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Im 29 have a bad left shoulder trigger point that causes constant pain and now i have a broken right hand that i had to have surgery on have wire and pin put in the dr said it wil hurt and give me trouble gripping stuff lifting stuff the rest of my life now i am right handed if i can im going to... View More 
answered on Oct 2, 2020
Yes, you can file for Social Security disability. The law defines disability as the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity (SGA) by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment(s) which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected... View More
answered on Sep 30, 2020
You need to decide which disability lawyer you want to hire. To start with this process, go to Justia's "Find a Lawyer" tab and search by Social Security disability and your location. Most disability lawyers have free consultations, so call and talk to the lawyer. You can talk about... View More
I've been widowed since 2009 and receive death benefits. I've never remarried and would now like to return to my maiden name. Will legally going back to my maiden name change my death benefits?
answered on Sep 24, 2020
No, changing your name to your maiden name will not affect Social Security survivor benefits you are receiving since you are not changing your marital status. Once you have your name legally changed, you need to inform Social Security and show them the court order of the name change. To report a... View More
I do not take meds, they do not interact well with me. I learned to do without and try to live normal. Its difficult but better than becoming addicted to pain killers. My immune is compromised. This virus scares me . will I be kicked off SSI if I call and cancel that appt.
answered on Sep 18, 2020
It is not in your best interest to cancel the consultative examination. If you refuse to attend the consultative examination, your case may be denied due to failure to cooperate. Call the Social Security claims examiner and ask if they can reschedule a consultative examination virtually. Social... View More
answered on Sep 14, 2020
There is no data on individual disability attorney wins Social Security cases that I have found, but there is data on how a disability attorney or representative can improve your chances of being allowed disability benefits. In the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report GAO-18-37:... View More
answered on Sep 11, 2020
A vocational expert (VE) plays a significant role in a Social Security disability hearing. A VE is an expert witness who knows about job requirements and job availability in the current labor market. At the hearing before the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), the VE will give his expert opinion in... View More
answered on Sep 10, 2020
Yes, a class action suit can be filed against the Social Security Administration or another federal agency. In fact, there have been several class action suits against the Social Security Administration that have either resulted in a favorable settlement or adjudication. A well-known case, Sullivan... View More
answered on Sep 6, 2020
Social Security is not a short-term or partial disability program. In order to be disabled under Social Security, a person must meet the strict definition of disability which is the inability to do any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental... View More
For example, say I am unable to work for 3 years and receive SSI benefits. Then I am able to work for 4 years and then again I am unable to work. Would I then be able to apply for SSDI?
answered on Aug 25, 2020
If you are disabled and apply for SSI benefits now, you should first check to see if you are insured for SSDI benefits now based on the rules for younger workers who become disabled.
As a general rule, to qualify for Social Security benefits based on a disability other than blindness, you... View More
She is at an almost vegetative state. I am her POA for medical and wanted to see about SSD. She has filed in the past but was denied. With her current condition, can I apply for SSD for her via a lawyer?
answered on Aug 21, 2020
Yes, you can file for SSDI on your wife's behalf or you can hire a disability attorney to file the application for her.
The Social Security disability application is online at https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/.
For Social Security, the law defines disability as the... View More
I'm currently on SSDI benefits for 5 years. I just started a job last May. I wonder if I can continue to have benefits with many hours a week? I'm deaf.
answered on Aug 16, 2020
Yes, you can do a limited amount of work and still get disability benefits. Social Security encourages work activity and there are special program rules and work incentives that help you try to return to work while still receiving monthly disability payments.
If you try to work but have... View More
Our son draws ssi check for his disability. I have been in the home taking care of him since he was 3 years old. Can i draw my husbands social security now that he is gone?
answered on Aug 16, 2020
If your late husband worked long enough to be insured, you, as a widow, can receive benefits from your late husband's Social Security at full retirement age for survivors or reduced benefits as early as age 60. You may begin receiving benefits based on your husband's Social Security as... View More
Society right now isn't the best. I've applied for low income apartments but all 6 months to a 1 year wait. I'm currently living with a relative that has no job. I'm not for sure how much longer I can stay with them or if will be homeless in coming month or two. Applied for SSI... View More
answered on Aug 13, 2020
If you are facing homelessness and have filed for SSI, you should contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 right away to let them know of your dire financial need. Social Security can identify your SSI case as a critical case and expedite processing and adjudication of your case.... View More
He is a brain tumor survivor. We lost his SSI benefit (and more importantly, his Medicaid) when his absent father started making child support payments when my son turned 3. He is now 14, and I am planning for his post high school years. When he turns 18, the child support payments end. Will it... View More
answered on Jul 23, 2020
I am sorry to hear that your son lost his SSI benefits due to an income/resource issue. Since SSI is a needs based program, there are limits to the amount of countable income/resources. I strongly urge you to contact a disability attorney now to consult about establishing an Achieving a Better Life... View More
My 83 year old dad receives SSI ($900/month) and lives in a subsidized senior apartment, paying rent of $300 per month (not sure whether he's in section 8). I'm thinking of buying a 2nd home soon and want him to live there by himself (he likes to as well), as it'll be nicer, but my... View More
answered on Jul 6, 2020
Your dad's living arrangement could affect his SSI, so care will need to be taken so that he continues to get his maximum amount of SSI benefits. With only a few precautions, what you and your dad are planning is a very doable arrangement.
Your dad can get the maxim SSI benefit if her... View More
answered on Jul 3, 2020
I strongly recommend that you consult with a disability lawyer as soon as possible since you have a severe medical condition. Most disability lawyers have free consultations and will be able to discuss with you the financial requirements you have to meet for SSI and the medical requirements to get... View More
I know I'm only allowed 18,000 for the year at 64) do they go by calendar year for earnings for the first year? or am I only allowed to make 6, 000 more thousand for the year before I'm penalized??? how much will I be penalized..I'm worried about this
answered on Jun 22, 2020
If you are under full retirement age, Social Security deducts $1 from your benefit payments for every $2 you earn above the annual limit. For 2020, that limit is $18,240. Once you reach full retirement age, you can earn up to $48,600 in 2020 with no affect on your benefits. After that your... View More
answered on Jun 15, 2020
Yes, you can receive both unemployment benefits and Social Security disability benefits (SSDI).
Unemployment and SSDI benefits both provide financial support to those who are not working, but the rules for these programs differ greatly. You should be aware that there is a contradiction in... View More
Just wondering what form I will fill out if I filed this appeal? I have been denied originally, had went to the court hearing in front of the judge in which I received a partial favorable decision but would like to appeal that decision. I’m not for sure what form I would use on this and is it... View More
answered on Jun 11, 2020
If you are appealing a decision made by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), you must request review by the Appeals Council (AC) within 60 days after you receive the notice of the ALJ decision. The notice letter you received from Social Security should have information about filing an appeal. For... View More
I am 28 years of age and currently work and collect SSDI due to my medical disability. I am looking into starting an online shirt business with print on demand. Due to my medical condition I have trouble holding a job. Would this effect my ssdi and my medicare benefits? Would I immediately lose my... View More
answered on Jun 2, 2020
You can do a limited amount of work and still get SSDI benefits and medicare.
Social Security Administration encourages work activity and there are special program rules and work incentives that help you try to return to work while still receiving monthly disability payments. Read the... View More
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