What Happens if I Miss the Deadline for Filing My Appeal?

  If your initial application for Social Security Disability benefits is denied, the Social Security Administration (SSA) provides a claimant sixty days to file an appeal.  In filing the appeal, a claimant can either request a reconsideration of their claim or to request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge...

New Report Bashes Social Security Disability Determinations

The venerable news program 60 Minutes has been investigating the Social Security Disability Insurance program (SSD) and aired its report on October 6, 2013.  Reporter Steve Kroft reported on the increase in individuals who receive SSD benefits and the looming 2016 estimate of when the SSD trust fund will run...

Sickle Cell Disease Can Lead to the Need for Social Security Disability

Crescent shaped blood cells are the telltale markers of Sickle Cell Disease.  “Normal red blood cells move easily through your blood vessels, taking oxygen to every part of your body. But sickled cells can get stuck and block blood vessels, which stops the oxygen from getting through.” What are the...

Parkinson’s Disease Has a New High-Profile Face

Michael J. Fox, Muhammad Ali, and Janet Reno all have Parkinson’s disease.  The latest celebrity to announce she has Parkinson’s disease is Linda Ronstadt.  Parkinson’s does not only affect celebrities, but many others in our society. What is Parkinson’s? Parkinson’s is a neurological condition that affects an individual’s motor controls....

Social Security Disability – a Basic Q & A

Q: Which agencies administer DI and SSI? A: Both programs are administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA), which assesses the severity of a disability, determines eligibility, and issues monthly checks. Initial determinations are made by state agencies under contract with SSA. The cost of administering DI is financed from...

Are You Disabled? How A Judge Decides Your Social Security Disability Claim

When your claim comes up for hearing, the Social Security Judge will go through a 5 step “sequential evaluation process” to decide whether you meet Social Security’s definition of disability. Step 1 Whether you are working and, if so, Whether the work the claimant is doing constitutes substantial gainful activity (SGA)....