As inflation continues to hike up the prices of consumer goods and living expenses in the U.S., the SSA makes sure its 71 million beneficiaries can still support themselves and their families with the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). This is when the SSA increases checks by a certain percentage to ensure the purchasing power of…
When you’ve become disabled and need help, the Social Security Administration (SSA) offers numerous programs to provide assistance for yourself and your household. Unfortunately, many myths and false claims could steer an applicant in the wrong direction. Before you file your claim, here’s what you need to know: The Truth About Social Security Disability Myths:…
Turning 50 is a tremendous milestone for anyone. However, people collecting Social Security Disability Insurance (SSD) may wonder what this means for their benefits. While the rules for SSD technically do not change when the beneficiary turns 50, here are five ways the SSA considers age and could work in your favor. 1. Age Categories:…
The Social Security Disability claims process can often be a lengthy process of trial and error. Fortunately, once approved for benefits, you could be eligible for retroactive benefits, also known as backpay. Could I Get SSD Backpay? Once approved, backpay covers the period between the disability onset date and the application date – when…
Losing a spouse is a difficult and emotional time in anyone’s life. Along with the grieving process, there are also financial considerations to consider. One of these considerations may be Social Security disability benefits. Can a widower collect their spouse’s Social Security disability benefits? Widows May Be Eligible for Spouse’s Benefits Under Certain Conditions…
Suppose you were approved by the SSA for disability benefits and begin collecting your monthly payments. In that case, you must expect routine Continuing Disability Reviews, or CDRs, for the SSA to ensure you’re still eligible. Receiving notice that the SSA will conduct a CDR for the first time could be nerve-wracking, and it could…
If you are a Social Security Disability claimant waiting longer than usual for a decision from the SSA, you are not alone. In fact, you are joined by nearly one million Americans in the Social Security backlog. Due to underfunding and diminished staff, Social Security is seeing massive processing delays and cannot keep up with…
If an initial application for benefits is denied, you can file for reconsideration. In the reconsideration phase, the claim will be reviewed once more by the SSA. If it doesn’t make it past the second review, it requires a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). If your claim enters the reconsideration phase, don’t panic…
Social Security Disability benefits are designed to help those unable to work meet their basic needs with crucial financial assistance. If you have recently become disabled and can no longer support yourself, you may be eligible for benefits under certain conditions. This includes earning enough work credits and applying within Social Security’s claim time limits….
Recently, the SSA announced that the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2023 is 8.7% – the highest increase in payments in decades. This boost in monthly benefits will begin in January 2023. This is the highest the COLA has ever been since 1981, which saw an increase in benefits by 11.2%. For the approximately 70 million…
I will never forget you and the hard work you did to secure my Social Security Disability benefits. Thank you!
