Social Security Disability Information Center

If I Had a Stroke, Can I Receive Social Security Disability?

August 19, 2016

The Social Security Administration (SSA) can determine whether or not you can receive disability payments for the after-effects of a stroke. While there are two separate disability programs, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the medical requirements to receive payments are the same. The mental and physical residuals from a stroke […]

What is a Contingent Fee Agreement?

August 3, 2016

If you have applied for Social Security disability benefits and have been denied, you may have been advised to hire an attorney to help you appeal your case. However, you might be worried that you can’t afford an attorney – after all, aren’t lawyers famous for charging high hourly rates for every second they spend on […]

Do I have a good Social Security disability case?

July 7, 2016

I hear this question probably more than any other question from my clients. When I was in law school, one of my professors told me, “The facts always matter,” and a Social Security disability case is no exception. It’s also important to know how Social Security applies its rules to the facts of your case when […]

Anatomy of a Social Security Disability Hearing Part III: The Decision

June 9, 2016

When the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) makes a determination about your disability claim, he or she does not simply send you a letter that says “Congratulations! You have been found disabled!” or “Sorry, but you do not qualify for disability.” The Social Security Administration (SSA) requires the ALJ to provide you with a thorough explanation […]

Anatomy of a Social Security Hearing Decision Part II: Approval of the fee agreement

May 27, 2016

If you were represented at your disability hearing by an attorney or qualified representative, your favorable Social Security hearing decision will contain an “Order of Administrative Law Judge” either approving or disapproving your fee agreement. That order also explains that you have fifteen days to respond to the judge if you do not agree with […]

Anatomy of a Social Security Hearing Decision Part I: How do I know if I won?

May 20, 2016

If you have a Social Security disability hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), you probably will leave the hearing without knowing whether you won or not. Most claimants have to wait between thirty and ninety days to receive the ALJ’s decision in the mail. (Sometimes it can take even longer if the […]