Disability
A Sad Statistic: 30,000 died awaiting approval of SS Disability benefits
Social Security’s customer service issues are quite well known, especially by those who submit an application for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. On average, it’s now taking about 8 months for an initial SSDI determination, and appeals of denied…
Understanding Social Security Disability
Navigating the treacherous terrain of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) can be quite intimidating – unless, of course, you learn how the program works. While eligibility criteria are stringent, if you are truly disabled and have earned at least the…
About SS Disability and Returning to Work
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a lifeline extended to American workers who become disabled and, thus, are unable to earn at their chosen profession. Criteria for SSDI eligibility are strict, including that the disability must be near total and…
Must I Pay Income Tax on Social Security Disability Benefits?
As with most Social Security questions, the answer is “it depends.” Social Security has an earnings test which affects anyone who is collecting Social Security benefits before they have reached their full retirement age, and that includes those collecting Social…
Ask Rusty – Will Opening a Joint Account Affect My Disabled Father’s “SSI?”
Dear Rusty: I live in Michigan and my senior disabled father lives in rural Kentucky. His income is part Social Security and part disability. I talked to a local credit union near his home and explained I would like to…
A Brief Review of the SSDI Process
The topic of Social Security Disability takes center stage in a video by attorney Chris Jancula from central Pennsylvania law firm Gieg and Jancula, LLC. In the four-minute YouTube video, Attorney Jancula provides an introduction to Social Security’s provisions designed…
SSA Proposes Permanent Use of Virtual Technologies for Disability Hearings
As explained in a May 19 Federal Register notice, the Social Security Administration is seeking to make the use of video and phone hearings a permanent operating procedure. An article posted on federaltimes.com notes that the agency has had favorable…
Ticket to Work: A Benefit for the Disabled
Enterprise reporter Joelle Jones at KOIN 6 digital news in Portland, Oregon writes on the importance of those drawing Social Security’s disability benefits knowing about the program’s Ticket to Work program. As she explains, “The little-known Social Security Administration program…
Details on Supplemental Security Income and How to Qualify
Over 8 million people received Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits from Social Security in April, with 28.5% of them age 65 or older. If you are wondering about your individual eligibility, check out this Patch.com article by Social Security’s Delia De…
Ask Rusty – Using IRA instead of Claiming SS; Disability Appeal
Dear Rusty: I am currently unemployed and drawing funds from my IRA. I am 62 years old. My financial adviser instructed me to not take Social Security because once I do that the percentage of increase would stop. He said…