Estate Planning for People on Disability or Fixed Income
If you’re living on Social Security Disability, VA benefits, a pension, or retirement savings, you may think estate planning is only for the wealthy. The truth is, everyone—regardless of income—needs a plan. Estate planning is about protecting yourself during your lifetime and making sure your wishes are carried out when you’re gone. For people on a fixed income, having the...
Common Reasons VA Disability Claims Are Reduced or Terminated
Winning your VA disability claim is a major victory — but it’s not always the end of the story. Many veterans are surprised to learn that the VA can review, reduce, or even terminate disability benefits under certain circumstances. Knowing the warning signs and understanding your rights can help you protect the benefits you’ve earned. Why the VA Reduces Benefits...
Which Trust Is Right for Me and My Family?
If you’ve recently won your disability claim, you’ve likely been focused on financial stability and health. But as life moves forward, it’s important to think about the future—specifically, how to protect your assets and provide for your loved ones. One of the most effective ways to do that is by setting up a trust. But not all trusts are created...
What Happens If Your Primary Beneficiary Dies? Why a Backup Plan Matters
When it comes to planning for the future, naming beneficiaries on your accounts, insurance policies, and estate planning documents is a key step in ensuring your loved ones are taken care of after you’re gone. But what many people don’t realize is this: choosing a primary beneficiary is only part of the plan. What if that person passes away before...
How to Win Disability Benefits for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
Can you claim disability benefits for chronic fatigue? This is a common question we hear from clients and claimants with CFS. The answer is “Yes,” but the process can be difficult because of the nature of the illness. There is no specific test for CFS, which makes diagnosis challenging. It is often mistaken for other conditions that show similar signs...
Long COVID & Social Security Disability: How to Turn a Lingering Virus into a Legally “Severe” Impairment
1. Why This Topic Matters COVID-19 may have slipped from the headlines, but its lasting after-effects keep flooding the desks of claimant’s lawyers and adjudicators. A February 2025 Kaiser Family Foundation survey estimates nearly 18 million U.S. adults still report “post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection” (PASC, a/k/a Long COVID)—and a non-trivial slice are now unable to keep a job. Meanwhile,...
Why You Might Still Be Waiting on the Social Security Office — and What You Can Do About It
If you’ve tried to call the Social Security Administration (SSA) and have been stuck on hold, you're not alone. A recent Washington Post report revealed that the SSA has begun pulling staff from local field offices to help manage its overwhelmed national phone line. That means longer wait times and fewer in-person appointments — just when many Americans need help...
Guardianship vs. Power of Attorney: Is There a Difference?
As we age or manage chronic disabilities, planning ahead becomes more important than ever—especially when it comes to who will make decisions if we no longer can. Two common tools for planning are powers of attorney and guardianships. They both allow someone else to make decisions on your behalf, but they work very differently—and knowing the distinction can help protect...
How to File for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): A Step-by-Step Guide
Marc Whitehead & Associates | Board Certified in Social Security Disability Law Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) can be a complex and stressful experience. But with the right preparation, you can dramatically improve your chances of success. At Marc Whitehead & Associates, we’ve helped thousands of clients across the country navigate the SSDI process and win the benefits...
Ava Deakin Wins Marc Whitehead & Associates’ 2025 Flora Marie Jenkins Memorial Disability Scholarship
Ava Deakin’s response to the 2025 Flora Marie Jenkins Memorial Disability Scholarship prompt moved Marc Whitehead & Associates’ scholarship selection committee. In less than 1,000 words, Deakin painted a picture not only of her own accomplishments but also of the ways that young people with disabilities are forced to go above and beyond for their own sense of ease. Deakin...