DISABILITY SURVIVAL GUIDE: NORTH ALABAMA EDITION

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO GET A GOOD SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY LAWYER?   The truth is, it may not cost anything at all.   The Social Security Administration (SSA) regulates the way lawyers get paid to represent claimants.  Lawyers usually do not charge any upfront fees and will collect a fee only on successful cases that result in a recovery of past due benefits.   So, why would there never be a fee for your lawyer? 1.  If you don't win your case the lawyer can't charge a fee. 2.  If you win the case but don't get any past due benefit, there's no fee. 3.  Since Social Security disability has a 5 months waiting period, there would not be a fee if your claim is approved within the first 6 months of your disability.   How does this protect you, the claimant? Under no circumstances can a claimant run up a bill for legal fees without getting "back pay" or a past due settlement. The lawyer's fee will be a percentage of the back pay awarded to the c...

  I look at comments disabled claimants write about their experience trying to get Social Security disability benefits.   "Overwhelming." "Mentally and emotionally more than I could bear." "Heartbreaking." A retired US Marine officer wrote:  "By far the most convoluted system I've ever seen." Too often th e nightmare of dealing with Social Security comes during a time of trials and hardship.  On top of being disabled and in financial crisis (and probably in pain) claimants must deal with a system that is demanding, unresponsive and frightening. I like to think that my firm throws a lifeline to many of these individuals when they need it most.   Not only do I try to get maximum benefits in the shortest time possible, but I hope to take a lot of the burden and uncertainty off the claimant's shoulders.  My goal is to help relieve some of the stress and emotional turmoil involved in seeking disability benefits.   And the workload.  Handling a...

  How hard is it to get Social Security disability (SSDI) in Tennessee? It can be very difficult.  In the beginning stages of the process, it seems like the agency is out to deny as many claims as possible.  Later--in the appeals process--it takes more technical and legal skill to move through the labyrinth of obstacles. What's the usual reason for an SSDI denial? If you look at all the denial letters, the most comm on reason given is:  You are not disabled according to our rules. The 2 main explanation for finding claimants not disabled are: 1.  You are able to perform some of your past relevant work. 2.  You can't perform any of your past work but you are able to do other work. Those are the two "catch all" reasons Social Security gives for nearly all of their denials.  Both of these reasons fall into the category of a medical denial .  The claimant's condition is not deemed severe enough to prevent all work. There are other reasons for d...

How hard is it to get Social Security disability (SSDI) in Alabama? It can be very difficult.  In the beginning stages of the process, it seems like the agency is out to deny as many claims as possible.  Later--in the appeals process--it takes more technical and legal skill to move through the labyrinth of obstacles. What's the usual reason for an SSDI denial? If you look at all the denial letters, the most comm on reason given is:  You are not disabled according to our rules. The 2 main explanation for finding claimants not disabled are:  1.  You are able to perform some of your past relevant work. 2.  You can't perform any of your past work but you are able to do other work. Those are the two "catch all" reasons Social Security gives for nearly all of their denials.  Both of these reasons fall into the category of a medical denial .  The claimant's condition is not deemed severe enough to prevent all work. There are other reasons for denial: 1....

Social Security disability has several names.  Its official name is Social Security Disability Insurance , or SSDI for short. It is also called Title 2 Insurance or Title 2 benefits. Sometimes, its just called "Social Security disability." All those names refer to a program by the US government, through the Social Security Administration (SSA), that insures most workers against total disability that occurs before their full retirement age. I should emphasize here that the key word is insurance .  SSDI is based on the same principle as all other forms of insurance.  The insured person pays a premium and is given a "policy" or contract that promises certain benefits if the terms of the contract are met while the policy is paid up. The reason most people do not recognize Social Security as "insurance" is because..... (1) They were never asked to purchase SSDI insurance, and (2)  They are not aware that they ever paid "premiums" for such disability ...

The typical claimant will wait about 2 years to get a hearing with a judge regarding a Social Security disability claim.  Here are some mistakes you must avoid to be approved at your hearing: 1.  Don't fail to show up.  After waiting years for their hearing, some claimants just don't show up.  In most cases, the judge will then dismiss the case, leaving the claimant with no options but to file a new application and literally start over.  Be certain to show up at your hearing.  You are the star witness and you must appear for your hearing.  By the way, of all the processes in the system, the hearing gives you the best chance of being awarded benefits. 2.  Don't be late.  Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your scheduled hearing date.  Your representing attorney may suggest an even earlier arrival time. 3.  Don't fail to prepare for your hearing.  While hearings are informal, they are still complex and confusing to some...

  Here's everything you always wanted to know about Social Security disability - but were afraid to ask: T Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) only protects workers who have paid into the system, either by payroll deduction or with their federal income tax return.  The tax is called "FICA." You must have a minimum number of "work credits" to be eligible for SSDI benefits. The Social Security disability system is not user friendly.  Social Security's definition of "disability" is very strict and hard to meet.  Generally, you must be totally unable to work any full-time job. About 80 percent of initial claims will be denied, usually because "you are still able to perform other work which exists in the national economy."  Many of these denials are made in error. SSDI does not pay the first 5 full months of a disability (the waiting period). Your disability must be expected to last a full 12 months or to end in death or it's not c...

YOU'LL BE GETTING MORE IN 2025   Your Social Security check will be more in 2025.  Starting in January, benefit checks will increase by 2.5 percent If your 2024 benefit was $1,000, for example, your 2025 check is be $1, 025 per month in 2025. The Social Security Administration announces a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) in October each year and it goes into effect the following January.  The COLA is based on certain inflation indices. You don't need to do anything to get your increase.  It will automatically be added to your benefit check beginning in January 2025. _____________ The Forsythe Firm assists the disabled in obtaining Social Security benefits, often after the government has denied their claims.  We offer you FREE consultations, representation with no upfront cost to you--and you never pay a fee unless your claim or appeal is approved with past due pay.  Start with a simple phone call:  (256) 799-0297.