Category Archives: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

A worry for those qualified to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is whether the necessary funds will be available to pay their benefits?  After waiting for years to go through the process, the thought must turn to whether the program will be solvent despite the worker paying into the system for years.  Representative Xavier Bacerra

The statistics bear out that someone trying to get Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits are most likely to be successful at a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). Check out my recent post regarding the hearing office wait times and approval percentages. However, as noted over 50% of

One of my biggest pet peeves in practicing Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims is attorneys and representatives that do not personally know or meet with their clients before the hearing. This is probably second only to non-attorney representatives handling Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and SSI cases. See “Dangers

When it comes to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims, there is nothing more frustrating than the length of time claims are at the hearing office before hearings are held. Just last week, I posted an update on the average processing times and approval rates for Social Security Disability Insurance

I recently looked at the total length of times five of my Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims took from start to finish. Now I will take my regular look at the processing times and approval rates for Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims for East

I periodically write about the average processing times for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims at the hearing offices. For instance, my latest update on this was on June 4, 2015. The average processing times and hearing wait times are growing and are inexcusable. However, we are apt to forget

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cases are typically won or lost on the strength of the medical evidence and the credibility of the claimant. However, if you are an attorney representing claimants, there are certain things you should always remember in preparing a case for hearing. 1. Failure to formulate

On April 26, 2015, I posted the average processing times and approval rates for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims for East Tennessee and Eastern Kentucky. Already, the numbers need to be updated. Please remember that these statistics are only for claims pending at the hearing level or Office of

I recently blogged about Attorney Fees in Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cases, but there are instances where attorneys can get paid for work performed before the federal court under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA). To aid individuals have access to the Court systems to remedy unjust governmental

I am often asked about how attorneys are paid on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (technically non-attorney representatives are paid the same way, but see about the “Dangers of Non-Attorney Reps in Social Security”). First, any fee charged or collected by a representative must be approved by the Social Security

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits may be paid directly to a disabled worker or another person may draw benefits as a result of that worker. Auxiliary beneficiaries encompass dependency and survivor benefits that first require a wage earner who met entitlement requirements. The following are types of auxiliary beneficiaries: 1. Spousal insurance benefits: The spouse can

Today, even compared to ten years ago, useful resources for the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or SSI attorney are everywhere. The cost can range from nothing for readily available materials on the internet to hundreds of dollars for multi-volume treatises. Apart from traditional resource material (paper or electronic), an attorney now also has more wide

When a person is receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, the monthly amounts can affect or be affected by other benefits or amounts recovered under other federal, state, and/or private benefit policies. Of course, monthly SSDI benefits can affect a person’s eligibility for SSI benefits under the federal statutes

Often applicants for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) receive Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits and questions arise as to problems this situation may present. Both programs have different definitions and thus receipt of UI benefits is not necessary contradictory. Currently, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has the policy described below. Receipt of UI benefits is a factor to be

Time for the updated on the average processing times and approval rates for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cases at the hearing level. You can click here to review the March update and compare. Please remember that these statistics are only for claims pending at the hearing level or Office

Periodically, the Social Security Administration (SSA) produces “rulings” that clarify or discuss some policy or regulation regarding Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or SSI.  For instance, in 2014 the SSA releases SSR 14-1 dealing with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.  SSR 15-1p rescinds and replaces SSR 02-2p: “Titles II and XVI: Evaluation of Interstitial Cystitis.” The stated purpose of the

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and SSI claimants suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) know that they often have a tough battle convincing people of the severity of their condition. This includes administrative law judges working for the Social Security Administration who often discredit the disease like they have historically done for those suffering from

Attention claimants and representatives regarding Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claims!  The SSA published the final rules on the submission of adverse evidence in disability claims.  The final rules amend both the regulations on “Evidence of your impairment” (20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1512 and 416.912 and the “Rules of Conduct and standards of responsibility for representatives” (20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1740

In a continuation of my recent series on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for heart related conditions, this week I will look at the Social Security Administration’s requirements for SSDI and SSI when someone has undergone a heart transplant. Feel free to review the rules on Chronic Heart Failure (CHF)

A person may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) based on certain heart conditions. Recently, I discussed eligibility based on Chronic Heart Failure (CHF). This week I am going to focus on the Social Security Administration’s evaluation when a person suffers from ischemic heart disease. If someone is