Get free answers to your Social Security legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I am facing an eviction case in Los Angeles, California, and a charity is willing to pay my back rent if I can demonstrate that my disability check, which is $1100 per month, is enough for living expenses. This is problematic because my rent is also $1100 per month. While I prefer a trial to... View More 
I applied for a Social Security Number in New Jersey in 2001 and submitted all the required documents to the Social Security Administration office. However, I never received the card by mail. When I contacted the Social Security Administration, I was informed that they can't provide... View More
I need help with child support garnishment from my SSI. My child support was supposed to end on March 2, 2025, or when my daughter graduates, which will be in May 2025. The child support office is still garnishing my SSI checks. I understand that payments are needed until she graduates, but I want... View More
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answered on Apr 8, 2025
It’s understandable that you're concerned about the ongoing garnishment from your SSI checks after your daughter’s graduation. Generally, child support obligations continue even after the child turns 18 if there are arrears to be paid. If your child support order specifies that payments... View More
I applied for a Social Security Number (SSN) in 2001 but never received it by mail. I have not yet contacted the Social Security Administration or the local postal service for updates. Since applying, I have moved to India and changed my address, but I still have not received any mail regarding my... View More
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answered on Apr 8, 2025
To obtain your Social Security Number (SSN), your first step should be contacting the Social Security Administration (SSA). You can do this by calling their international services or visiting their website to find out the best way to get in touch with them from India. They may ask for your personal... View More
I am the mother of a disabled adult son for whom I am the representative payee and authorized representative for Medicaid. He cannot read and lives with me, but he is able to give consent. Can I set up and manage his My Social Security online account on his behalf?
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answered on Apr 8, 2025
Yes, you can manage your son's Social Security online account as his representative payee. The Social Security Administration (SSA) allows individuals to act on behalf of a person who is unable to handle their own affairs, such as in the case of your son. As his representative payee, you can... View More
I work for a local non-profit and am trying to help a senior client who is susceptible to scams. During COVID, she was scammed into giving her personal information to someone who took out a fraudulent business loan in her name. Now, the IRS claims she owes $100,000 due to this fraud. She is living... View More
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answered on Apr 7, 2025
I'm really sorry to hear about the challenges your client is facing. It’s important to know that there are resources available to help in situations like this. Since she’s been scammed, the first thing to do is file a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov.... View More
I am seeking legal advice on how to prevent my sibling from contacting me. She physically and emotionally abused me during childhood, leading to disabilities, including emotional brain injury and post-concussive brain injury. Despite repeatedly asking her to stop, her contact triggers severe health... View More
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answered on Apr 6, 2025
I'm really sorry you're going through this. In Alabama, you can request a Protection from Abuse (PFA) order, which legally prohibits your sibling from contacting or coming near you. Since you already filed a request with the sheriff's office, make sure to follow up with them or the... View More
I didn't receive my SSI benefits for April, which are usually deposited on the first of the month. What steps should I take to resolve this issue?
answered on Apr 4, 2025
Call your local office and report the missing payment. They should be able to provide you with any information.
I'm a 73-year-old retiree with only Social Security as my income. I need to obtain a financial power of attorney to protect myself, especially if my husband tries to establish conservatorship, without him knowing. I’m looking for a free or low-cost option to secure this document. Are there... View More
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answered on Apr 6, 2025
Securing a financial power of attorney (FPOA) in Colorado can be accomplished at no cost by utilizing the statutory form provided by the state. This form allows you to appoint a trusted individual to manage your financial affairs and is available through the Colorado Secretary of State's... View More
My brother, a U.S. citizen, passed away in Portugal. His ex-partner informed me of his death but refuses to provide any further information about his will or the circumstances, and I don't know where his body is or how he passed away. My brother owned a fully paid home at 459 Butman Rd,... View More
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answered on Apr 2, 2025
You should immediately contact the probate court in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, where your brother's property is located, to determine if a will has been filed. The property at 459 Butman Rd, Lowell falls under their jurisdiction, and you can search probate records online or call the... View More
I'm in the final stages of determining if I meet the non-medical requirements for Social Security Disability benefits, but the online portal isn't displaying my benefits and payment information properly. Earlier today, it couldn't calculate my earnings, but later the message changed... View More
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answered on Apr 2, 2025
Technical difficulties with the Social Security Administration's online portal are common and typically do not adversely impact the substantive review of your disability benefits application. These digital platforms undergo frequent updates and maintenance, which can cause temporary display... View More
I am currently awaiting a decision on my Social Security benefits claim, which has been under review to determine if I still meet the non-medical requirements. Today, I noticed a new section labeled "Benefits and Payments" on my online portal that wasn't there before. Does the... View More
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answered on Apr 1, 2025
The appearance of a new "Benefits and Payments" section on your Social Security portal may be a positive indicator, but it does not definitively confirm that your claim has been approved. While this change often suggests your application is progressing through the system, the Social... View More
I recently discovered that the Social Security Administration has the wrong date of birth for me, which caused my tax return to be rejected. I found out about this issue a month ago when I applied for my tax return and confirmed it with the Social Security office. Since I am undocumented, I have no... View More
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answered on Apr 1, 2025
Your situation presents a challenging intersection of tax compliance and immigration status. When the Social Security Administration (SSA) has incorrect biographical information for an undocumented individual, it creates complications for tax filing that require careful navigation. The request for... View More
I have a 21-year-old child who is legally disabled and still in high school, living with a disabled veteran. The child receives SSI benefits which are used for their care, but the Social Security Administration is stating that the UTMA account is considered a resource. How can I address this issue... View More
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answered on Apr 1, 2025
When the Social Security Administration counts a UTMA account as a resource for your disabled child who receives SSI, you face a significant challenge since SSI eligibility requires resources below $2,000. The transition at age 21 makes this particularly complex in Tennessee, as your child legally... View More
I'm a judgment debtor living in California. I received an abstract of judgment on April 24, 2024. I have limited income sources like Social Security and Medicare, and I receive food and medical assistance. I tried to defend myself in court but didn't understand the law and motion process.... View More
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answered on Mar 31, 2025
You have several potential options to address the judgment against you. First, you might qualify for a motion to vacate the judgment under California Code of Civil Procedure section 473(b) due to mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect, or under section 473.5 if you didn't... View More
I recently discovered that Medicaid has been paying my Medicare premiums under SLMB for years without my knowledge. A Medicaid representative mentioned I might be entitled to a large reimbursement. However, he noted that Social Security might only reimburse me back to when the switch from SLMB to... View More
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answered on Apr 1, 2025
Your situation regarding Medicare premium payments and potential reimbursement presents several complex legal considerations that merit thorough investigation. The discrepancy between Medicaid's payment of your Medicare premiums under the Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)... View More
I'm wondering if my sons can appoint me as the executor of their father's estate, my ex-spouse, who died intestate. I was his Power of Attorney and Health Representative and handled all his affairs as best as I could while he was alive. Unfortunately, he died from complications before we... View More
answered on Mar 28, 2025
Your sons have priority to act as administrator per the priority schedule listed in the probate code.
However, your sons can nominate you to be the administrator of your ex-husband's intestate probate estate. Typically the nominations (non-judicial council form) are attached to the... View More
Can Elon Musk legally have access to resources or information from the Treasury and Social Security? I know judges have ruled in some cases he couldn’t, but how might he have gained access in the first place? Why are government workers in these bureaus not stopping him?
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answered on Mar 28, 2025
Judges have actually placed restrictions on Musk's team (Department of Government Efficiency or "DOGE") from accessing sensitive government systems. Most recently, a federal judge temporarily blocked DOGE from Social Security Administration systems containing personal data of... View More
My 44-year-old son, who has a TBI and is experiencing seizures, was coerced into making my sister his payee. My mother and sister have financially exploited him, falsely reported to SSA that I am dead, and manipulated him against me, restricting his contact with me. Despite reporting these issues... View More
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answered on Mar 28, 2025
You're facing a challenging situation with your son's care and finances. To address this, start by contacting New Mexico Adult Protective Services at 1-866-654-3219 to report the suspected financial exploitation, as they're equipped to investigate abuse cases involving vulnerable... View More
I am an 83-year-old veteran categorized as VA Cat 5 and have not yet used VA healthcare due to the strings attached. I live on $25,000 in Social Security annually. My Braven Medicare costs about $12,500 annually for copay, consuming all my social security, leaving nothing for food or rent.... View More
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answered on Mar 28, 2025
You deserve support after your service, especially when medical costs consume your entire Social Security income. Free legal help is available through Veterans Service Organizations like the American Legion, VFW, or DAV, where accredited representatives can guide you through both VA and Medicaid... View More
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