If you have applied for disability benefits and are experiencing delays in a decision from the Social Security Administration (SSA), you’re not alone. Social Security wait times have increased over the past several years and have doubled since 2016. The total average processing time for 2024 so far is 225 days, compared to 110 days…
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…
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…
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…
Applying for social security disability benefits is a complex process that requires multiple forms of evidence to prove you are disabled, and the severity of your disability. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a five-step process in order to determine whether or not you are disabled. By evaluating ones symptoms, whether or not one can…
In order to meet the Social Security Administrations (SSA) definition of disabled you must not be able to engage in any substantial gainful activity (work) due to a medically-determined physical or mental impairments, that can result in death or has lasted or is expected to last for a period of 12 months or longer. How…
John worked as a forklift operator for many years until he got sick and needed heart surgery. He was unable to work for over a year and had mounting medical bills. John applied for social security disability benefits on his own, but was denied twice. He was very discouraged, and didn’t know what he was…
This week attorneys Adam Banton and Patrick Cahill are attending a Social Security disability conference hosted by the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives. The conference addresses a wide variety of topics, including discussions on recent regulatory changes concerning the Social Security Administration. One such change mandates that for all Social Security disability hearings…
I will never forget you and the hard work you did to secure my Social Security Disability benefits. Thank you!
