How Severe Must Your Condition Be In Order To Qualify For Social Security Disability?
Yes, everyone likely believes their condition is severe enough to keep them from working. But in fact, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has its own definition of severity. In order to qualify for disability benefits, one must meet this stringent requirement. But, let's step back and look at the bigger picture as well. First, one must complete 5 sequential steps in order to be found disabled. In their exact order a person must qualify as such: 1. He or she must not be
What Are The Medical-Vocational Guidelines For My Social Security Disability Case?
There are some pesky little rules the Social Security Administration uses to determine whether a person is disabled. In fact, they are not "little" at all, and hardly pesky. They are so important, in fact, they play a determining factor in almost every case in one sense or another. Here's how they work: First, in order to be found disabled under Social Security's rules, there are a number of factors taken into consideration. 1. Your age. This is a determining factor in either
Mental Impairments and Social Security Disability
There is an odd relationship between winning Social Security disability benefits and alleging only a mental impairment or combination of mental impairments. What someone should understand, from the very beginning, is that the odds are not in your favor (generally) when alleging that you are unable to work due solely to a mental impairment(s). Why is this? In fact, mental impairments can actually be more debilitating at times than physical ones. For some or most, physical impa
If You're Going To File For Social Security Disability, You Need To Prepare
If you read anything in regards to being prepared financially, the first thing a smart investor will tell you is to make sure you have at least six months of reserves just in case anything catastrophic happens. However, in reality, for most, this is an impossible task. For the most part, those who have to file for Social Security disability have worked at a job where their body gives out after so many years of hard physical labor. The reality again, is that most of these jobs
How To Prepare Before Filing For Social Security Disability Benefits
Do you have a physical or mental impairment which keeps you from working 8 hours per day, 5 days per week? Here are some tips to help you better prepare before filing for Social Security disability benefits: 1. Are you still working? If you intend to keep working while filing for benefits, you need to be aware of what is called Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). This is extremely important. If you make above SGA levels, you cannot file for Social Security disability benefits
Should I File For Social Security Disability?
After one of my clients is denied, I often stop the appeal process and ask them a couple of questions to determine whether he or she is willing to take his or her Social Security disability claim to the next step. First, I ask them, "Are you really disabled?" Many people believe that just because they have a mental or physical impairment, they are not capable of working. But, here is the question I usually pose to them: "Can you work at a sit-down job for 6 out of 8 hours per
Insider Information To Know When Filing For Social Security Disability Benefits
It's Friday, so let's make this quick.... If you're going to file for Social Security disability benefits, here are some things you really need to know: 1. Know whether or not you qualify for SSDI or SSI or both. SSDI is under Title II benefits. SSI is under Title XVI benefits. If you have worked for a long time and you just stopped working, then you will likely only need to worry about SSDI. These are the benefits you pay into each time you receive a check from your employer
What To Do After Your Social Security Disability Case Has Been Denied
More than likely, your Social Security disability case is going to be denied at least once. This is especially true if you are under the age of 50 or you only have a mental impairment(s) that keep you from working. If you fit within these two categories, chances are you may be denied more than once. And, even if you are not within either category, you could find your case being denied just the same. So, what do you do now? First, if I were you, I would take a very long and ha
What Not To Do When Filing For Social Security Disability
You can make a lot of mistakes when filing for Social Security disability benefits. Here are the top 7 goofs: 1. Not reading everything SSA sends you. This is especially true when filing for benefits electronically (online). Not only will you have to sign your internet application and send it back to your local office, you will likely also have to provide additional information (for example, your last year's W-2, marriage certificate, divorce decree, etc.). If you do not fulf
Do I Want A Video Teleconference Hearing For My Social Security Disability Case?
Honestly, it really depends on which state you live in. In the past, I was a big proponent of face-to-face hearings conducted at the local Social Security disability hearing office. I felt the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) was more personally involved in the hearing process, especially with the claimant in the same room. It was easier to understand the reasons why a person was unable to work. Often, people become very emotional when telling the history of their condition, an
