How will the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Affect my Social Security Disability Claim?
How will the Coronavirus (COVID-19) affect my Social Security disability claim? The Coronavirus (COVID-19) has impacted many aspects of our lives and the Social Security disability claims process is no exception. With the closing of the Social Security Administration (SSA)’s field and hearing offices, and with staff working from home, there have been changes in […]
Be Careful of What You Do and Say at Your Social Security Disability Examination
Be careful of what you do and say at your Social Security disability examination. There is a high probability you will be asked to attend a physical and/or mental examination for the Social Security Administration (SSA) when you apply for Social Security disability. These examinations are called Consultative Exams, commonly referred to as a “CE”. […]
Will My Doctor Testify at My Social Security Disability Hearing?
Will my doctor testify at my Social Security disability hearing? It is very rare that a treating physician will take the time to appear at your hearing. Unless you have a personal relationship with your physician, you will probably find it very difficult to convince your doctor to attend a hearing. I have found that […]
Why Does Social Security Disability Care About My Past Jobs?
Many of my clients applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) wonder why I ask them about jobs they have performed in the past. In claims for disability benefits, Social Security evaluates whether they believe you can return to jobs you held in the past. They look at the last […]
Social Security Disability and Your Date Last Insured
I have found the concept of a Date Last Insured (DLI) can be difficult for my clients to understand. In my practice as an Indiana Social Security Disability lawyer, I may need to explain this concept to my clients several times to for them to fully grasp what it means. I understand the difficulty in […]
Does Having a Cane, Walker, or Wheelchair Help Me in My Social Security Disability Case?
If you need a cane, walker, or wheelchair to ambulate effectively, it can have a significant impact on your claim for disability benefits. Many jobs that require a person to stand or walk during the work day can be hard to perform when the employee needs an assistive device. For example, if you are holding […]
Can I Receive Social Security Disability If I Had a Heart Attack?
If you or someone you know has had a heart attack and are considering filing a claim for Social Security Disability, there are some things you should consider. First, if you have not worked or believe you cannot work for twelve (12) consecutive months, it might be in your best interest to file immediately. Second, […]
How Long Do I Have to Be Disabled to Get Social Security Disability Payments?
Because the Social Security Administration (SSA) does not have a “short term” disability provision, you must meet certain durational requirements to qualify for disability payments. The SSA requires that your severe impairment has lasted or is expected to last at least twelve months. While this may seem pretty straight forward, it is a common reason […]
Digestive Problems and Social Security Disability
The impact of digestive problems can be very disabling. I have seen a large increase in the amount of these cases in my practice. Whether it is due to better detection by physicians or an ever increasing amount of individuals suffering from these disorders, it is obvious these conditions can make a huge impact on […]
Should I Bring a Cane To My Social Security Disability Hearing?
Many of my clients need an assistive device to get around more easily. The need for a cane, crutches, walker, or wheelchair may be necessary to walk even the shortest of distances. Asking if you need to bring one of these items to your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) hearing […]