SSDI

What medical conditions will qualify me to receive SSDI or SSI benefits?

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) offer financial assistance for those suffering from certain medical conditions.  The Social Security Administration (SSA) maintains a list of certain medical conditions that will automatically qualify you to receive benefits.  This list is termed the “Listing of Medical Impairments” and it is updated regularly.

Accidents, illnesses, and any number of other calamities can suddenly and unexpectedly remove you from the workforce.  When that happens, it generally has a very disruptive effect on a family’s finances.  For that reason, in addition to offering disability benefits to the worker, the Social Security Administration offers “auxiliary benefits” to certain members of that worker’s family to help stabilize and support the family.

Who qualifies to receive auxiliary benefits?

First, it’s important to clarify that auxiliary benefits are only available through SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance); they are NOT available through SSI (Supplemental Security Income).  The following family members of SSDI recipients can qualify to receive auxiliary benefit payments:

• Elderly Spouses - One way a spouse can qualify to receive auxiliary benefits is simply to reach the age of 62 years old.
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What is the difference between Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?

If you are disabled and struggling to cover your expenses, you may wish to consider applying for benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA).  The SSA offers two different programs that pay disability benefits: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).  Each program has different requirements for receipt of benefits and serves a unique purpose.  Our Read more . . .

If you are a military veteran, first of all thank you for your service and dedication to America; we truly and genuinely appreciate it.  And as a veteran, you more than most Americans have earned and deserve the benefits that your fellow citizens have approved through government programs.  

If you were injured during your service and are unable to work as a result, you may be eligible for SSDI, or Social Security Disability Insurance.  But as most veterans know, getting anything, especially benefits, from a government bureaucracy can sometimes be a job…think of all the war stories you’ve heard about the VA.  Having an experienced

How can I speed up the Social Security Disability claims process?

For millions of disabled Americans, Social Security Disability benefits provide much needed financial support.  Each year, upwards of 10 million people will receive SSDI benefits.  Without these benefits, disabled Americans that cannot work could find themselves in dire financial straits.  Applying for SSDI benefits is a notoriously complex process that can involve lengthy delays.  Now, with funding challenges and understaffing, SSDI applicants may wait even longer.
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What could cuts to the Social Security Disability Insurance program mean for me?

The Social Security Disability program evolved from the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Program of the Social Security Administration (SSA).  Though the original program contained the term “disability” it did not in fact provide for disabled persons.  The law was amended in 1956 to officially form the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program.
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Certain applicants for Social Security Disability benefits or Supplemental Security Income disability benefits will be required to submit to a medical examination, also referred to as a consultative exam (CE).   The medical exam may be required where your application does not have sufficient evidence of your medical condition or if you have not been seen by a doctor for a considerable period of time.  While the medical exam can be intimidating, with some advance preparation and knowledge as to what the exam will consist of, you can complete the consultative exam and start receiving your benefits in no time.
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You’ve waited for so long and now, you finally have a social security disability hearing date. Don’t get excited just yet, having a hearing does not automatically mean you’ll be granted social security disability benefits. This will depend solely on what the administrative law judge (ALJ) deems just with regard to the circumstances. With that being said, presenting yourself well, avoiding certain pitfalls and having an experienced

Can I obtain SSDI benefits if I have been diagnosed with cancer?

Battling cancer can leave you physically, emotionally, and financially drained.  Cancer patients may be unable to continue working on a fulltime basis.  For individuals who have been diagnosed with certain types of cancer, applying for Social Security Disability benefits could provide you with considerable financial assistance so that you can focus on getting well.  Our Read more . . .

Social Security is a way for millions of Americans to get financial assistance if they are disabled. However, it is estimated that the Social Security Administration rejects about 57 percent of the applications received in New York.

If your application is rejected, there is an appeals process where you can plead your case to an administrative law judge, but this is not something you want to do alone.  The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a relatively clear standard to decide if someone is eligible for benefits, and has a step-by-step process that all applications go through. Having an experienced Read more . . .

What is a compassionate allowance and how can it help me?

Social Security benefits provide much needed financial assistance to individuals with certain medical conditions that limit their ability to work.  While SSDI benefits can be life changing, applying for and receiving benefits is often a lengthy process. Applicants may be forced to wait between four and six months to find out whether their claim has been approved.  Individuals who are denied benefits will wait even longer while going through the slow appeals process.