Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome or ME/CFS, is a serious, long-term condition with a wide range of symptoms, the most common of which is extreme tiredness. Other symptoms include difficulty recovering after physical activity, waking...
SSD – Social Security Disability
The Disability Backlog: What is Congress Doing About It?
In the past few years, claimants applying for disability benefits have suffered longer and longer wait times for a decision on their claim. Currently, the average wait time for an Initial decision is 7 months! Claimants, and the attorneys trying to help them, know how...
How long does social security have to issue a decision?
The process of applying for, and awaiting a decision, in a social security disability case is a long one. We know it is very frustrating to wait so long for decisions. As of October 2023, the processing time for an application on initial determination is 217 days. The...
The 5 Month Waiting Period: Why it Exists and How it May Impact Your SSDI Claim
Social Security has established a five-month waiting period for receiving benefits from the time you were disabled. The Social Security Administration established this waiting period to ensure that benefits would not be paid to people with short-term disabilities....
Will Social Security Disability Benefits Go Up This Year?
In 2024 Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits will be increased by 3.2%, this is called a cost of living adjustment (“COLA”). The purpose of the COLA is to ensure benefits and their purchasing power are not eroded by inflation, and for that reason...
Obtaining SSDI benefits after a traumatic brain injury
Injuries to the head are often debilitating. Anytime someone receives a blow to the head, they may be at risk for traumatic brain injury (TBI). Traumatic brain injuries can be extreme and permanent, or they may have no obvious symptoms at all. Fortunately, individuals...
Date Last Insured or “DLI”: An Important Date in Your Social Security Disability Case
There are many different important dates that are important to note for any Social Security Disability claim. These include date last insured (DLI), alleged onset date (AOD), and date of filing (DOF). This blog post will focus specifically on date last insured. Date...
Social Security Announces 2024 Cost of Living Adjustment
Disability recipients will see a much more modest increase in benefits than what they saw last year. The Social Security Administration has announced 3.2 percent increase in benefits for retirees and those receiving disability in 2024. What that means in real terms is...
North Carolina applicants facing backlogs for SSDI benefits
The Social Security Administration’s disability programs can provide income and many other benefits for those who are disabled and can no longer work to earn a living. For anyone who faces such a scenario, it is crucial that the SSA processes applications for Social...
Social Security Looks to Limit Past Relevant Work
Here’s something all too frustrating and common at disability hearings: We gather all the medical records. There are hundreds of pages of medical records detailing my client’s mental and physical limitations. Their testimony? Almost perfect. They explain to the judge...
Social Media and Social Security – Are They Checking Out What You Post?
Well, not initially. Social Security is not routinely monitoring social media pages of people filing for or receiving disability benefits. However, they may take a look if any “red flags” are raised. This could include concerns about the amount of activity you seem to...
Service Animals and Disability
Pets….they’re often a big part of the family, but sometimes they can even be a big part of our ability to function daily or go to a job. After you’ve won your Social Security Disability case, you might receive a large lump sum of money. This could be used for the...
Allergies and Disability
An allergy is a pathological overreaction to substances, situations, or physical states that are without comparable effect on the average individual. Allergic reactions can cause coughing, sneezing, hives, rashes, and in severe cases known as anaphylaxis, individuals...
Do I have to talk during my hearing?
Yes! This answer surprises many of our clients, who think because they have an attorney they won’t be talking during the hearing. The reality is that the attorney covers the legal issues and makes arguments on your behalf, but a lot of the hearing is you talking! You...
What if I move? Do I lose my benefits?
Social Security benefits, both Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, are a federally run program. If you have filed an application and are awaiting adjudication, you do not need to file a new application. If you are currently...
Injured At Work?
Find out if you can collect Work Comp benefits too