Posts under ‘Basics’

What’s the next thing to review in the Social Security exhibit file after the medical records?Check these critical dates: Alleged Onset Date (AOD) & Date Last Insured (DLI)!
The E section usually contains for two documents that provide this information:

“Disability Report – Field Office”
“Disability Report – Appeal”

These reports also tells you whether Social Security thinks there should be [...]

One of my colleagues in the fight to help disabled individuals get their Social Security disability benefits, attorney Johnathon Ginsberg, tackles whether you have to submit unfavorable medical evidence to Social Security.
I see this frequently in cases where there was a workers’ compensation case. “Company doctors” often minimize symptoms and generate records indicating that [...]

Let’s say you are reviewing your Social Security exhibit file before your disability hearing and you discover that some of your doctor’s (or other records) are not there. I have mentioned before that it is not unusual for the medical records in a Social Security file to be a year or more out of date.
What [...]

How do you begin to review your Social Security exhibit file? Here is a quick guide to finding the really important parts.
Start with the “F” section to review the medical records.

If you do not review anything else in the file, you need to know what medical records are there (and what records are missing).
Here is [...]

Just before your Social Security hearing, you will be given a cd and pointed at a computer. If you ask, someone may help you load up the disk and get you to a screen that looks like this:
Ok, now what?
What is all this stuff and what do I do with it?
Social Security uses electronic case [...]

The news has been going around for some time that there will be no cost of living adjustment in Social Security benefits (including retirement and disability benefits) for the next two years, 2010 and 2011. However, it looks like the real amount of benefits will actually  decrease for many.
The trustees who oversee Social Security are projecting [...]

There is a new Social Security blog written by a 34 year veteran of the Social Security Administration.
One of his recent articles talks about the pros and cons of Social Security debit cards
… paying benefits digitally rather than by paper is a big savings to SSA. It cost about $1.00 to mail a paper check [...]

I was asked to address some of the issues parents should consider when deciding whether to start an application for Social Security disability benefits (typically children’s Supplemental Security Income – SSI – benefits) for their disabled child.
Many parents worry that if their child receives Social Security disability benefits, they will be labeled as “disabled,” and [...]

Working while applying for Social Security disability benefits is a topic I have previously discussed. However, reading that article, you might come to the conclusion that it is never a good idea to work if you are either on, or applying for Social Security benefits (including Supplemental Security Income – SSI benefits).
However, there are circumstances [...]

What happens to your Social Security case if your condition improves and you can go back to work? If your disability meets the “durational requirement,” you may still qualify for a closed period of disability and still be entitled to Social Security disability benefits.
Most claims for Social Security disability benefits ask for an “open” period of disability: [...]

Today’s guest article is contributed by Meredith Walker, who writes about the masters in public health. She welcomes your feedback at “MeredithWalker1983 at gmail.com” Enjoy the article and please make her feel welcome!
Complex partial seizures are epileptic seizures that affect one particular region of the brain. These seizures do not usually cause a tonic seizure more [...]

To qualify for Social Security disability benefits you have to show that your disability prevents you from being able to work. In Social Security’s words, you have to show that you are unable to engage in a substantial gainful activity (SGA). SGA translates into a maximum dollar amount you are allowed to earn and still be potentially eligible [...]

This is a particularly tough question. I previously wrote about how earning more than the Substantial Gainful Activity amount may cause your benefits to be stopped in Social Security Disability Insurance cases. 
In SSI cases, I just learned that you can earn more than the SGA amount and still keep your SSI benefits.
WARNING: I do not pretend to be a understand [...]

This is just pure gold.  I wish I could take credit for finding this, but Gordon Gates deserves major kudos for discovering this service.
…there is a number (not a person) to call to inquire about a Social Security disability claim. Call the automated file locator number: 1-410-965-8882. The number is available only during business hours. You will be [...]

The “Social Security Hot Topics” Continuing Legal Education (CLE) program provided quite a bit of information about the state of Social Security.
More judges on the way:

150 new judges already hired in 2009.
20-30 additional judges to be hired before end of 2009
~200 more judges to be hired in 2010.

Applications on the rise:
With the poor economy, more [...]