Best Practices for Social Security Disability Representatives
Social Security has a great overview site for new Social Security disability representatives (both lawyers and non-lawyers) going over best practices before the Social Security Administration.
Here are some good tips:
Timely submit the form ssa-1696 and fee agreement.
Timely alert the hearing office of any change of address or phone number for either yourself or the claimant.
Do not submit duplicative evidence.
Submit evidence as far in advance of the hearing as possible, using electronic records express.
Before faxing evidence, check to ensure the evidence you are submitting matches the claimant.
Make sure the barcode is the first item faxed in order to ensure proper identification of all …
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.
H.264
H.264
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:
You can replace your Social Security card for free if it is lost or stolen. However, you may not need to get a replacement card. Knowing your Social Security number is what is important. Social Security does not take reports of lost or stolen Social Security cards or numbers. If you have lost your card, you may apply for a replacement but …
Are Social Security disability benefits taxable?
People often ask, “Do I have to pay taxes on Social Security benefits?”
SSI benefits are not federally taxable.
Things get a bit more complicated with SSDI benefits. Here is the answer directly from Social Security:
Question: I receive Social Security disability benefits. Do I have to pay income tax on these benefits?
Answer: You will have to pay federal taxes on your benefits if you file a federal tax return as an individual and your total income is more than $25,000. If you file a joint return, you will have to pay taxes if you and your spouse have a total income of more than $32,000.
Social Security has no authority to withhold …
Where is your Social Security file? Try the automated file locator
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 asked for the first 5 digits of your client’s Social Security number.
The automated file locator will give you the telephone number of the office handling that claim. When you call that phone number, you get to talk with a person who can actually help you.
So, if you …
Save yourself a trip to Social Security – Use SSA Online!
Before you put yourself through the drudgery of going down to your local Social Security office, check the Social Security website to see if you can take care of your problem without going in.
There are a lot of things you can take care of online.
Social Security Judge’s approval or denial numbers published by Oregonian
Would you like to know what percentage of cases the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) assigned to your Social Security disability, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) case, approves and denies?
In response to a Freedom of Information Act request by The Oregonian, the Social Security Administration released the production numbers and approval rates for all of its administrative law judges. The agency released complete reports for 2005, 2006 and 2007. The table for 2008 covers most — but not all — of the year.
Click below and enter the Judge’s name to see the statistics for that judge.
Social Security Benefit Calculators
Do you want to know how much you would receive in Social Security benefits if you were disabled, retired, or if your spouse died?
Social Security has online calculators, as well as calculators you can download (Mac versions too), to help you estimate what your Social Security benefits will be.
If you have problems using these calculators, Social Security also estimates your retirement, disability, and family maximum benefits in the ”Social Security Statement” it mails to you every year before your birthday. Tip: the benefit estimates usually appears in the inner, left page.
Have you …
Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool checks if you can get Social Security
If you wonder if you are eligible for Social Security benefits, Social Security has an interactive website to help you answer this question.
Visit Social Security’s BEST (Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool).
BEST checks if you are eligible for the following benefits:
Medicare
Social Security Disability
Social Security Retirement
Social Security Survivors
Special Veterans
Supplemental Security Income
Have you tried BEST, share your experiences in the comments!
How to find your local Social Security office
Whether you are applying for benefits or need to get a form, sometimes you just need to find the closest Social Security office.
The Social Security website has a great tool to help you find your local Social Security office.
Just enter your zip code and Social Security will tell you which office is closest to you and serves your area.
This will also give you a map, telephone numbers, and office hours.
How to apply for Social Security disability benefits
There are several ways to start an application for Social Security benefits:
At your local Social Security office
While this make take the longest amount of time (depending on the wait times at your local office), applying in person has the advantage of having a live person to ask to if you have a question. The downside of applying in person is that if you are missing a critical piece of information, you may not be able to complete the application.
If you need help finding your local Social Security office, click here.
Online
If you prefer …
Warning about Social Security’s online services
Paul Nidich has a warning about using the online services at Social Security’s website.
Tuesday I posted a message with information about the Social Security Administration’s new benefits’ estimator and other online services. Use these new tools, but use them with caution. Assume that the “bugs” haven’t yet been worked out of the system, and DO NOT make any critical decisions based upon these new tools.
I spoke with an old friend Tuesday night who used to work for Social Security. As we were discussing my message, he commented that it would probably take a good two years before all of the bugs got worked out of …
Frequently Asked Social Security Questions
The National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR) has a great FAQ about Social Security disability claims.
Another use for ALISON: has your doctor been suspended?
ALISON (Automated Licensure Information System Online), is the online licensing database for the state of Colorado. I previously wrote about how this site is a great resource for finding an address for your doctor.
This site also has another use. If your doctor has been suspended, this will show up ALISON.
Need help finding your doctor’s office in Colorado?
When you apply for Social Security benefits, you will need to provide the name and address of each doctor you have seen for the last several years.
You may have this information for your current doctors, but finding the addresses for your older doctors may be trickier.
How do I find your doctor’s address if she has moved her office?
You can check old business cards, appointment cards, medical records or invoices for this information. You can also check the yellow pages, or check Google.
If all this fails, there is still one more way to track down a doctor.
If you are in Colorado and you have internet access, try ALISON (The Automated Licensure Information System Online). This is the online licensing database for the state of Colorado. If the doctor is licensed in Colorado, you should be able to find the doctor and the his/her current business address.
