Folks have been waiting in long lines at their local SSA offices, since the offices re-opened this summer. Some of these lines extend outside the building and out into the parking lot. As a result, some folks spend HOURS outside in the heat while waiting in line. This is hard Read more…
Every so often, Social Security adds new conditions to its Compassionate Allowances program. This program is designed to help some claimants get approved for disability benefits more quickly. SSA recently added these 12 new conditions to the program: Angioimmunoblastic T-cell Lymphoma Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker Disease Microvillus Inclusion Read more…
Yes. This is a real condition called Prosopagnosia. Face blindness makes it difficult to recognize new people, and sometimes even people that you do know. Prosopagnosia can be either “acquired” or “developmental.” Acquired face blindness might result from some sort of trauma like brain damage or a stroke. There is Read more…
Questions about how to fill out the Function Report from SSA? You are not alone. We see these forms all the time. Here are some answers. Questions we hear often: Hey, you are my lawyer. Can you answer the questions in the function report for me? Um, no. Every claimant Read more…
Question: After my disability application was denied, I filed my Request for Reconsideration appeal online. What should I expect next? Answer: Nice job appealing online! Next, you will get a letter from Social Security that confirms they received your Request for Reconsideration appeal. If you do not hear anything from Read more…
Social Security recognizes same-sex couples’ marriages in all states, and some non-marital legal relationships (such as some civil unions and domestic partnerships). This is important in determining if you are entitled to certain Social Security and Medicare benefits, and to calculate payment amounts for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). They also Read more…
Question: My application for SSDI or SSI disability benefits was denied. What do I do now? Answer: Your choices now are to 1) appeal, 2) re-apply, or 3) give up. (HINT: we advise most claimants to APPEAL.) When these reasons are given for denying a claim, consider appealing: Based on Read more…
If there is a CDI report in your Social Security Disability file, then I have some bad news. You were reported to the Social Security Administration for possible fraudulent statements in connection with your disability claim or some other fraudulent activities. Social Security ordered an investigation from the Cooperative Disability Read more…
Some important changes are coming to Social Security and the way they deal with fraud allegations. I am not an alarmist, but these changes could prove to be devastating to a lot of folks. The good news is SSA will probably stop some acts of fraud. The bad news is Read more…
First – GO TO THE DOCTOR! You MUST have medical evidence to support your claim. Next – TALK TO THE DOCTOR! Yes, you actually need to TELL the doctor everything that is wrong with you. Your doctor is not a mind reader. These kinds of details are important: “My symptoms Read more…