Category Archives: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

Social Security Disability and SSI claims are decided upon what a person can still do – the Residual Functional Capacity (RFC). Recently, I looked at the Social Security Administration’s definition of a sedentary RFC.  This week, I will look at how the SSA’s definition of light work.  The SSA defines light work as: The regulations define light

Often, Social Security Disability claims come down to deciding whether a person can work at a sedentary job. That naturally begs the question: What is a sedentary job? The Social Security Administration uses the same definition as the Dictionary of Occupational Titles when defining exertional levels of work. The SSA defines sedentary as: The ability

Social Security Disability and SSI claimants are waiting longer to have their cases heard. The national average processing time for claims before the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review is up to 372 days with 46% of cases being approved. In Tennessee, the average processing time is 388 days with 53% of cases approved. This

If I am approved for Social Security Disability benefits, how much will I get? For Social Security Disability, it all depends upon how much you have worked and earned in the past. For disabled widow’s or widower’s benefits, it depends upon how much the late husband or wife worked and earned. For disabled adult child

Can I get Social Security Disability benefits if I expect to get better and return to work? You have to be disabled for at least one year or be expected to be disabled for at least one year. So, if you expect to be out of work for one year or more on account of illness

Including Social Security Disability, there are several kinds of benefits for which a person can be eligible. The medical rules are the same for all categories, you must be just as disabled to qualify for one as for another. The non-medical requirements are different for each category. Disability Insurance Benefits: You are only eligible for these benefits if

The SSA uses a five-step process to decide entitlement to Social Security Disability or SSI. Are you working? If you are working and your earnings average more than a certain amount each month, you generally will not be considered disabled. The amount you can earn changes each year. If you are not working, or your monthly

When Do I Apply For Social Security Disability? You should apply as you become disabled. It can take a long time to process an application for disability benefits. It can take up to six months at each of the disability application and appeal levels. The wait for a hearing has grown and currently averages right around

The Social Security Administration is replacing the label “mental retardation” in Social Security Disability claims with “intellectual disability” as of September 3, 2013. The change “reflects the widespread adoption of the term ‘intellectual disability’ by Congress, government agencies, and public and private organizations” and acknowledges the term “mental retardation” conjures up negative connotations and may

A person with recurrent arrhythmias that cannot work may qualify for Social Security Disability or SSI benefits.  Broadly defined, cardiac arrhythmias are any abnormality or perturbation in the normal activation sequence of the myocardium. The sinus node, displaying properties of automaticity, spontaneously depolarizes, sending a depolarization wave over the atrium, depolarizing the atrioventricular (AV) node, propagating

Persons suffering from anterior poliomyelitis may qualify for Social Security Disability or SSI benefits.  The requirements are set out in section 11 of the Listings.  If a person has anterior poliomyelitis with: A. Persistent difficulty with swallowing or breathing; or B. Unintelligible speech; or C. Disorganization of motor function resulting in significant and persistent disorganization of

Someone suffering from peripheral neuropathies may qualify for Social Security Disability or SSI benefits. Peripheral neuropathy, a result of nerve damage, often causes numbness and pain in your hands and feet. People typically describe the pain of peripheral neuropathy as tingling or burning, while they may compare the loss of sensation to the feeling of wearing

Moving through the Social Security Disability process can be frustratingly slow. People applying for benefits usually have limited resources and are desperate for relief. When I first meet with someone about SSD/SSI, I try to be honest about the length of time involved. Invariably, I am asked about “moving my case up” or expediting the case. The Social Security

A person suffering Myasthenia gravis may qualify for Social Security Disability or SSI benefits. Myasthenia gravis is nervous disorder characterized by weakness and rapid fatigue of any of the muscles under your voluntary control. Myasthenia gravis is caused by a breakdown in the normal communication between nerves and muscles. There is no cure for myasthenia gravis,

A person may qualify for Social Security Disability or SSI benefits on the basis of Huntington’s disease or Huntington’s chorea. Huntington’s disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative genetic disorder that affects muscle coordination and leads to cognitive decline and psychiatric problems. It typically becomes noticeable in mid-adult life. HD is the most common genetic cause of abnormal

There is bad news for Social Security Disability or SSI claimants in that the average processing times for hearings have increased and are likely to continue increasing due to the federal budgetary cuts known as “sequestration.” In East Tennessee, the average processing times at the hearing level alone (the time from a request for a hearing

Social Security Disability or SSI benefits can be awarded to individuals suffering from a low IQ or as the Social Security Administration (SSA) has previously called “mental retardation.” The SSA recently proposed changing the term from “mental retardation” to “intellectual disability” to be consistent with the terms widespread adoption by the government and other organizations. In pertinent

Persons suffering from Parkinson’s Disease or Parkinsonian Syndrome may qualify for Social Security Disability or SSI benefits. If the claimant’s condition is severe enough and well documented, the Social Security Administration may approve her claim without even considering the ability to do past work or other work in the economy. The requirements are set out

Claimants applying for Social Security Disability or SSI need to be aware of the Social Security Administration’s recent announcement regarding claims involving drug or alcohol addiction (DAA). Recently published SSR 13-2p: explains our policies for how we consider whether “drug addiction and alcoholism” (DAA) is a contributing factor material to our determination of disability in disability claims

Social Security Disability and SSI claimants now have more opportunities to get their cases fast-tracked for certain conditions. On December 6, 2012, the SSA Commissioner announced 35 additional Compassionate Allowance (CAL) conditions bringing the total number of conditions up to 200. The CAL initiative is designed to quickly identify diseases and other medical conditions that