Get free answers to your Social Security legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I am a US citizen (born in PA and have lived in OH, NY, MD, and MI) but have been living in Germany for the past 3 years. At the beginning of this year, I got married and I wanted to change my last name to take my husband’s last name, but I also want to change my middle name to my maiden name. In... View More 
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answered on Aug 5, 2024
Changing your name in the US while residing abroad can be a bit complex, but it is possible. To change your name, you generally need to file a petition with the court in the state where you last resided or where you have some form of residency connection. Since you have a birth certificate from... View More
Please Help!
answered on Mar 25, 2024
To speak with an underwriter, that could involve contacting carriers directly. Good luck
They've not been together since the 1970s but are still legally married. Mom can't afford to file for divorce&even if she did, there's no guarantee dad would agree to it. He doesn't deserve to receive her benefits, she doesn't want him to get them. She wants them to go... View More
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answered on Oct 15, 2023
I understand your concerns. In the U.S., if your parents are still legally married, your father might be eligible for certain Social Security benefits upon your mother's passing, regardless of their prolonged separation. Your mother's wishes about her benefits cannot change Social... View More
My younger sibling is 18 and graduated high school but is still living with our mom.
My sibling doesn’t have a job or bank account yet. My sibling has a PA photo ID, but our mom insists on keeping it in a “safe place” because she wants to control my sibling. (She refuses to accept... View More
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answered on Sep 28, 2023
Your sibling can request a replacement Social Security card by providing documents to prove their identity, such as a passport or driver's license. If they don't have those documents, they may need to contact the Social Security Administration for guidance on alternative methods of... View More
My husband passed away on 11/29/19. I spoke to SSA on Jan. 3, 2020, about survivor's benefits. Told I didn't qualify, but they used 2019 income that was 9K higher than normal. They blew me off when I said my income was normally @ 45K. In fact it was 10k less than that because I went back... View More
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answered on Sep 21, 2023
You can write a letter to the SSA explaining the situation and requesting the backdated Survivor's Benefits owed to you. Be sure to include your full name, Social Security number, your late husband's information, the dates you originally inquired about the benefits, and any documentation... View More
He said he will only give me half pension he said he will not give me half of disability income it's against law is that true
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answered on May 2, 2023
In general, disability income is considered separate property and not subject to division in a divorce. However, the laws vary by state, and it's best to consult with a family law attorney who can advise you on your specific situation. Additionally, pensions and other retirement accounts... View More
My SSA local office made a decision in the SSA Electronic Records on my Appeal, however, refuses to issue a written Decision Letter to me in adherence to the SSA Act. Of course, that letter is mandatory to enable me to proceed to the next Appeal Level, i.e. the Administrative Law Judge. The... View More
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answered on Mar 4, 2023
If you believe that your local Social Security Office is not adhering to the SSA Act Guidelines, you can file a complaint with the Social Security Administration. You can also contact your local congressperson or senator for assistance in resolving the issue.
It is important to note that... View More
Agreement for SSDI representation signed Aug 2021 states: "amount equal to 25% of the combined past due benefits awarded to Client and client's family, or the amount specified in 42 U.S.C. §406 (a) (Section 206 (a) of the Social Security Act), currently set at $6,000.00, whichever is... View More
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answered on Dec 12, 2022
SSA should withhold the $7200 as that is the amount in the statute in your agreement and is less than the full 25%. The fee agreement states only that the fee set in that statute was currently capped at $6000. The agreement limits itself to the statute, not the dollar amount listed.
Get any back pay but the 3 months
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answered on Oct 14, 2022
You haven’t provided all of the dates but most likely this has to do with your application date. SSI benefits are paid starting the later of the first calendar month after the application was filed or the date SSA finds that you became disabled (usually called an onset date).
So if you... View More
I'm in the medical field for 37 years. Diagnosed with Major depressive disorder. I've had a psychiatrist and psychologist. Health care is killing me mentally. What are my chances of getting disability? I have to use my intermittent leave on some occasions. I'm 58.
answered on Feb 9, 2022
Talk to an experienced disability attorney first. Most offer a free initial consultation and will be able to discuss the particular issues about your claim. You can then decide if you want to hire an attorney to represent you. A common arrangement is contingency fee where the attorney will get paid... View More
I never asked for an appeal . Is it protocol for the Appeals council to review the Judge decision . Does this mean it was denied for them to review out of the blue? Thank you
answered on Dec 27, 2021
The Appeals Council can either review an ALJ decision because you requested the review, or they can review decisions of their own volition. In their review, the most common outcomes are to either agree with the ALJ decision, or they can remand the decision back to the ALJ for them to fix any... View More
I'm on disabled adult child with survivor benefits. If I choose to go back to school to make an actual living and I apply for SSD retirement benefits in 30 something years will my benefits match the ones I currently get because I "dipped" into social security already?
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answered on Jul 7, 2021
Right now the amount you are paid is based off your parent’s earnings record. If you go to school and then work until you reach retirement age you will draw a retirement amount based on your own earnings record. Your current benefits will stop once you are deemed able to work by Social Security -... View More
benifits, is this correct?. And if so, is their away to at least get my money that i put in over all the years that i worked?
answered on Jun 11, 2021
Depending on when you were hired, when you worked, what was taken out for what and paid where you may or may not get Social Security Retirement benefits of you may get them at a reduces level. Start by getting an explanation in writing from Social Security. Make sure you have your payroll records,... View More
answered on May 25, 2021
answered on one of your other posts. The other thing he or she can claim for is costs.
There was only one appeal and two court cases that he took part in.
answered on May 25, 2021
You have to look at the fee petition he filed. He should have sent you a copy. It's a question of what he did in terms of hours, the hourly fee (you have to match this with your fee agreement).
I received only a little more in back pay than my lawyer got in fees
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answered on May 24, 2021
Attorneys cannot collect or charge a fee unless it is approved by Social Security. Many times all of the letters and decisions going back and forth, including the Notice of Award of your benefits as well as the decision regarding the fee petition can get quite confusing. Social Security often... View More
Who do i contact law firm?...or officers my contact info ..my original bc my name is it in Philadelphia....
answered on Apr 20, 2021
This is really something that a Pennsylvania attorney familiar with child protection matters would know how to handle. I'm not certain if there is such a category here that deals with child welfare services or child protective services. The closest category might be Family Law - If you were... View More
Hello,
Income I made from 1992 to 1994 was not recorded even if I filed my taxes for those years. I contacted my ex-employer and they gave me a confirm letter with my salaries for the years I worked, but the letter is not considered as proof by the social security office. I just dont know... View More
answered on Nov 15, 2020
If you have copies of your tax returns for those years, I would call the social security administration to see if they could update their records accordingly. If they cannot do it, then this gets to be a harder task. You could contact the IRS (good luck with that these days with their limited... View More
answered on Jun 18, 2020
It depends on how much the spousal benefit is per month, and how much other countable income you are receiving per month. Almost all income is "countable" for SSI purposes. If you have over a certain amount of income, you are not eligible for SSI.
My Social Security retirement benefits payments ceased upon my incarceration in a state prison for a felony conviction. I was released on parole and transferred to the Immigration detention, where I spent one year before getting deported.
I understand I can't get paid during... View More
answered on Apr 23, 2020
Start by contacting the ACLU immigration project. https://www.aclu.org/contact-us/
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