Tag Archives: Claims Process
How To Find Out Your Monthly Social Security Disability Benefit Amount
Each year the Social Security Administration (SSA) used to send out statements to each taxpayer. These statements would indicate what earnings had been reported to the SSA, whether the taxpayer had contributed enough to qualify for benefits, and what the monthly benefit would be for both disability and retirement benefits. As a cost saving… Read More »
Navigating Through The Social Security Disability Claims Process
A claim for Social Security Disability benefits could take anywhere from 6 months to 6 years! During that time, the claimant will have to complete an application, and possibly navigate his or her way through 3 levels of appeals at the Social Security Administration (SSA) and another 3 levels in Federal Court. What follows… Read More »
Eliminate The Early Retirement Penalty With Social Security Disability Benefits
While it’s possible as early as age 62, choosing to receive Social Security retirement benefits before your normal retirement age is penalized. The “early retirement penalty” can amount to a 30 percent reduction in your monthly benefit. And what’s worse is that the penalty is permanent. Thus, although your monthly benefit will change with… Read More »
Age: A Crucial Factor In Your Social Security Disability Case
While the severity of the impairment is the most significant factor in Social Security Disability cases, age follows right on its heels as the second most important factor. The reason is simple – the law is different for people of different ages. The younger a person is, the more difficult it is to prove… Read More »
Back Problems: The Most Common Source Of Disability Claims
If your back has ever “went out,” you understand just how devastating back problems can be. In my practice, impairments involving the spine are the single most common disabling condition. What follows below is my legal (as opposed to medical) understanding of back problems and my strategies to obtain disability benefits as a result… Read More »
Expediting Claims At The Social Security Administration
The social security disability claims process is a lengthy one. About 40% of those who apply for disability benefits are granted benefits on their initial application. It usually takes 3 to 6 months for the initial decision. For those that are not granted benefits upon their initial application, the delay can be from 12… Read More »
Should I Use The Attorney Provided By My Disability Insurance Company?
Should I Use the Attorney Provided by My Disability Insurance Company? By David Galinis
5 Step Disability Evaluation Process
The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a five-step sequential evaluation process to determine if any given Claimant is entitled to Social Security Disability benefits. SSA considers each step in this process sequentially before moving onto the next step. In this post, I describe these five steps in their most basic terms. Step One –… Read More »
Mental Illness As Basis For Disability: No Objective Evidence, No Problem
Mental illness can be as devastating as any physical impairment. Depression and bipolar disorder form the basis of SSA disability determinations every day. The key to any social security disability case is proving disability – the inability to work. That proof can be challenging in cases of mental illness. In a low back injury,… Read More »
3 Reasons Your Claim Was Denied
1. You Are Still Working The most basic eligibility requirement to receive Social Security Disability Benefits is an inability to engage in substantial gainful activity that has lasted or is expected to last for 12 months. In other words you cannot be working. When the disability examiners evaluate your claim, they will look at… Read More »