Facing the Reality of the Social Security Disability System
Like any other federal agency, there are supposed to be rules in place which give little room for wide variations in interpretation, keeping the majority of decisions uniform. However, one only needs to dip his or her little toe into the disability pool, to know the above statement is completely false. In fact, the reality is, that depending upon who is the decision maker for any case for disability benefits, can make a difference between approval and denial. If the statement
Sometimes a back injury alone just isn't enough
I know, your back hurts to the point where you just can't find a comfortable spot. You eat Flexeril like Skittles, and nothing seems to work. It hurts so bad, you can't even concentrate on any task at hand. You've tried to work, but the pain interferes with your ability to keep up with the other employees, and you even have the medical records to support your allegations. That should be enough to at least get on Social Security for a year or two, get some medical treatment, a
Goodbye, Los Angeles. Hello, OKC.
To all our peeps in Los Angeles, we are leaving and headed to OKC. It's just too hard to fly in and fly out in the same day. Our office in Dallas will always stay, and we are opening our new office in Oklahoma City. For our clients in California, we will continue our relationship until your cases are complete. As always, if you need us...feel free to call our office: (888) 780-9125. #losangelesdisabilitylawyer #LosAngelesDisabilityattorney #dallassocialsecuritydisabilityattor
Why what work you did in the last 15 years is so important if your are over the age of 50.
If you're under the age of 50 and filing for Social Security disability, the work you performed within the last 15 years prior to filing for benefits is not as critical for those who are older. But, if you are over the age of 50, then your last 15 years of work prior to filing for disability can be critical to your successful claim. If you are over the age of 50, then you will be classified as a person closely approaching advanced age. If you are 55 or older, then you are con
Consistency the Name of the Game When it Comes to Social Security Disability
Having a consistent message to the Social Security Administration as to why you cannot work is one of the key components to winning your disability case. Here is how to be consistent with your allegation(s) that you are too disabled to work: 1. Make sure your medical records accurately reflect the amount of limitations or pain you state you have. Here is a good example: If you say you have severe back pain and your doctor only lists mild degenerative changes, then you will be
What Should I Expect At My Social Security Disability Hearing?
Social Security disability hearings are peculiar...to say the least. The fact you are going to "court," doesn't hold the same meaning as what you have experienced in the past or seen on television. First, your hearing is a closed hearing. It is always held behind closed doors and the public is not allowed to hear or see your testimony. Due to the sensitivity of medical records, federal law requires your information to remain private. Therefore, only the people sitting in the
Why past work is important when filing for Social Security disability benefits
For anyone who has attempted to file for Social Security disability benefits, the belief (for most) is that feeling really bad is enough to win your claim. Sadly, this could not be further from the truth. In order to received Social Security disability benefits, one must pass a 5-step process. While this process goes further in detail in other blogs, Step 4 is a determination that one cannot return back to work performed within the last fifteen years, and Step 5 is a determin
How long will it take for my Social Security disability case?
I'm asked this question every single day. The truth is, the only answer is, "it depends." But, I can help you identify some things that will either resolve your disability case quicker, or certain things that will make your case take longer to receive an answer. Here are the things that make your case go quicker: 1. Having everything turned in. Finding a person disabled is not only about medical records supporting such an allegation. You also have to qualify financially (i.e.
Your disabling condition is only part of the story for your Social Security disability claim.
Do you have a severe mental or physical impairment (or a combination of impairments) which, you believe, keeps you from working? Good, just like everyone else filing for Social Security disability, you only know about 1/3rd of what it takes to be found disabled under the rules established by the Social Security Administration. I was speaking to a client the other day, and we had to have this talk. She believed that because she could no longer do the work she did in the past,
Why Past Work Is So Important For Social Security Disability
Almost 99% of people who file for Social Security disability believe that because they are unable to do their present category of work, they should be found disabled. However, this thinking is flawed. Yes, determining if a person is unable to return to past work is important when deciding if one is eligible for Social Security disability benefits, but that is only the tip of the iceberg. There is more to be understood below the surface. There are actually five-steps a person
