The answer to this question varies.  The Social Security Administration allows 120 days to review your initial application.  However, they usually only take 90 days in most cases.  There are also procedures in place for a quicker approval and allowance when dealing with certain types of diseases.  These are called compassionate allowances.  If your initial… Read More

I receive this question a lot.  In determining whether you meet guidelines to receive Social Security Disability Benefits, this is the claimant’s burden.  They are required to prove a severe impairment that prevents them from performing any jobs that they  have performed in the last 15 years that SSA considers relevant.  After the claimant meets… Read More

If you age is equivalent to full retirement age, then yes you are too old to receive Social Security Disability Benefits.  You will only be entitled to Social Security Retirement benefits.   Depending on when you became disabled, you might be entitled to some past due benefits but no current.  If at your age (i.e. 62),… Read More

Yes, you may collect both Title II Social Security Disability Benefits and Title XVI Supplemental Security Income Benefits if the maximum Title II Social Security Disability monthly benefit is less than the maximum Title XVI Supplemental Security Income monthly benefit.  Your Title II Social Security Disability monthly benefit will be calculated first and then you… Read More

Yes, I have represented many clients that suffer from Hepatitis C and have been awarded their Social Security Disability benefits.  However, the diagnosis of Hepatitis C is not enough alone to be awarded disability.  Many people have been infected with Hepatitis C for years and do not know it because their Hepatitis C is not… Read More

No, you do not need a doctor’s opinion.  However,  your treating doctor’s opinion about your physical and/or mental limitations can be very effective in winning Social Security Disability Benefits if it is supported by objective evidence.  This is one area where being represented by an attorney can be very beneficial.  A Social Security Disability attorney knows… Read More

Yes!  However, proving that migraine headaches are debilitating and meet Social Security Disability guidelines is not always easy.   I have represented many clients that suffer with migraine headaches and have successfully won benefits for clients who this is their sole disability.  My first piece of advice is to keep a headache journal. A journal could… Read More

Although there are risks if a claimant applies for both unemployment insurance benefits and Social Security Disability benefits contemporaneously, one is not precluded from filing for both at the same time.  In order to receive unemployment benefits, one must assert that he is ready, willing and able to work but cannot find employment.  To file for Social… Read More

Social Security Disability/SSI Blog Welcome to my free information blog about Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income.  My entries will hopefully enlighten you about the Social Security Disability process and how to be successful.  I will attempt to focus on the questions that I often receive from claimants and also focus on specific disabling… Read More