I have received several calls lately from individuals who are currently receiving Social Security disability benefits, and have just gotten a letter from the SSA saying that their disability status is being reviewed. Obviously, the receipt of such a letter causes a great deal of concern.
Social Security periodically conducts continuing disability reviews (CDRs)…
The Social Security Administration recently announced a cost of living adjustment (COLA) of 3.6% for Social Security beneficiaries. The COLA affects several different numbers in the Social Security ecosystem.
The monthly maximum SSI amount will be $698 in 2012. For a married couple on SSI, the "couples rate" will be $1,048.
The monthly amount for…
A fully favorable ALJ decison usually contains a sentence like this:
The claimant's earnings record shows that the claimant has acquired sufficient quarters of coverage to remain insured through December 31, 2013.
Sometimes the successful claimant will read that sentence and think that it means that the Social Security disability benefits will terminate on…
I get inquires regarding partial disability every now and then. Potential claimants believe they may qualify for partial Social Security disability benefits. They could still work a bit, but can no longer do the same job, or earn the same income, they earned before. Or perhaps, due to their medical condition, their earnings have dropped significantly…
I have written before about Social Security early retirement benefits versus disability, but the issue is worth revisiting. If you are approaching age 62, and are not working, please read this article.
Many people who are approaching the early retirement age of 62 are unable to continue their employment due to a physical…
Every now and then I encounter a case that potentially involves a claim for benefits by a disabled surviving spouse. This is a claim for disability benefits based upon the work record of the deceased spouse.
A claimant without enough quarters of coverage for Social Security disability insurance on his/her own work record…
It's that time of year, and many successful Social Security disability claimants who received a lump sum of retroactive benefits in 2009 are now assessing the income tax consequences.
I am not a tax lawyer, and you won't be getting tax advice from me. However, there is an excellent web page available from the National Organization…
When you are awarded Social Security disability benefits, you do not receive benefits beginning on your disability onset date. Rather, there is a 5 month waiting period before benefits begin. As a practical matter, it is often a 6 month waiting period, because the waiting period is 5 full calendar months of disability. So if…
For Social Security disability, retroactive disability benefits can be paid for up to 12 months prior to the date you filed your claim, if you were disabled during that time.
Here is a simple example:
Assume that a person filed for Social Security disability benefits today, August 1, 2009. Disability benefits are available for the past…
Unemployment insurance and Social Security disability are two separate programs, with different goals. In general, if you are receiving unemployment insurance benefits you are ready willing and able to work, and are not disabled. However, receiving unemployment compensation after your alleged onset date does not preclude a favorable finding for your Social Security disability…
