Our office routinely represents claimants who are suffering from the severe effects of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s Disease and Colitis related claims and have assisted the vast majority of these clients with obtaining favorable decisions in their cases. If properly documented and presented, these claims are well-recognized and thoughtfully…
What can be one of the most difficult questions we can be asked is whether one should apply for unemployment benefits, both in the context of when one has already applied for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits or when one is considering an application for SSDI benefits. The answer…
In part I of our blog on Interstitial Cystitis (IC) we discussed the manner by which the Social Security Administration (SSA) will undergo a determination as to whether one is experiencing what is deemed to be a “medically determinable impairment” (or “MDI”) of IC. In part II of this series,…
When applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) it is important to understand the difference between what is considered a loan and what is considered a gift: the two are treated vastly different by the Social Security Administration. Likewise, when understanding the treatment of loans it is important to understand the…
Most individuals applying for or receiving Social Security disability insurance benefits do not understand the many incentives built into the program for a return to work. The disability program is based on a premise that benefits should be afforded to those who remain disabled from performing all manner of gainful…
As we approach Father’s day this year, I thought it would be a good time to discuss the various benefits available to family members of individuals found disabled and entitled to benefits under the disability insurance program. The term of art used by the Social Security Administration for this family…
There is a common misconception among many Social Security disability claimants that disability benefits are payable if they remain unable to perform the work that they’ve undertaken for years. We hear this from skilled professionals who suffer from severe mental health problems and, as a result, believe they remain unable…
Whether you are considering applying for the first time for Social Security disability, or you’ve reached the stage of preparing for an Administrative Law Judge hearing, a clear understanding of what it means to be “disabled” under Social Security’s rules is critical. Social Security disability benefits are meant to assist…
When considering an application for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits in Massachusetts and throughout New England, it’s important to understand what the Social Security Administration is referring to when they mention your date last insured as this may directly impact your ability to collect benefits. There are two type of…
As a Social Security Lawyer practicing in New Hampshire for many years, I have come across numerous misconceptions about the system. We are many times contacted by individuals who are either looking to file an initial claim for benefits or who have recently been denied benefits based on either misinformation…