Social Security Disability

When you apply for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (DIB, also called SSDI or RSDI), Social Security does not tell you that you can (or should) hire a lawyer to assist you in your claim. You Have the Right to Representation From the Beginning The Ortiz Law Firm is a disability law firm that was …

What The SSA Won’t Tell You About The Disability Application ProcessRead More

A “closed period” of benefits may be appropriate where the claimant’s impairment has lasted for a continuous period of at least 12 months but improves to the point where the claimant is no longer disabled at the time the claim is ultimately decided (in other words, at the time of adjudication). To establish a closed …

A Closed Period Of Benefits In Social Security Disability ClaimsRead More

In Social Security Disability claims, the Treating Physician Rule provides that substantial weight should be given to the impairment opinions given by a treating doctor in a Residual Functional Capacity Form (RFC). Social Security’s regulations establish a framework for apportioning weight to medical opinions. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(d). The Administrative Law Judge considering your claim must …

The Treating Physician Rule In Social Security Disability ClaimsRead More

The Truth About Social Security DisabilityRead More

The Social Security Administration uses a five-step sequential evaluation process to decide whether you are disabled. These rules apply to you if you file any of the following applications for disability benefits: Supplemental Security Income benefits, Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, child’s insurance benefits, and widow’s or widower’s benefits. Social Security will consider all evidence …

The Five-Step Sequential Evaluation Process: How Social Security Determines DisabilityRead More

The Appeals Council is the last level of administrative appeal after an unfavorable decision from an Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) in a Social Security Disability claim. Sometimes, for whatever reason, the evidence just did not make it to the ALJ at the hearing in your claim. It is still possible to submit new evidence to …

Submitting New Evidence To The Appeals CouncilRead More

I have seen other attorneys post that a criminal background will not keep a claimant from receiving Social Security Disability benefits as long as the claimant does not have an outstanding felony warrant. This is mostly correct. However, there is one additional “felony impairment” rule: a claimant cannot receive Title II Disability Insurance benefits if …

Social Security Disability Claims With A Criminal Or Felony RecordRead More

During the 1950s and1960s, the Social Security Administration published comic books relating to Social Security issues in an effort to reach the younger individuals. Apparently, Social Security representatives recognized that comic books were an effective method of communicating with the youth of those days. Here is an excerpt relating to Social Security Disability from a …

Social Security Comic Book About Disability From 1965!Read More

AARP recently launched its Social Security Benefits Calculator, a planning resource to help Americans decide when to claim benefits and to assist them in preparing for retirement. Many people question when they should claim Social Security benefits. Amazingly, more than half of those claiming retirement benefits in 2009 elected to receive benefits as soon as …

Social Security Benefit Calculation | SSA CalculatorRead More

The rules and requirements to qualify for Social Security disability benefits are relatively straightforward. In short, to be eligible for either Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits, a claimant must satisfy both the medical and non-medical (financial) requirements for benefits. You should apply for benefits as soon as you …

Rules And Requirements To Qualify For Social Security Disability BenefitsRead More

Today, the National Review published a partisan attack on the organization Binder & Binder and collaterally on the Social Security Disability system of benefits in an article titled Binder on Binder & Binder. Notice that I called Binder & Binder an organization, not a law firm. This is by choice, as it is not really …

A Response To The National Review’s Attack On Binder And BinderRead More

I cannot emphasize enough that the most important part of a Social Security Disability claim is medical records. The most common response I receive from my clients is, “How am I supposed to see a doctor or go to the hospital if I don’t have any money or insurance?” This is a valid point. In …

Social Security Disability Denied For Failing To Obtain Medical Treatment With Any DoctorRead More