DISABILITY SURVIVAL GUIDE: NORTH ALABAMA EDITION

You just had your Social Security disability hearing before a federal Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).  As you check the status of your case while waiting on a decision you will encounter these terms:   Post Hearing Review:  The ALJ is still reviewing your case before making a decision.  He/She is reviewing the testimony given at your hearing and/or reviewing the medical evidence to see whether you meet the rules for a disability benefit.  No decision has been reached. AOD - Alleged Onset Date:   This is the date on which you allege your qualifying disability began.  This is also the date at which you want your disability benefits to begin.  The ALJ may accept this date if supported by the evidence OR he/she may assign a new date that he/she feels is more in line with the medical evidence.   EOD - Established Onset Date:  This is the official date of your disability onset as established by the judge (ALJ).  It may be the same as you...

There's not one Social Security trust fund, there are two:  the disability trust fund and the retirement trust fund. The 2025 Trustees' report projected that the Disability Insurance (DI) Trust Fund can pay 100% of benefits through 2098 with no reductions or changes. This fund can pay benefits to an individual who become disabled (as defined by Social Security rules) prior to full retirement age. However, the retirement (pension) trust fund will have to reduce benefits in 2034 if changes are not made. This is the part of Social Security that pays a retirement benefit starting between the ages of 62 and 67. Both Social Security trust funds are self financing.  Workers pay 7.65 percent of their wages in FICA* tax, up to a maximum of $176,000 wages per year.  Their employers pay a matching 7.65 percent of wages into the trust funds.  Thus for every $100 paid in wages, $15.30 is paid to the trust fund as FICA contributions. (Self employed individuals pay the full 15.3 p...

First,  keep in mind what you are asking Social Security to do:  TO PAY YOU A DISABILITY BENEFIT.  To them, "disability" means that you have been (or will be) unable to work for at least 12 straight months because of a severe physical and/or mental condition.  Therefore, you should not make any statement that has nothing to do with being unable to work. The following are some statements that have nothing to do with being disabled (under Social Security rules).  You should avoid making these statements. 1)  Nobody will hire me. (Employment problem, not a disability problem). 2) There are no jobs in my town or area.  (Again, not a disability) 3) I can't find any work that I want to do.  (Not a disability) 4) The jobs I could get don't pay enough to live on.  (Same) 5)  I can't work because (any of the following):  I have to care for a sick child or relative; I don't have transportation; the place I used to work closed down; I have be...

  Unfortunately a Social Security disability claim can take up to 2 years or more to be processed.  That's a long time to wait if you are disabled and need money to pay life's necessities.  There is a way to speed up Social Security if you meet the strict requirements:  ask that your  claim be processed as a 'DIRE NEED.' A "dire need" letter for Social Security disability explains why your case needs to be processed faster due to an immediate threat to your health or safety, such as facing homelessness, eviction, or inability to afford food, medicine, or utilities .     You should write the letter, include supporting documents like eviction notices, and send it to your local Social Security Administration (SSA). It is best to call the SSA office within about 2 weeks to confirm they received the letter and are processing it as a dire need case.   Be sure your full Social Security number (SSN) appears on all letters and documents. Sign your fu...

  There are 2 ways a worker can suddenly loose his/her income and the ability to support the family: One is by premature death.  Life insurance is the best way to protect against the loss of income due to premature death. The second is by disability.  One in 4 Americans will become disabled before reaching full retirement age.   The US Government provides insurance to protect against lost wages due to disability.  It's called Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). SSDI is a valuable benefit bu t has the following challenges: 1.  It takes a long time to get approved for SSDI benefits.  The initial application can take 12 months or more for review and over 75 percent will be denied after the first review.  The resulting appeals can take up to 2 years with no benefits being paid during appeals. You may need a lawyer to get approved. 2.  Not everyone has Social Security disability coverage.  SSDI only covers only  individuals wh...

HUNTSVILLE, AL:  GET APPROVED FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY PAY         Social Security disability in Huntsvile, AL can pay up to $4,018 per month to those who qualify.  Getting approved isn't easy and you will likely need professional help. Charles W. Forsythe is a specialist in Social Security disability with almost 25 years experience.  He practices nothing but Social Security disability law and has an excellent track record. Here's what you get with the Forsythe Firm. A local advocate whom you meet day-one and who stays with your case to the finish. Personal attention to your disability claim. Access to your representative with phone calls promptly returned. Assistance with the massive paperwork that comes with Social Security. Help with gathering appropriate medical evidence to prove your claim. Recovering maximum past due benefits provided by the law. Expert advocacy for appeals and hearings. Free local consultation with no cost, no pressur...