The definition of “legally blind” is having a visual acuity of 20/200. This means that even with glasses or contacts, you can only read the first letter at the top of the Snellen Chart, if that. You can also be legally blind if you can see, but only in a very small...
Helping People With Disabilities Nationwide
SSD – Uncategorized
Social Security Announces 2025 SGA Increase
Something that surprises many people is that you actually are allowed to work while waiting for disability benefits. However, the amounts vary from year to year and can have all sorts of different impacts on a disability claim. The Social Security Administration has...
Social Security Permanently Moves to Remote Hearings
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, Social Security disability hearings were held either in-person, or from an approved Social Security remote hearing location with the judge appearing by video, and the claimant and their attorney in another location. If a claimant couldn’t...
Why Does it Take so Long to get a Disability Decision?
The best case scenario for a disability hearing is to have a fairly brief meeting with an administrative law judge before he or she says they’ve read the file, they’re convinced the claimant is disabled, and they’ll be paying out the case. It’s a successful end to...
Why do I need to complete the work history report?
One of the steps in establishing disability is proving that your medical condition prohibits you from doing the kind of jobs that you have worked in the last 5 years. Social Security will send you a Work History Report (Form SSA-3369) to collect information about the...
How does my attorney get paid?
We are paid out of the back pay that you are awarded. If you do not win your case, we do not get paid. The amount we charge can change, similar to the amount you get monthly changes annually. Currently, attorney fees are 25% of any back payments you are due up to a...
Why is Social Security Sending me to a Doctor?
At some point in the disability process, there is a good chance that you will receive a letter in the mail informing you that you need to attend a consultative examination. Though the exact type of exam can vary from case to case, what this basically means is that the...
Why Do I Have to Keep Filling Out This Same Form?!
Alright already! As if being sick and tired and feeling not yourself all the time, now you have to fill out pages and pages of information for Social Security…once, twice….maybe even three times?? What gives? Functional reports, work history reports, release of...
I Work for the State of Illinois: How Does this Impact my Social Security Benefits?
Disability benefits may be provided in many different ways…through a State employer, through the Federal Government, or through a private company, just to name a few. Oftentimes, a person with a State job, (let’s take Illinois, for example), may receive disability pay...
If I am found disabled, do my children also get paid?
The answer depends on what type of disability payment you are receiving. If you receive Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”), then your children cannot also receive a check solely because you receive disability. However, if you receive Social Security Disability...
How does social security get my medical records?
The burden of proof is on you, the claimant, to prove you are disabled. One of the ways we do that is through medical records. As your attorney, we request medical records on your behalf and submit them to the Social Security Administration. In order to request your...
Yes, Working for Cash Counts with Social Security Disability
One thing in Social Security disability law that can often be just as important as medical conditions, is your work history and whether you are working while seeking benefits. A common misconception among clients is that jobs only “count” if they receive an actual pay...
How many credits do I need to be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance?
In most cases, you must have earned at least 20 credits in the ten year period immediately before your disability began to be eligible for SSDI benefits. There are special rules for individuals under age 31. For those under the age of 24, you may be eligible if you...
What other benefits am I entitled to if I am awarded disability (in Illinois)?
In illinois, there are a number of state funded assistance programs. If you are awarded SSI you may be eligible for cash and medical assistance through Aid to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (AABD). To receive this assistance you must meet certain requirements such as...
New Past Work Rule has Big Impact on Disability Cases
In the last few weeks, Social Security implemented one of its biggest rule changes in years, that is already seeing more claimants approved at the hearing level more quickly. It’s a pretty simple change with big consequences. Up until now, part of the disability...
Injured At Work?
Find out if you can collect Work Comp benefits too