The Social Security Administration has announced that benefits payments will increase by 1.7% in 2013; this increase is down from the previous year’s 3.6% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase. That means that if you are receiving the average benefit of $1,236, you will see about $21 more per month. The Social Security COLA is based on
Read MoreAnother important factor in people’s decision to apply for Social Security disability benefits is the decreased access to health insurance. As employer-sponsored insurance programs deteriorate and private policies become more expensive and unobtainable, some workers apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for eventual Medicare benefits. SSDI beneficiaries may qualify for Medicare after two years,
Read MoreWorkers Compensation will not affect the merit of your claim. While your workers’ compensation settlement may have an impact on your SSDI award, it does not affect the merit of your disability claim. In other words, it does not have a negative impact to your claim. How does my worker’s compensation settlement affect my disability
Read MoreA “quarter of coverage” (QC) is the basic unit of coverage in determining a worker’s insured status for purposes of a Title II Social Security Disability claim. You need at least 6 QCs but not more than 40 QCs to be fully insured. Insured status is a basic factor in determining whether you are entitled
Read MoreSSA defines obesity as “a complex, chronic disease characterized by excessive accumulation of body fat”. Medical criteria have been established to determine whether an individual is overweight based upon their body mass index (BMI). Social Security uses this criteria and other evidence to help determine whether an individual is obese. Originally, obesity was on the
Read MoreHow to Prove Mental Illness in a Social Security Application By: Disability Group (www.socialsecuritylaw.com) There is no question that people who suffer from mental illnesses have difficulty finding and maintaining employment. Many mental illnesses such as clinic depression or bi-polar disorder can have a major effect on one’s ability to interact with others, follow directions
Read MoreSocial Security Disability: Determining Insured Status By: Disability Group (www.socialsecuritylaw.com) Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits? Some of the most confusing factors in determining your eligibility for Social Security disability benefits are your “credits” and your “insured” status. They can be simple to figure out, however, with a bit of patience. Credits and Earnings Quarters
Read MoreIn 2008, the Social Security Administration (SSA) outlined four goals it wishes to achieve by 2013. To those applying for disability benefits, the most important goal is improving the speed and quality of the disability process. Here are the ways that SSA is trying to meet this goal: Quick Decisions for Clearly Disabled Claimants In
Read MoreWhat is the Social Security Administration trying to do in my disability case? The Social Security Administration’s main goal is to decide whether you are able to work, doing either your past job or any type of job. Does the Social Security Administration (SSA) consider the pain I am in when deciding whether to award
Read MoreFirst, what IS Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)? Social Security Disability Insurance benefits fall under title II of the Social Security Act. In order to qualify for SSDI you must have worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes. SSDI works almost the same as pension, where you pay into the plan throughout your working
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