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SAYING THIS WILL KILL YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY CLAIM

  WHAT NOT TO SAY TO SOCIAL SECURITY   So, you’re trying for Social Security disability benefits? Here are things you can write or say that will nearly always get you rejected : 1.      I stopped working due to any reason besides disability.   Some common mistakes would include:   getting laid off, my employer’s business closed, I lost my transportation, or I stayed home with a sick family member.   None of these are disabilities and Social Security will not pay a benefit for them.   When you say one of these, your case has died.    2.    My employer fired me.   The question is, why did you get fired? If you were fired for absenteeism, doing sloppy work or arguing with the boss, it is not helpful to a disability case.   However, if you were fired due to poor health and difficulty performing your job duties, it can support your case for disability.   If you frequent absences were due to sickness or me...
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ODDS OF WINNING A SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY APPEAL

The chance of winning a Social Security Disability (SSD) appeal varies significantly by stage, with approval rates being very low at the reconsideration (around 15%) and Appeals Council (about 1% for direct approval) stages, but the odds improve at the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing level (around 45-50%) .     Having legal representation can nearly triple your chances of winning at the ALJ level, and documenting functional limitations thoroughly is crucial for success at all stages.   Here are the 3 Levels of Appeal within the Social Security Administration "Reconsideration" - the first level of appeal.  Your claim goes back to the state agency that denied it for review by a different evaluator.  The odds of approval here are no more than 10 percent, very poor.  This is a required appeal before other action may be taken. Hearing by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).  Judges hold hearings on cases denied at the "reconsideration" level....

4 WAYS TO LOSE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS

By Charles W. Forsythe, The Forsythe Firm, Huntsville, AL   I am going to discuss 4 ways to get your Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits taken away. I'm not saying these are the only ways--just 4 common ways. Going to work. If you receive SSDI benefits you may not work at Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) . If you do, Social Security will consider you to be no longer disabled and stop your benefits. (SGA is an amount of earned income set by Social Security each year. In 2025 you are working at SGA level if you earn wages or self-employment of at least $1,620 per month (gross). This is NOT a limit on how much income you can have; it is a limit on how much you can WORK. There are no exceptions and it doesn't matter WHY you are working. Continuing Disability Review (CDR). Social Security will periodically review your case to see if you remain eligible for benefits. If they find that you've made "significant medical improvement" they may discontinue yo...

IS YOUR DISABIITY CASE STRONG, AVERAGE OR WEAK (Huntsville, AL Social Security law)

Claimants may get approved for Social Security disability (SSDI) at any age and with almost any medical condition.  However, not all cases are equal.  Here, I'm going to try to break down SSDI cases into 3 categories based on certain characeristics.  To see which category YOUR case falls into, speak to an experienced Social Security lawyer.  No two cases are alike and you may not be able to evaluate your case just by using this general information.   STRONG CASE Claimant is at least 50 years of age but not yet full retirement age. Claimant has at least one severe and medically determined medical/mental impairment that has lasted or is expected to last for at least 12 straight months. Has worked at least 5 years out of the most recent 10-year period Has had current and regular medical treatment and is compliant with treatment. The claimant is not presently working due to a severe disability or medical condition. Has recently been seen by a medical specialist and ...

HOW THE GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN AFFECTS SOCIAL SECURITY: GOOD INFORMATION

  October 1, 2025 HOW THE SHUTDOWN AFFECTS SOCIAL SECURITY My good friend Attorney Karl Osterhout has provided me with a lot of good information about how the US government shutdown will affect Social Security. I want to share this with you. As all of you are undoubtedly aware, the federal government shut down at midnight on October 1. The early indication is that this may last for some time. Understandably, this creates concern for our clients and for the professionals who represent them. Below is the best information available right now about how this might affect clients who are in the process of applying for benefits. Benefits to Current Claimants Clients already receiving Social Security, SSI, or SSDI benefits will continue receiving payments without interruption. This has been true in all 20 previous shutdowns since 1976, and disability benefits remain funded as “mandatory spending” outside of congressional appropriations. Pending Claims and Applications Hearings:  The...

DRUG PRICES REDUCED 50 PERCENT IN 2026

For individuals struggling to pay for prescription drugs, there is good news.   President Trump met with Pharmaceutical executives this week and negotiated a direct-to-consumers program that can drastically reduce the cost of your prescription drugs--up to 50 percent, they report. Pfizer Pharmaceutical, one of the nation's largest drug manufacturers, agreed to establish a direct website called TrumpRX.gov which will be run by the government.  The public can use this website to purchase prescription drugs directly from the manufacturer at savings up to 50 percent. The website is to be up and running sometime in 2026.  Officials say this agreement also puts pressure on other drug companies to reduce prices. “We are proud to join President Trump at the White House to celebrate this landmark agreement that is a win for American patients, a win for American leadership, and a win for Pfizer,” said Albert Bourla, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pfizer. “By working close...

WHAT NOT TO DO IF APPLYING FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY (SSDI)

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a complex program with thousands of federal rules and regulations. So, what are things you should not do if applying for Social Security disability? Don't work unless you talk to your attorney first.  Working can easily make you ineligible for an SSDI benefit.   Don't lie or misrepresent anything on your application or other forms.  Credibility is very important so avoid contradictions. Don't stop seeing your doctor or getting medical treatment.  Your doctor's current records are vital in getting approved for any disability.  Don't ignore correspondence or forms sent to you by Social Security or your state's Disability Determination Service (DDS). Don't miss any consultative physical or mental status exams scheduled for you by Social Security. Don't post personal information on social media:  Social Security can and does read these posts to find out about your activities, like trips, hobbies, etc.  Caref...