Did you give up on an earlier application for Social Security disability benefits after it was first denied? If the answer is yes, it may be possible for your attorney to reopen the earlier application, which could provide you with significant additional past-due benefits. Time Limits for Reopening Your attorney may request that your prior […]
What to Do (And Not Do) When Waiting for Your Disability Hearing
March 27, 2014 Leave a Comment
You’ve filed your appeal and begun the (probably long) wait for your social security disability hearing. There are some important things you should do and not do to help your case during this time. Do: Continue with regular medical treatment. Be a model patient. Do everything your doctor asks you to do to speed up […]
How to Describe Your Physical Limitations to the Judge at Your Social Security Disability Hearing
November 19, 2013 Leave a Comment
At your disability hearing, you should expect the judge to ask you questions about your physical limitations. Specifically, the judge will want to know how long you can stand and sit, how far you can walk, how much you can lift, and so forth. You need to be aware that there is a built-in problem with the way these questions are […]
Dire Need Requests for a Social Security Disability Case
October 14, 2013 Leave a Comment
Almost everyone who has filed a hearing request is shocked to hear that in the Albany, NY area the backlog is around 9 months. That means that it takes about 9 months from the date that you file your hearing request until the date your hearing is scheduled. Almost all claimants ask if there is […]
Qualifying for Social Security Disability Benefits
October 1, 2013 Leave a Comment
People often wonder if they are disabled enough to apply for and receive Social Security benefits. To be found disabled, you must be unable to do any substantial work because of your medical condition, and the condition has lasted (or is expected to last) for 12 months or is expected to result in death. Federal […]
Submitting Your Application for Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income Benefits
September 30, 2013 Leave a Comment
You should apply for disability benefits as soon as you become disabled since it can take a while for the application to be processed. You can submit your claim over the phone, online, or in person. Here’s how to do it: Call the Social Security Administration (SSA) at 1-800- 772-1213 Inform the representative that you want to apply for Social […]
The Two Routes to Disability
September 17, 2013 Leave a Comment
The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a five-step sequential process to evaluate whether you are disabled. The process can be a little confusing to follow. Essentially, it provides two alternative routes for proving you are disabled. Either route will lead to a finding that you are disabled. Along these routes are six roadblocks. If you […]
Meeting the Duration Requirement
September 15, 2013 Leave a Comment
Unless your impairment is expected to result in death, it must have lasted or be expected to last for a continuous period of 12 months for you to qualify for benefits. You don’t have to wait until you have been unable to work for a whole year to apply for benefits. The Social Security Administration […]
Meeting the Disability Severity Requirement
September 13, 2013 Leave a Comment
To qualify for disability benefits, you must have a “medically determinable impairment” and your impairment must be “severe.” The purpose of this requirement is to eliminate frivolous cases. These are cases in which the claimant’s condition interferes with their ability to work only slightly, if at all, or in which the claimant does not have […]
A Social Security Disability Appeal is Worth the Effort – No Doubt About It
September 11, 2013 Leave a Comment
You apply for Social Security disability benefits, wait months to get a decision, and are shocked and disappointed when your claim is denied. Despite an initial denial, however, you may have a good chance of prevailing on appeal. Initial disability determinations are made by agency employees. Appeals, on the other hand, are decided by an […]
