Category Archives: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

One of the toughest things I have to do when explaining to people applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or whose application has been denied is the length of the process. I try to regularly provide an update on processing times and approval rates for Social Security Disability Insurance

John Dreiser and Tony Farmer were elected by their peers to be “Top Attorneys” in several areas of practice. CityView Magazine’s July/August 2018 issue contained the annual listing of attorneys voted as the best in different practice areas by other attorneys in East Tennessee. Tony and John have been honored in every year since 2007

A lot of people who are too sick to continue working agonize over the idea of talking to their doctor and asking his or her permission to file for disability. They’re often afraid of being rejected or being told that the doctor won’t lend their support. Fortunately, that’s a conversation most people don’t actually have

The Social Security Administration (“SSA”) recently adopted final rules revising the Rules of Conduct and Standards of Responsibility for Appointed Representatives for representation of claimants in Social Security Disability Insurance (“SSDI”) and Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) claims. The SSA announced the rule revisions are to update and clarify procedures for bringing charges against a representative

Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits are vital to millions of people who are too sick or too injured to work. These benefits help recipients pay for utility bills, food, housing and transportation. Some recipients use the benefits to pay for their medical care. Whatever the reason, there are some myths out there about the benefits

It can be difficult to get approved for Social Security benefits for migraines — despite that fact that you may have them so often and so severely that it’s utterly impossible to hold a job. Part of the problem is that migraines are just now being recognized as a real medical condition. For a long

Whether you are completing an application online or mailing in a paper form for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you should know that one in three applications are denied at first. While this can be a rather daunting and disappointing statistic, here are some tips that can help you increase your chances of success.

On March 23, 2018, the Senate passed its version of the previously passed House bill for the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018. After years of almost equal spending, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will see a $480,000,000 increase in administrative funding over the fiscal year of 2017 appropriation. The bill directs the SSA to spend

A recurring theme for my blog entries is the average processing time and number of claims waiting for hearings. Recently released statistics by the Social Security Administration (SSA) reveal that the number of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims awaiting ALJ hearings continues to drop. As of February of 2018

A recent report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) shows statistical evidence in the fact that claimants in Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims have a three times higher rate of success at hearings than those claimants who do not have representatives. The report sites as one of the reasons

Social Security is for more than just retirement planning. Thousands of Americans with temporary or permanent disability use benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) to make life with disabilities or recovery from them easier. Since no two injuries are identical, every case is unique. If a disability claim requires an appeal or extra evidence

One of the toughest things I have to do when explaining to people who are applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or whose application has been denied is the length of the process. I try to regularly provide an update on processing times and approval rates for Social Security

You apply for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits, knowing you can’t work and feeling like you should definitely get approved. Instead, your application is rejected. You’re stunned. Why would this happen? Below are a few reasons, which are worth considering while you decide if you want to appeal the decision. You’re only disabled because you

Contrary to one of the popular myths that everyone is trying to get disability (another is that everyone with nothing wrong with them gets disability) are the recent statistics from the Social Security Administration (SSA) indicating that applications for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) have decreased every year since peaking

I recently blogged about new rules promulgated by the Social Security Administration (SSA) regarding Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims. There has been a lot of confusion regarding whether an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) can decline to consider evidence that was not necessarily provided prior to the five business day

In October of 2017, the government announced information important to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and SSI recipients, as well as Social Security retirees. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and SSI recipients will see a 2.0% increase in benefits for the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) starting in January of 2018. The COLA is based on the

The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently released an updated plan to reduce the hearing backlog for people waiting for hearings on their Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims. The updated plan is part of the Compassionate and Responsive Services (CARES) initiative of the SSA. The original CARES plan set a

People seeking Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits should be aware that the Social Security Administration (SSA) recently announced the addition of three conditions to its Compassionate Allowance (CAL) List. The CAL Program is designed to quickly identify diseases or other medical conditions that would invariable medially qualify the

One of the toughest things I have to do when explaining to people who are applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or whose application has been denied is the length of the process. I try to regularly provide an update on processing times and approval rates for Social Security

Children are a source of infinite joy and infinite worry. Parents experience a new level of emotions when they welcome children into the world. In some situations, these little loved ones may develop a serious illness or suffer a catastrophic injury. In some cases, these children may qualify for benefits through Social Security. When can