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Hard Times at Social Security

According to the New York Post and other major News Outlets, they have confirmed that for the third time in 40 years, Social Security recipients will not see a cost of living increase.  There are approximately 65 million individuals who collect Social Security Retirement and Social Security Disability.

Administrative Law Judges Sue SSA Over Caseload

Any disabled person attempting to obtain Social Security disability insurance has likely realized that there is a long backlog of claimants seeking benefits. According to the SSA’s own data, it takes approximately one year before an administrative law judge will decide a rejected benefits claim. On the initial application, state SSA offices first decide whether […]

A Five-Step Checkpoint Toward SSA Disability Eligibility

After a person applies to the Social Security Administration (SSA) for disability benefits, if the application meets the primary criteria, it is then passed to a state agency for final determination. If granted, payments typically begin after a full five-month waiting period. On criteria is that the impairment or disability must be a condition that […]

Disabilities Keeping Many Americans Disadvantaged Economically

A recent report from the United States Census Bureau shows that about thirty percent – more than 14 million people – of the 46 million Americans currently receiving some form of government-funded benefit have one or more recognized disabilities. The Report The report, entitled “Disability Characteristics of Income-Based Government Assistance Recipients in the United States” […]

Facts Show That Social Security Disability Payments Are Necessary

Social Security Disability benefits are a popular target for attack by those who are critical of government spending. Even media portrayals on 60 Minutes and National Public Radio show the Social Security Disability benefits program as riddled with inefficiencies and the recipients undeserving. A closer look at the facts, however, shows that Social Security Disability […]

Need Disability Benefits? You May Be In For A Long Wait

The stress of living with a disability can be overwhelming, but the added stress of dealing with the system to collect Social Security Disability payments can make it even worse. A backlog of cases has significantly increased the amount of time that applicants have to wait to get their benefits approved. Recent reports indicate that […]

Seeking Social Security Disability When Suffering From Mental Illness

In Orange County, many people struggle with a debilitating mental illness that prevents them from holding down a job or even walking outside their door at times. Many of these people are not financially secure, but there is hope for them in the form of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). To prove that a person […]

Social Security Administration Tries to Eliminate Backlog with Video Hearings

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has been struggling to keep up with increased claims for disability benefits, and to make a dent in the backlog of application claims they currently have. A new way the SSA is tackling this problem is to introduce video hearings as part of the process for approving claims. The SSA […]

Social Security Disability 2014: Higher Payments But More Claim Denials

If you are unable to work due to a disability, you may be entitled to disability benefits from the Social Security Administration. If you have a long enough work history and have contributed enough to the system through taxes, you may qualify for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits; even if you have not been able […]

Social Security Disability Approval Remains Slow, Despite Improvements

SSDI Advocate in Orange County, California Under the government run Social Security Administration (SSA), “disability” is based on your inability to work. You will be considered “disabled” under SSA rules, if: You cannot perform the work that you did before; They decide that you cannot adjust to another job because of your medical condition; and Your […]