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Showing posts from May, 2025

SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY APPLICATION PROCESS

  Here is a brief overview of what takes place after you file your Social Security disability application: Application confirmation  – Social Security will mail you a copy of your application to sign. You will have an opportunity to review the application, correct any errors, and send it back to Social Security for processing. You must return the signed application. Social Security will not process your application until they receive your signed confirmation. And they don't send reminders about this. Function report  – Social Security will mail you a form called a function report. This form will ask questions about your personal care, meals, house and yard work, getting around, shopping, money, hobbies and interests, social activities,  and other abilities. This form will help Social Security determine what you can and cannot do on a daily basis. It must be filled out carefully and fully and returned. Work history report  – Social Security will mail ...

MISTAKES THAT RUIN A SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY APPLICATION

MISTAKES THAT RUIN A SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY APPLICATION  The paperwork for Social Security disability is daunting:  page after page of never-ending questions.  But, since most applications will be denied, it behooves you to complete the application correctly.  Here are some mistakes on your Social Security disability application that may ruin your claim.   Failing to Fill Out the Forms —The Social Security Administration (SSA) will send you a lot of forms to fill out. It’s up to you to make sure that you fill out every part of those forms correctly.  Don’t forget: if a question doesn’t apply to you, put “not applicable” or “N/A” in the provided space.   Do not leave anything blank. Return all forms within 10 days. If you don't your application may be discarded or withdrawn. Writing Illegibly —If your case reviewer can’t read your answers, then he/she can’t really say that you answered that question. Be sure the  answers to questions are nea...

SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY GUIDE for ALABAMA

IN GENERAL:  Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is provided to workers who have paid into the system.  Payments are called FICA (Federal Insurance Contribution Act) - and are deducted from your payroll or self-employment earnings.  As a general rule, you must have worked and paid FICA for at least 5 years out of the most recent 10 year period.  The rule is more lenient for individuals under age 31.  So, if you have paid in recently enough, you have coverage under SSDI.  Now, you must prove that you are disabled. WHAT IS DISABILITY UNDER SOCIAL SECURITY RULES? If you are under age 50, you must prove that you have one or medical and/or mental impairments that will keep you from working at ANY job for a minimum of 12 consecutive (straight) months.   If you are age 50-plus you may be awarded benefits by proving that you cannot perform any of your "past relevant work" (PRW).  Past relevant work is the full-time work you have done within the pa...

HOW TO GET EXTRA MONEY FROM SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY

HOW TO GET EXTRA MONEY........      from SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY  By Charles W. Forsythe - The Forsythe Firm - Huntsville, Alabama   Many people assume that Social Security begins paying from the date of application.  This is not the case.  You may be paid from the date your disability started, back to 12 months before you filed your app lication. This can provide you with thousands of dollars in retroactive or past due benefits. I have represented many claimants who received over $100,000 in extra money in a lump sum.  This happened because we proved that their disability occurred before they filed an application (and because it took Social Security a long time to process and approve the application). I feel that many claimants lose thousands of dollars in benefits by not knowing how the system works or how to prove an earlier disability date. At the Forsythe Firm we always try to obtain benefits from the earliest possible date, thus increasi...

NEW COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECRITY

  Financial services industry leader Frank Bisignano was sworn in on May 7, 2025 as the 18th Commissioner of Social Security. He joins the Social Security Administration from Fiserv, the industry leading payments and fintech company, where he was Chairman and CEO. Mr. Bisignano leads the Social Security Administration in matters of policy and implementing the many programs and benefits. “President Trump has been clear about Social Security. We will protect it,” said Commissioner Bisignano. “We will make the Social Security Administration a premier organization.” The Social Security Commissioner oversees the administration of all Social Security programs. Last year, Social Security paid over $1.5 trillion in benefits to more than 72 million beneficiaries.  

WHAT ARE GRID RULES? WHY AGE MATTERS

  When you are trying to get Social Security disability benefits, they consider more than just your physical and mental health.  Social Security also must consider your age, education level, and work history. The grid rules help decision makers to understand how age and education affects a claimant's ability to work. The grid rules are especially important for claimants who are age 50 or over.  They are even more important for claimants age 55 or over. Social Security rules recognize that as we age we become less adaptable to new types of work.  In general, if a claimant is age 55 or over--called "advanced age"-- he or she may be declared disabled under a grid rule if they are no longer able to perform past relevant work.  That same claimant might not be disabled at a younger age.  A claimant with the same medical history at age 40 might not be disabled under the rules.  This is because Social Security will likely find that, even though he cannot perfo...

WHAT IS SSI? IT IS NOT SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY

What is SSI if it isn't Social Security disability? SSI stands for Supplemental Security Income, often abbreviated SSI.  It is NOT Social Security disability, although the Social Security Administration administers the SSI program and benefits. HOW SSI IS DIFFERENT FROM SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY (SSDI) 1.  SSI does not require the claimant to have any work history.  SSDI does. So, SSI may be available, even though you never worked. 2.  SSI requires the claimant to have very, very low income and very limited financial resources.  SSDI does not require limited finances. 3. SSI eligibility is month-to-month, based on changing income, housing and living circumstances.  You may qualify for SSI one month but not the next (if income or living arrangements change). 4.  SSI is a type of federal welfare but SSDI is not; SSDI is a type of federal insurance benefit. 5.  The maximum federal SSI benefit for 2025 is only $967 per month for an individual.  ...