Social Security Justice

An individual may qualify for Social Security disability benefits due to any medical impairment--physical or mental.  There is no particular impairment.  In fact, Social Security will consider all of your medical problems and the combined effect on your ability to perform work-related activity. The most common medical problem for which SSDI benefits are awarded is back or musculoskeletal problems.   If you are under age 50, here is the overriding question Social Security will consider:  Are there any jobs in the national economy that you could perform, based on your age, education, past work experience and medical condition? If the answer is "No," you will be awarded disability benefits.  However, the ability to perform any job which exists in substantial numbers in the national economy will be disqualifying. If you are age 50 or over, the question will probably be:  Are you able to perform any of your past relevant work?  (This means any job y...

Recently disabled veterans are especially good candidates to receive Social Security Disability (SSDI) benefits. SSDI benefits are payable in addition to any VA benefits the veteran receives. Social Security, however, has a totally different application process,different set of rules and different procedures than the Veterans Administration.  You must apply with Social Security and submit evidence of disability under their rules . The maximum monthly SSDI benefit in 2017 is $2,687.  Your actual benefit will depend on a number of factors. Veterans may be entitled to collect SSDI benefits from the date they became unable to perform their military duties--in many cases, even while they received active duty pay. While veterans don't necessarily have to have 100 percent VA disability ratings to get SSDI benefits, those who do may be entitled to special expedited processing. The Forsythe Firm in Huntsville is veteran friendly and veteran experienced.  We have worked...

Two-thirds of all disability applications filed in Alabama are denied.  Many of these denials are mistakes and may be downright wrong.  How can they be corrected? You should immediately appeal and denied claim.  You file a Request for Hearing by an Administrative Law Judge.  This is filed in writing with the Social Security office.  (Telephone calls don't count; you can't file an appeal over the phone). You only have 60 days to file an appeal.  This is a very strict deadline.  After 60 days, your denial stands and cannot be appealed. You will eventually appear before a special judge for an in person hearing. The judge will give you a new review, look at all the evidence, including new evidence--and give you a new decision.  This is where your best chance of being approved lies--at the hearing. Do you need representation at the hearing?  I think you do.  It is a technical, legal matter and you have your financial well being at sta...

Here are the rules for Social Security disability in Alabama. Primary Requirements 1.  You are not now working at substantial gainful employment (Defined in 2017 as earning at least $1,170 per month.  In 2018, this number will change to $1,180). 2.  You have not yet reached your full retirement age. 3.  You have 1 or more severe impairments that interfere with the ability to work; this impairment is expected to last at least 12 consecutive months OR to end in death. 4.  You are not physically or mentally able to return to past work. 5.  (Under age 50) - You are not able to perform any other full-tme work which exists in the US economy.   You must have objective medical evidence to prove your impairments and the severity of your symptoms (medical records).  We can help you get medical records if they exist.   Factors to be Considered in Disability Decisions your age your past work experience your level of education your m...

It sometimes take 24 months or longer to get Social Security disability started.  How do you survive financially if you can't work and have no income?  It's a frequent problem faced by disabled individuals.  Here are resources that may help you piece together a financial survival plan while you wait on Social Security to act. FOOD STAMPS :  Contact your county's Department of Human Resources.  In Madison County, it's located at 2206 Oakwood Avenue NW.  Phone (256) 427-6000. Each county has a DHS department.  Website:   http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Madison MORTGAGE PAYMENTS :  Contact "Hardest Hit Alabama" at www.hardesthitalabama.com   or call 1-877-497-8182.  They may help you make mortgage payments. LOW COST MEDICAL CARE (DOCTORS) : Click on the link below for a list of low cost clinics near you. The list is state-wide, generally listed in alphabetical order.  Scroll the list to find ...