Social Security Disability Lawyer Blog
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 considered by the Administrative Law Judges we routinely appear in front of out of Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Having a knowledgeable and experienced Social Security disability lawyer from the very beginning can assist you in ensuring your case is properly presented for consideration. Understanding Social Security’s rules and regulations is important to an understanding as to how one’s claim should be documented so as to ensure a successful conclusion. Continue Reading ›
What to Know When Seeking Assistance for your Social Security Disability Claim
Social Security disability benefits provides essential cash assistance to those who remain no longer able to work as a result of a disabling condition. Many individuals are not aware when they contact our office how they can go about getting the advice and assistance they need to move forward with an application and, by doing so, increase the odds of getting a favorable decision in their case. Continue Reading ›
The Average Waiting Time for a Hearing before an Administrative Law Judge
Having undertaken Social Security disability hearings for more than twenty-six (26) years, we have seen good times and bad times when it comes to how long one needs to wait to get to a hearing. While the procedure in the State of New Hampshire is more streamlined than that which takes place in Maine and Massachusetts (from the standpoint of remaining a pilot project state where the need to undergo a request for reconsideration process before proceeding with a hearing request has been removed), all three (3) states have lengthy wait periods that remain quite frustrating to Social Security disability claimants who have remained long term disabled and without an income. Here is an update as to where things stand.
Should I Apply for Unemployment Benefits if I am Applying or Have Applied for SSDI Benefits, Part II
As we were discussing previously in Part I of this blog , one must be very careful about applying for unemployment benefits as it can be construed as inconsistent with an application for Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits. This assumption, as we will discuss, does not apply in every case. Continue Reading ›
Should I Apply for Unemployment Benefits if I am Applying or Have Applied for SSDI Benefits, Part I
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 is very fact specific and we’ll attempt to provide you with some guidance that will hopefully allow you to answer such a questions. Continue Reading ›
The Use of Medical Experts by Administrative Law Judges in Social Security disability claims
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 involved with attending a hearing before an ALJ. Continue Reading ›
Establishing a Claim for Social Security Disability Benefits for Interstitial Cystitis, Part II
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, we will address how SSA reviews whether an MDI of IC, once determined to be severe, will qualify one for Social Security disability benefits under SSA’s sequential evaluation process. Continue Reading ›
Establishing a Claim for Social Security Disability Benefits for Interstitial Cystitis, Part I
When suffering from what can be the very debilitating effects of Interstitial Cystitis (IC), and when considering the need to apply for Social Security disability benefits, it’s very important to understand what the Social Security Administration (SSA) will require an individual to prove in order to qualify for benefits. Understanding the process by which SSA will evaluate your claim can help make for a much smoother application process. As we always recommend, however, it remains advisable to seek the assistance of a Social Security disability lawyer who is familiar with Social Security’s rules and regulations and this guidance should not be viewed a substitute for the legal advice and assistance an attorney can provide with this process. Continue Reading ›
The Difference Between a Loan and a Gift When Applying for and Collecting SSI, Part II
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 which will cause the least amount of reduction to their potential or ongoing SSI check so as to maximize the amount of financial assistance they are receiving. Continue Reading ›
The Difference Between a Loan and a Gift When Applying for and Collecting SSI, Part I
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 difference between a cash loan and what is referred to by SSA as an “in kind” loan. Continue Reading ›