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…
There are a number of different scenarios in which one will find Administrative Law Judges (ALJ’s) in Social Security disability claims consult with medical experts. Understanding why such experts may be consulted and how their opinions may impact your case is important and can help relieve some of the stress…
In Part I, we discussed the role of the SSI program and how loans and gifts are treated differently by the Social Security Administration (SSA). In Part II, we will discuss how one can financially assist a disabled claimant applying for or receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in a manner…
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…
Should it become necessary to proceed to a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), Social Security disability claimants will typically see from their notice of hearing that a Vocational Expert has been called to testify at hearing. Understanding the role of the Vocational Expert (VE) at hearing goes hand…
Over the course of more than twenty-six (26) years of assisting those applying for Social Security disability throughout Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, we have come across a number of recurring problems for those who contact our office claiming disability benefits for the condition “Fibromyalgia.” With that in mind,…
It might not seem as though it’s an important distinction to make, but when it comes time to pursuing a Social Security disability claim or appeal, the difference between one’s ability to sit for a length of time versus recline or lie down can turn a case on a dime:…
An application for Social Security disability insurance benefits (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can assist with obtaining health insurance benefits in a number of different ways. Whether it’s obtaining Medicaid Insurance (which is a Federal program administered by the states, and which is called Medicaid in New Hampshire,…
For those fortunate enough to have a Long Term Disability (LTD) plan and, thus a corresponding entitlement to a benefit payment through their employer in the event they become long term disabled from working, it will be necessary to look into a potential application for Social Security disability (SSD) benefits. Understanding the interplay…
The waiting time for those who have requested a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge has only increased over the last few years. While those in Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, that is, Region 1, were waiting the least amount of time when compared to the rest of the country,…