Shane's blog

If you have applied for Social Security Disability and have been denied during the initial or secondary reviews, then you’ll need to appeal the determination. This means your case will be reviewed by an administrative law judge and you’ll be required to testify at the disability hearing.

For most people, this is quite the intimidating prospect. After all, a lot hinges on the judge’s decision. Knowing what to expect, including the kinds of questions you’ll need to answer, can calm your nerves a bit and allow you to better prepare for testifying.

It takes on average between between 3 to 5 months for the SSA to get back to you regarding their decision on whether you are approved for disability or not. In some circumstances however where you get approved in a much shorter time and others it will take the SSA longer to process. It fully depends on the circumstances regarding an individual's application.

If your arthritis is severe enough to prevent you from being able to work and support yourself, you may be wondering if you can qualify for Social Security Disability benefits to help ease the financial burden. You can qualify for Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) with arthritis if you meet the Blue Book listing.

We live in the age of the Internet where almost anything can be completed online. We shop online, we communicate online and some of us even watch TV and movies online. Similarly, you can apply for Social Security Disability benefits online.

Thus, the question is, are there any differences between applying for Social Security Disability benefits the old-fashioned way and applying for Social Security Disability benefits online? Before you submit your online application for Social Security Disability benefits, there are some things you should know.

What is Cervical Cancer?

Over 13,000 women in the U.S. were effected with cervical cancer in 2018, and around 41000 lost their lives to it. Cancer of the cervix (the part of the uterus that joins with the vagina) is the second most common cancer affecting women worldwide, and those under the age of 50 are most at risk.

Although you are not required to hire an attorney at any point during the Social Security Disability application process, we advise you to retain the services of an attorney prior to submitting your initial application.

What to Know About the Initial Application Process

Many applicants are under the impression that applying for disability benefits is as simple as filling out a few forms. Unfortunately this isn’t the case. The initial application process requires extensive paperwork, medical records, and personal information.

The Social Security Administration requires you to meet the specific qualifications and requirements under law, not necessarily if you believe you are disabled or even if your doctor labels you as disabled. The SSA's Disability Determination Services (DDS) will evaluate your claim or appeal to establish if you meet the SSA's definition of disabled. This means you must be unable to to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA) due to a medical condition. This needs to continue for at least twelve months. 

More than 40% of deaths in the United States are caused from heart disease, a statistic which far outnumbers that of other dreaded diseases, including all of the forms of cancer combined.

Because of that, let's take a closer look at this this serious group of diseases to gain new understanding about their causes, symptoms, treatments, and prevention.

What is Heart Disease?

Heart disease is another term for cardiovascular disease, or diseases which affect the cardiovascular system including the heart and its network of arteries, veins and capillaries.

Whether you are applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the length of the process varies from person to person depending on where they live and the severity of their condition.

For example, those with serious illnesses could be eligible under the Compassionate Allowance Initiative, which drastically reduces the waiting time. Unfortunately, it is also possible for an individual to have their claim rejected, forcing them to appear at a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge.

If you are unable to work due to illness or injury for a year or more, you may consider applying for Social Security Disability benefits. The unfortunate reality is that the large majority (over 70%) of those who apply for these benefits have their claims denied, even after paying into the Social Security system for many years.

Although some of these disabled workers may be approved for benefits at a later stage in the appeals process, this can involve a long, stressful wait.