Category Archives: Social Security Disability
Will Coronavirus (COVID-19) Affect Social Security Benefits in 2020 and 2021?
Starting March 17, all local Social Security offices will be closed for in-person service due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, as announced by the Social Security Administration. The decision is intended to protect older Americans and Social Security recipients with underlying medical conditions. These are the categories of people that the SSA serves on a daily… Read More »
Beware of Social Security Disability Scams
Recently we have had clients call us and tell us that they were called by the Social Security Office and advised that their Social Security Disability benefits were being discontinued or denied and that the caller needed their personal information including the last four digits of their social security number. Be advised that THIS… Read More »
Participating in Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Program as a Health Care Provider
The steps to participate in Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program as a health care provider are more simple and straightforward than in some other states. Hundreds of physicians across the state have qualified so far in the early stages of the program. However, there are still some qualifications and hoops that are necessary to go… Read More »
Medical Marijuana and Social Security Disability
If Social Security finds that you are disabled and have medical evidence of your drug addiction or alcoholism, they will then determine whether your drug addiction or alcoholism is a contributing factor material to the determination of disability. If so, they may find you ineligible for benefits. This has ramifications for those using marijuana… Read More »
What Does “Insured Status” Mean for Social Security Disability Eligibility?
Many people receive Social Security Disability denials because they were not insured at the time they become disabled. In that case, they will receive a letter indicating that they are not eligible shortly after applying, and without any medical evidence being evaluated. Typically, the reason for the loss of insured status is the failure… Read More »
WILL MY ATTEMPTS TO WORK AFFECT MY APPLICATION FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY?
Claimants often ask if it will hurt their chances of getting Social Security Disability if they work prior to applying for Social Security Disability benefits. Most times, the answer is yes, but not always. Clearly, if you are able to work and earn above a certain amount, you not are disabled by the Social… Read More »
Can I Get Social Security Disability Due to Obesity?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than a third (36.5%) of U.S. adults suffer from obesity. Recognized obesity related conditions include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and some forms of cancer. Obesity was in the past one of the listed impairments, which meant that you would automatically be qualified… Read More »
2017 Brings Modest Social Security Disability Increase
There is good news and bad news for recipients of Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. The good news is that monthly benefit amounts will increase for 2017. The bad news is that the increase will only be .3 percent for cost of living adjustments (COLA). Since 1975, Social Security’s general… Read More »
Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana and Social Security Disability Claims
Yes, it can. In April, the Pennsylvania Legislature passed SB3, now Act 16 of 2016, authorizing a medical marijuana program in the state. However, as of this writing (July 2016), its use by adults is not yet permitted. It will take approximately two years for the program to be running and fully functional. When… Read More »
Social Security Disability and Knee, Hip, and Ankle Injuries
Many injured workers in Pennsylvania are unable to work due to injuries to or conditions relating to their knee, hip, or ankle. Knee, hip, or ankle conditions can result from a single injury, multiple injuries, or from degeneration over time. Sometimes the conditions can meet Social Security’s standards, or listings, to obtain disability benefits. … Read More »
