Social Security Disability SSI - Billions paid out in error ?

This is the headline from an AP story that was published on 4/19/06:Social Security Loses Billions To Ineligible, Overpaid Disability Beneficiaries.According to an SSA report, between October 2003 and November 2005, the social security administration made $5.1 billion in overpayments to beneficiaries and paid $9.1 billion to ineligible beneficiaries. Terrible, huh?Truthfully, I wanted to laugh

Read More

Should you even try to work while receiving Social Security Disability or SSI ?

Even those represent social security disability and ssi claimants think that it may be too risky, as this thread from SSA Connect suggests:Working while collecting SSDAnd here's a blog post on an unfortunate situation being endured by a fellow blogger:The dreaded SS letter And, finally, a prior post on the subject from this disability blog:If you already receive social security disability or

Read More

Social Security Disability SSI and the Health Insurance Issue

The findings of a study conducted by the Commonwealth Fund (published 4/25/06) found that 60 percent of American adults who lack health insurance and have chronic illnesses such as heart disease are unable to take their prescribed medications.Lack of health insurance, certainly, is a huge issue for disabled individuals who are seeking to win social security disability or ssi benefits. To win

Read More

United 93 - Comments on the film

I would definitely recommend United 93 to anyone who is thinking about seeing this movie. If you have reservations about it because you think it may be emotionally intense, depressing and sad, and may inspire some visceral feelings within yourself, well, your reservations are well-founded. The story of United flight 93 is gripping, emotionally engaging, tragic and poignant, and, yes, it does

Read More

How many disability appeals do you get ?

Well, in one sense, you get as many disability appeals as you want, simply because there is no limit on the number of times that you can file for social security disability or ssi benefits (however, having said this, please understand that filing a new application for ssd or ssi is not the same as filing an appeal --- and I only say that because, believe it or not, many individuals do make this

Read More

If you already receive social security disability or ssi benefits, can you work ?

The answer to this question will be similar to the answer given for the previous question (can you apply for social security disability or ssi if you are working?). Technically, you must simply stay under the SGA limit as determined for a specific year.However, it should be said that individuals who are only applying for disability benefits are in a somewhat different position from individuals

Read More

Can you apply for social security disability or ssi if you are working ?

Yes, you may apply for social security disability or ssi benefits if you are working, as long as your monthly gross earned income is under the SGA amount. What is SGA? It stands for substantial gainful activity. The concept is this: if you can work, but due to the restrictions of your disability, you cannot earn (gross) more than a certain amount (the SGA amount) each month, then you may be

Read More

Do you have to be totally permanently disabled to get social security disability or ssi ?

Workers compensation claims utilize the concepts of permanent, partial, and total disability. And even workman's comp claims may differ based on the laws that govern such claims in a given state.The social security administration, however, is a federal system, and the guidelines, rules, and regulations for disability claims filed with SSA reflect this.Therefore, Social Security Disability and

Read More

Qualifying for Disability - How difficult are the Qualifications ?

If you talk to enough people who have been through the ringer of qualifying for social security disability or ssi disability, you'll find many commonalities and shared opinions. For example, a great many claimants will remark on how long it took for their inital claim to be processed (which, more often than not, ended up as a denial for benefits). Others who found it necessary to file a request

Read More

For what medical conditions can you be approved for disability ?

This is actually one of the few good points that can be said about the SSA systemthat adjudicates social security disability and ssi disability claims. You can be approved on the basis of any medical condition, regardless of whether or not that condition is specifically listed in the SSA impairment listing manual. Why is this? Simply because the focus of the social security disability and ssi

Read More

What are the chances of winning at a disability hearing?

This is a fairly common question and a very logical one if you consider this one fact. In some parts of the country, it can take as long as a year to get to a hearing. And, in many parts of the country, it can take over two years. Obviously, waiting such a long time can exact a huge financial toll on a person. Obviously, as well, a claimant who "toughs it out" wants to win when their hearing

Read More

How to File for disability or File for SSI - do it as soon as possible

This is really just a bit of practical advice. If you think you are disabled, file for disability benefits asap (whether the disability application is for social security disability or SSI will be determined by the social security administration when you go to apply).I only say this because so many people who later, at some point, become applicants for social security disability or ssi disability

Read More

SSI Disability

SSI Disability? What is it, exactly? Is it the same as social security disability? Well, in most ways, it is. SSI falls under title 16 of the social security act and it stands for supplemental security income. In terms of disability, SSI is designed to provide disability benefits to those who have never worked and, as a result, never became eligible for social security disability benefits. SSI is

Read More

Social Security Disability Reform ? Don't think so.

Someone posted this at SSA Connect:"At a recent conference, reps from various branches with the ssa acknowledged the only reason people like us existed was because they had not been doing their jobs - but - that is going to change and the current commissioner is determined to see that through. you know what, for the first time, i believe that is going to happen. if the rollout in region one is

Read More

Who are these people who work at "Social security disability"?

I usually refer to the state agency that handles disability determinations by its actual name: DDS or disability determination services (also known as the bureau of disability determination in some states). However, examiners who currently work there will refer to the place as "social security disability". And, in fact, that's often how they answer the phones.Who works at social security

Read More

Social Security Disability SSI and Hiv and Aids

A number of years ago, it was true that a CD4 count below a certain threshold was enough to qualify a claimant for disability benefits. That's no longer the case, however. Now, the focus of eligibility for social security disability and ssi is on whether or not a claimant is symptomatic.The reasoning is not difficult to understand, of course. With advances in medical treatment, the outlook for

Read More

Social Security Disability, SSI Hearing Tips

I've seen it happen a million times. A claimant waits as long as 2 years to get to a scheduled hearing before an administrative law juge. It's the day they've been waiting for, it's the day that has hung like a sword of damocles over their head for weeks since the hearing appointment letter arrrived. And on the way to the hearing they get lost. Or get mired in an incredible traffic jam.Don't let

Read More

The Criteria for Social Security Disability and SSI

What is the criteria for social security disability and ssi? There are two different ways to go about answering the question. The first concerns basic eligibility criteria. To be eligible for social security disability benefits, an individual must have worked and paid into the "system" sufficiently enough to have become insured for disability benefits. This is, in fact, why social security is

Read More

How can you improve your chances of winning disability

Can you improve your chances to win after filing a claim with the social security administration? This is a relevant and practical question for applicants at all levels of the process. And, in some regards, improving one's chances of winning may depend on simply not making certain mistakes.However, the answer to this question may depend on what level your claim is at in the federal disability

Read More

Social Security Disability SSI - How long does it take to get a hearing for disability ?

It can take quite a long time to get a hearing date for a disability claim. In fact, without even counting the time it takes to go through the initial claim step and then proceed through the review or reconsideration step, it can take up to two years to get a date for a hearing. Of course, the amount of time needed to wait for a hearing will vary depending on where you live. Is there any way to

Read More

From the Final Rule on Social Security Disability and SSI "reform"

This is taken from the final rule which was posted online at ssa.gov:"While the administrative law judge will not consider the Federal reviewing official's decision to be evidence, the written decision will explain in detail why the administrative law judge agrees or disagrees with the substantive findings and overall rationale of the Federal reviewing official's decision."Ok, what is this

Read More

Social Security Claims Reps who are long in the tooth, jobwise

Couldn't resist posting this one. I know of a social security field office claims rep who recently received a pin for 30 years of service. The pin was 10k gold. Stamped on the box, though, were the words "made in china".Return to the Social Security Disability SSI Benefits BlogOther Posts Filing a disability claim - don't procrastinate, get it done ? Apply for SSI How to qualify for

Read More

Are Social Security Disability Judges Ogres?

Its always going to be the case that the social security disability evaluation system is characterized as insensitive and unsympathetic, as well as incompetent, simply because...well, because it is.And, correspondingly, it may always be the case that administrative law judges are characterized as ogres. Are they all ogres? Of course not. But enough of them are ogres that the label may suitably

Read More

Come one, Come all ! -- Reps who take any and every Social Security Disability or SSI case -- a good or bad thing?

I received an email once from an attorney who is a partner of a large firm that specializes in Social Security Disability - SSI, Workers compensation, and LTD (long term disability). Before getting into his reason for emailing me, he made mention of the fact that his firm was not a "mill"; in other words, they did not take any and every case they could get their hands on. In saying this, he

Read More

Social Security Disability Benefits and being scared shitless

A couple days ago, I came across another blog written by a woman named Lisa. Her post was simply excellent (here's it is if you'd like to read it: A tough disability question).Here's one part of Lisa's post that stuck in my mind (this was not her talking about her condition but rather her citing a possible scenario to illustrate a point):"I'm scared shitless that if I try to work in any way and

Read More

Forrest Landry and the Blog super highway

I came across Forest Landry's blog a moment ago and I was struck by several things he said on his 4pm, April 14th 2006 post (Forrest Landry)." They automatically turn everyone down the first time, because they know that a good 80% will not appeal the decision. And then they turn down almost all the ones who appeal the first time, and they know there's a high percentage who won't go to the judge."

Read More

Disability Backlogs - Some numbers

This is from Attorney Charles Hall's blog. The numbers are noteworthy:SSA Backlogs and Delays

Read More

Invisible Disabilities - What does disability look like, after all?

I recently came across this on someone else's blog and I found it a bit irritating. Here's what they said."It seems like there are a lot of people who aren't really disabled and try to get on disability just so they don't have to work and then go around acting like they are so totally disabled."To this, I responded: "The vast majority of individuals who file for disability have legitimate

Read More

Social Security Disability SSI and Acceptable Medical Sources

In a recent post, I mentioned that chiropractors records are not considered medical evidence. I thought I should also mention another type of treatment professional whose records are not accepted or at least accepted at full face value: Physician assistants a.k.a. nurse practitioners.A physician assistant works under the supervision of an MD and can prescribe medicine, which a nurse cannot do.

Read More

As if from the minds of the hired help

I came across an attorney's blog today and noticed he was soliciting feedback from paralegals. The objective was for paralegals to make a list of things they'd like to say to the attorney they work for. Most of it was constructive I suppose. I almost wanted to post the following:1. Consider the possibility of screening potential new clients and not taking every single one in blanket fashion (this

Read More

Social Security Disability Reform and my inherent distrust of this administration

I've been meaning to get around to posting about upcoming changes to the disability evaluation system, but I just can't seem to get around to it. Well, at least I have some time. The first test states are in new england and that doesn't even begin until 8/1/06. When I do finally post about it, I suppose I'll focus on a few issues that, at this point, seem a bit murky but which, with additional

Read More

Social Security Disability SSI and Chiropractors

I just thought I would mention this since I am sure 99 percent of all applicants for social security disability or ssi are not aware of the fact. If you have a severe back condition (degenerative disc disease, arthritis, scoliosis, etc) and this forms the basis or partial basis for your claim, make sure you understand that records from a chiropractor are NOT considered medical evidence---not by

Read More

Once again - be very careful about information you find online

I hate to be negative about anyone, but one thing that really bothers me is patently bad information. Here's an excerpt of an article whose author (I won't list his name or provide a link to his site because that simply promotes this drivel) should be caned and flogged:"Instead of having an attorney represent you, bring other qualified individuals to speak on your behalf. This can include your

Read More

Bipolar Disorder, Social Security Disability and SSI, and alchol and drugs

After I made my last post (on bipolar disorder) I thought of something that might be worthy of mentioning since I'm sure the vast majority of disability claimants have not heard of the concept.Imbedded into the social security administration's disability evaluation system is a concept known as DAA materiality, DAA standing for drug and alcohol abuse. What it essentially means is this: if a

Read More

Bipolar Disorder, Social Security Disability, and Mixed states

I'm currently doing a bit of reading on Bipolar Disorder and for this purpose I've purchased half a dozen books. I suppose I come by my interest in this malady honestly. As a former disability examiner, I saw bipolar disorder as an allegation on quite a few cases (though, in all honesty, I don't seem to remember seeing as many bipolar cases at DDS a few years ago as the statistics for my website

Read More

Questions about applying for Social Security Disability or SSI

1. How do you apply for Social Security Disability or SSI? 2. The Criteria for Social Security Disability and SSI ? 3. Qualifying for Disability - How difficult ? 4. For what medical conditions can you be approved for disability ? 5. Do you have to be totally permanently disabled to get social security disability or ssi ? 6. Can you apply for social security disability or ssi if you are

Read More

How much will it cost to hire a Social Security Disability - SSI attorney?

Fortunately, it will cost you nothing up front to hire an attorney for a social security disability or ssi disability case. And, in fact, it will cost you nothing unless your case is won. However, if you are represented and you win your disability case, your attorney will be eligible to receive one-quarter of your backpayment up to a designated maximum. In 2011, the maximum fee that a disability

Read More

When should you get an attorney for a Social Security Disability or SSI claim?

You can get representation on a social security disability or ssi claim at any point in the process. Many claimants, of course, will not require representation during the initial claim phase. However, having said that, very many claimants will fare better if they simply get an attorney from the very beginning. Why do I say this? Too many claimants miss deadlines and fail to comply with various

Read More

How can a disability lawyer help you win a Social Security Disability or SSI case?

Can a lawyer help you fight and win a disability case with the social security administration? Yes, and this is particularly true if the lawyer you select specializes in the representation of social security claimants, versus a a lawyer who only takes the occasional case (in most areas of claimant representation, it will make more sense to utilize the services of a specialist versus a

Read More

What are the chances of winning Social Security Disability or SSI on an appeal?

Whether or not an individual will win their disability claim is a huge concern, simply due to the fact that the outcome of a case will affect a person's livelihood for years to come.The majority of people who apply for disability benefits with the social security administration get denied on their application. And the majority of individuals who submit their first appeal (called a request for

Read More

How do you file a Social Security Disability or SSI appeal?

An absolutely astounding number of claims filed with the social security administration are turned down by disability examiners (the decision makers on claims at the first two levels of the system prior to the hearing level). In fact, so many claims are denied at the application level that it has become a commonly spoken mantra that all claims are denied the first time.Actually, the social

Read More

What do you do if you get denied for Social Security Disability or SSI?

Adults who become disabled and unable to earn an income that is capable of supporting themselves may wish to consider filing for disability benefits with the social security administration. However, after turning in an application, these same individuals should probably prepare themselves for what is often a a long and difficult process for this one reason: most applications get denied.If you get

Read More

How many Social Security Disability and SSI cases get denied?

Unfortunately, it is a fact of life that disability cases get routinely denied at all levels of the social security administration's application and appeal system. And, of course, it is even sadder when very strong claims for benefits are turned down as well. As a former examiner for SSD and SSI cases, I saw numerous instances of this. The percentages, nationwide, are somewhat staggering to

Read More

Why does it take so long to get a decision on a Social Security Disability or SSI Disability case?

A claim that is filed with the social security administration on the basis of disability can take quite a while to process at the first stage. The first stage, of course, is the application stage. How long does this stage take? There are no deadlines and cases can take weeks or months. Most often, a decision on an application will be handed down in three or four months. But...sometimes it can

Read More

How long does it take to get a decision on a Social Security Disability or SSI case?

How long a claim with the social security administration may take can have a direct bearing on an applicant's ability to survive financially while they wait on a decision letter. And for this reason, this is certainly one of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to social security disability and ssi disability applications.And, unfortunately, the simplest and most honest answer is:

Read More

How does Social Security decide Disability cases?

The process used to decide social security disability and ssi cases is a bit complex but you can boil it down this way---when you file for disability benefits, the social security administration will (via the disability examiner at disability determination services or the bureau of disability determination):1. Request your medical records.2. Determine, after receipt of your medical records,

Read More

What is the decision making process on a Social Security Disability or SSI claim?

Generally speaking, the decision making process works like this: a disability examiner at disability determination services (the state agency that handles medical determinations for social security disability, ssi, and even medicaid cases) will request your medical records. Once those records are received, the disability examiner will begin to do a write-up of your case. In one sense, the

Read More

What happens after you apply for Social Security Disability or SSI ?

Unfortunately, this is a question that doesn't get answered very often. However, addressing this one particular question is fairly important.What happens after you apply? This is assuredly a mystery for most disability claimants and it isn't hard to guess why since most Claims reps (the individuals at the social security office who take disability applicants) do little to explain to SSD and SSI

Read More

How do you apply for Social Security Disability or SSI - How to file

Generally, you have three choices available to you when you wish to file for disability. You can go to ssa.gov and from there, if you feel brave enough, you can apply for social security disability or ssi disability benefits online.Your second choice is to head down to either a social security field office or district office (from your perspective, there's no practical difference between the two-

Read More

Social Security Disability - Long term disability : conflict of interest?

Here's something on Troy Rosasco's blog that illustrates again why there is no free lunch (in other words, do the legwork and get a social security disability representative who is entirely independent of your ltd claim):Why do long term disability insurance companies want you to use their handpicked Social Security Representative? Return to the Social Security Disability SSI Benefits BlogOther

Read More

Diabetes and Social Security Disability or SSI Benefits

Just some passing thoughts. I was speaking to my spouse the other day who, like me, is a former disability examiner for SSA (unlike me, however, she remains a cog in the system, working as a claims rep at a social security field office and, unlike her work associates, for fun she reads ALJ decisions and DDS examiner decisions--what a weirdo, eh?).We both remarked about how difficult it is for an

Read More

Of Algorithms and mice and men (and social security disability and ssi)

I just made a post on SSA connect (if you're not familiar with it, the SSA connect forum at http://www.ssaconnect.com is without a doubt the most excellent social security disability forum online, and perhaps the only true forum of its kind on the web) responding to someone who seemed to have the notion that the "predictive model"---referenced in the "final rule" for SSA's new approach to

Read More