A serious injury or medical condition has made it impossible for you to work and earn a living. You file a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). You await their decision. Then you get their response: they’ve denied your social security claim. At Marc Whitehead & Associates we’ve helped quite a …
Category: SSDI
Disability Benefits for the Widow, Widower, and Surviving Divorced Spouse
Are you a disabled widow(er) or surviving divorced spouse? You may qualify as early as age 50 for SSDI benefits based on the earning records of your deceased spouse. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has special programs for widows and widowers, and surviving divorced spouses, who are disabled and who wish to qualify for SSDI …
Getting the Social Security Disability Back Pay You Are Owed
If your claim for Social Security Disability benefits has been approved, you’ll want to make sure you get all the Social Security disability benefits back pay you’re entitled to. When you apply for Social Security disability benefits, it may take several months for the Social Security Administration (SSA) to make a decision in your case. …
Let Our Lawyers File Your Initial SSDI Application for You
If disability has left you unable to work for a living, our attorneys can help you claim important Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. We begin by organizing and filing a strong initial SSDI application on your behalf. With a disability lawyer managing the first filing of your claim, you stand the best chance of …
Social Security Disability-Step 1 Substantial Gainful Activity
Social Security Disability claims are evaluated using a Five-Step Sequential Evaluation process defined in the Code of Federal Regulations. In part 1 of our six-part blog series, we gave an overview of the Five-Step Sequential Evaluation Process used by the Social Security Administration in determining eligibility for benefits under the Social Security Act. Today we review step 1 of the process – Substantial Gainful Activity.
Social Security Disability’s Five Step Sequential Evaluation Process
Social Security Disability claims are determined using a sequential evaluation defined by the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations. In this six-part blog series, we’ll look at each of the Five-Step Sequential Evaluation Process’ used by the Social Security Administration in determining eligibility for benefits under the Social Security Act. Today we review the overall process.
In determining disability, the Social Security Act looks at both the “medical” and “vocational” elements.
Big Changes to Social Security Benefits in 2020
The Social Security Administration has recently released its list of 2020 Social Security changes. We’d like to share some of the details with our readers who will be receiving or expect to receive retirement benefits, supplemental income benefits or disability benefits in 2020. To keep up with inflation, there’s a cost of living adjustment (COLA) …
Inability to Communicate in English May No Longer Help Your SSDI Claim
Older disability applicants who cannot speak or understand English may be cut out of disability benefits, according to a rule change proposed by the SSA. The Social Security Administration wants to stop using the “inability to communicate in English” criteria as a vocational factor when evaluating claims for disability benefits. For thousands of disabled Americans …
White House Wants SSA to Probe Social Media for Disability Claim Fraud
Social Security Disability claimants, take note: the Trump administration is working on a proposal authorizing SSA to use Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms, as an investigative tool to identify fraudulent claims for Social Security disability benefits. The New York Times reports this is part of the current administration’s efforts to “save Medicare, Medicaid …
Filing Social Security Disability
Disability Attorney Marc Whitehead, Board Certified in Social Security Disability Law, discusses the basics of filing a Social Security disability claim. Marc Whitehead begins the presentation by explaining that the federal government uses a five-step evaluation process when considering your disability claim. He discusses each step of the process. The purpose of the process is …