title 2 Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB), may be entitled to auxiliary benefits.  However, Social Security has a number of requirements: (a) General. You are entitled to child’s benefits on the earnings record … Continue reading

Posted in Building a Case | View Comments

Video: No Barriers USA

I just came across this amazing organization on Twitter. No Barriers USA is doing some amazing things to help individuals overcome their disabilities.

Posted in Personal Stories, Useful Sites, Video | View Comments

Penrose St Francis Hospital blocking faxed records request

Penrose St Francis Hospital, one of the two major hospitals in Colorado Springs, sent me the following canned response to a (faxed) request for records for one of my clients. Please note that the fax number you are sending your … Continue reading

Posted in Doctors, Records, & Medical Treatment | Tagged | View Comments

How to report a lost or stolen Social Security card

I previously wrote about how to replace a lost or stolen Social Security card. However, I am often asked who to report a lost or stolen Social Security card to. Fortunately Social Security has a page on this very topic: … Continue reading

Posted in Useful Sites | Tagged , , | View Comments

How long do I have to appeal my Social Security disability denial?

If your Social Security disability case has been denied. You need to know how long you have to file your appeal. You only have so much time before your deadline. If you miss that window of opportunity, you may be … Continue reading

Posted in 2 Denials & Appeals, Definitions | Tagged , , | View Comments

Retraining options if you are disabled

Not everyone who applies for Social Security wants to be on disability for the rest of their lives. Many just want temporary help while recovering from an injury and figuring out what they can do next. There are also some … Continue reading

Posted in Work/Employment | Tagged , , , | View Comments

“Combined years of experience” in legal advertising

This advertising tactic is a bit of a joke in legal circles. Yet it pops up surprisingly frequently. I am sure you have seen lawyers ads touting the “combined experience” of the lawyers in the firm: 18 years of combined … Continue reading

Posted in Working with Lawyers/Attorneys | View Comments

What exactly are Social Security disability benefits?

If you are like most people, you probably have never had to think about what you would do if you became disabled. What would you do if you suddenly could not work? How would you pay your rent or mortgage? … Continue reading

Posted in Definitions | Tagged , | View Comments

38 conditions added to Compassionate Allowance program in Social Security disability cases

Thirty-eight additional medical conditions have been added to Social Security’s list of conditions which qualify for fast-track Compassionate Allowances in Social Security disabilty claims. The addition of these new conditions expands the scope of Compassionate Allowances to a broader subgroup … Continue reading

Posted in SSA News | Tagged | View Comments

How going to school affects a Social Security disability benefits case?

I have worked with a number of people who have gone back to school while applying for Social Security disability benefits. This may be going to (or back to) college, trade school, or just getting more training. Generally, Social Security … Continue reading

Posted in Building a Case | View Comments

How much can I get from SSI in 2010?

Social Security usually increases Supplemental Security Income benefits annually. Since 2007, SSI benefits have increased from $623, to $637 (in 2008), to $674 (in 2009). Sadly, Social Security is not increasing SSI benefits for 2010. SSI benefits are staying at … Continue reading

Posted in Building a Case | View Comments

What’s new in Social Security in 2010?

The Social Security Red Book page has a nice summary of the the changes in the Social Security system in 2010: We increased the Substantial Gainful Activity SGA amount for individuals with disabilities, other than blindness, from $980 to $1000 … Continue reading

Posted in Definitions | Tagged , , | View Comments

Can a 18 year old full time student still get Social Security child’s benefits?

I was recently asked if Social Security child’s benefits continue for a full time student who is 18 or over. At first blush, the regulations seem to suggest it might be possible. 20 CFR 404.350 “Who is entitled to child’s … Continue reading

Posted in Children's SSI, Definitions, Disabled Adult Child (DAC) | Tagged , , | View Comments

Can adopted children receive Social Security benefits because of parent’s disability?

Children can get Social Security benefits if they have a parent who is receiving Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (SSDI). 20 CFR 404.350 is the regulation dealing with who is entitled to Social Security child’s benefits. Generally, the child has to … Continue reading

Posted in Definitions | Tagged , , | View Comments

What are Social Security auxiliary benefits

When a disabled individual receives Social Security disability insurance benefits (also known as DIB, SSDI or Title 2 benefits), their spouse or minor children may also be eligible to receive Social Security benefits. These benefits paid to the spouse or … Continue reading

Posted in Auxiliary Benefits, Definitions | Tagged , | View Comments