Many disabilities are evident just by looking at someone. When someone sees clues that another person has a disability (e.g. they are using a wheelchair), there is a common understanding that special accommodations should be made to help that person. But what about disabilities that cannot be seen? Just because a disability is not always…
With tax season around the corner, you may be wondering if your disability benefits can be taxed. It is important to know that although Michigan imposes a state income tax, it has made Social Security benefits fully exempt from tax liability. In addition, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is not taxed. However, you still may be…
The Social Security Administration’s Compassionate Allowances program helps quickly identify disability applicants who have extremely severe medical conditions in an effort to reduce wait times. According to the SSA, a variety of organizations and experts were consulted to determine which conditions are considered to be Compassionate Allowances. These sources include The National Institutes of Health,…
In order to receive Social Security Disability benefits (SSD) there are a number of factors that must be met, including having a disability that is expected to last for at least a year, as well as providing sufficient medical evidence and a solid work history. Social Security Disability is funded through FICA taxes that employees…
A woman from New York was initially denied SSD benefits in 2012, and once her appeal was granted five years later, the battle was far from over. The SSA continued to give her the runaround regarding the benefits checks she desperately needed. This example makes the case for how important it is to partner with…
Could you imagine having a serious, chronic illness and relying on Social Security Disability benefits for your necessary medical treatments, only to have your benefits abruptly stopped, when your condition is getting worse? This is what unfortunately happened to a 22-year-old woman diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, an incurable disease that causes serious lung damage. She…
Congressional budget cuts to the Social Security Administration (SSA) over the course of the past eight years have forced the SSA to reduce staff, leading to long wait times and delays in resolving benefit issues. The impacts of the budget cuts are felt sharply by disabled and retired Americans who depend on these benefits to…
A new study examined economic outcomes of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) applicants denied benefits by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Findings indicate such applicants suffer economic harm and fare poorly in the job market. A detailed article on the findings appears here. Older SSDI applicants denied benefits due to stringent SSA standards go on…
A significant group of disabled Americans could be missing out on receiving the social security disability (SSD) benefits they deserve, because they don’t think they need to apply. Those who are 50-62-years-old may become disabled, but think that social security disability is not for them. Perhaps they are daunted by the seemingly complicated process or…
An older Oregon couple—he with a degenerative muscle disease and she with a rare form of cancer—claim they are now entangled in a battle with the Social Security Administration (SSA) as they battle for their lives. A detailed article on the couple’s claims is available here. Last year, the SSA sent the couple a letter…
I will never forget you and the hard work you did to secure my Social Security Disability benefits. Thank you!
