Chris's blog

Is an Informally Adopted Child Eligible for Auxiliary Benefits?

Submitted by Chris on

Although our most recent blog posts have focused on the Social Security Disability Appeal hearing, today we’ll be addressing the subject of auxiliary benefits. This question was sent to us through our interactive disability forum. As always, if you have a disability benefit question that you’d like us to answer, leave it in the comment section below. Today’s blog topic is:

What Makes a Disability Claim Successful?

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Applying for Social Security Disability benefits can feel like a full time job. As an applicant, you are responsible for completing paperwork, attending interviews, compiling medical documentation, and keeping tabs on your claim throughout the entire process. Unfortunately, many applicants put in the time and energy only to be denied.

So what can you do to make sure your application stays out of the rejection pile? Although there are never any guarantees, there are steps you can take to increase your chances of approval. These are as follows:

How Can I Communicate with Social Security Disability Officials if I'm Deaf?

Submitted by Chris on

Today’s question came to us through Facebook and we feel that it addresses a very important subject—accessibility. For individuals who or deaf or hearing impaired, it can be extremely stressful to communicate without the proper accommodations. We hope that the following blog post will make applicants with hearing impairments more comfortable with the process knowing that the Social Security Administration works hard to meet their needs.

Exercise Tips for Wheelchair Users

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Exercise Tips for Individuals who are Handicapped or who use a Wheelchair

If you are restricted to a wheelchair, it is important to keep physically active so that your muscles do not deteriorate. Although exercise options will vary depending on an individual’s ability, we have collected some exercises that can be geared toward those who are handicap or who use wheelchairs. It is important to note that you should consult your doctor before beginning any type of exercise regime.

What is an SSD Early Decision?

Submitted by Chris on

Many people have heard the horror stories of Social Security Disability claims taking years to complete. These applicants must endure one appeal process after another before (hopefully) finally receiving their first disability check more than two years after the initial application. Is there any way to get an early decision regarding your disability claim? Is there any way to avoid the long and drawn out disability appeal process? If you know how to play your cards right, you can get an early decision from the SSA.

Why Do Social Security Judges Call Vocational Expert Witnesses to Testify at Hearings?

Submitted by Chris on

The goal of an administrative law judge is to determine whether or not an applicant who is appealing a denial of his or her Social Security Disability claim is actually entitled to the benefits that he or she is trying to get. As a part of this process, the administrative law judge must determine if there is any type of work that this applicant could perform in the national economy.

July is UV Safety Month - Visual Disabilities that Qualify for Social Security Disability

Submitted by Chris on

July is UV safety month and organizations around the nation are doing their part to inform the public about the dangers of UV light. What many people don’t realize is that no matter how much sunscreen you lather on, if you’re not protecting your eyes from those harmful UV rays you may be putting yourself at risk of a visual impairment. UV rays can harm your eyes just as easily as they can harm your skin and harm to your eyes can lead to drastic changes in your life.

Auditors Find that SSA Did Not Properly Record 1.2 Million Deaths

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When an individual passes away, their family is supposed to receive a one-time death benefit and then the Social Security payments stop. The SSA is supposed to record the deaths of these individuals to ensure that payments stop and that the proper federal agencies and private companies are notified so that families or other interested parties do not wrongly receive benefits after these individuals pass away.

Unemployment Rate for People with Disabilities Reaches Three-Year Low

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Recent reports show that the unemployment rate for individuals who suffer from disabling conditions has dropped to an all-time low in more than three years. In addition, applications for SSDI benefits have continued to stabilize. While this seems like great news for individuals who suffer from disabilities, we must dig deeper in order to understand the true meaning behind these figures.

A Statement from a Former Employer Can Enhance the Credibility of Your Disability Claim

Submitted by Chris on

When it comes to proving a Social Security Disability claim, the key in obtaining an approval is providing the SSA with enough evidence to support the severity of your disability and how it interferes with your ability to work. Oftentimes applicants turn to medical records and statements from their treating physicians in order to qualify for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). There is, however, one resource that is commonly overlooked when it comes to gathering supporting evidence and that resource is an applicant’s former employer.

Find Out If I Qualify for Benefits!