Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Almost 1.2 million Floridians suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. COPD is an umbrella term that refers to a group of lung diseases that block airflow and make it difficult for an individual to breathe. Two of the most common conditions that make up COPD...
No Benefits, No Fee – Why You Should Hire a Social Security Disability Lawyer
Many Floridians mistakenly believe that if they hire a lawyer to handle their Social Security disability claim, they are going to have to pay a big retainer fee or a huge sum of money per hour for the lawyer’s services. This misconception is understandable since the stereotype of lawyers is that...
Why You Need a Florida Social Security Disability Insurance Lawyer
Some people think that filing for Social Security Disability Benefits is easy; you fill out some documents and in a matter of weeks, you are receiving a check. Unfortunately, this is a complete misconception. In fact, at the initial application stage, less than 27 percent of applicants in Florida are approved to...
Disabling Conditions Under SSDI
Social Security Disability Insurance Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal program that provides financial assistance to people with disabilities. The program is administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and there are eligibility requirements to qualify for benefits. When an individual applies for SSDI benefits, the SSA collects...
Appealing a Social Security Disability Insurance Denial in Florida
SSDI Appeals When the Social Security Administration (SSA) makes a decision about an individual’s Social Security Disability (SSD) eligibility or the amount of an individual’s benefit award, the SSA sends a letter (called a Notice of Decision) to the individual which explains the SSA’s decision. If the letter is a denial...
Fibromyalgia & Social Security Disability
Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that is characterized by widespread muscle pain and tenderness that lasts for more than 3 months. Although it is estimated that more than 5 million people in the United States suffer from fibromyalgia, awareness of the disease has increased only over the past few...
Residual Functional Capacity in SSD Eligibility
Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits are available to individuals who have worked in recent years (typically five out of the past 10 years) but who have now become disabled. SSD is not a “needs-based” program, which means that an individual can qualify regardless of his or her income or assets,...
Medical Evidence of Disability or Impairment for SSDI Purposes
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal insurance program that is run by the Social Security Administration (SSA). SSDI provides cash benefits to replace some of an individual’s income if they can no longer work due to disability. SSDI is not a welfare program, because individuals pay in to...
Past Work Experience For Social Security In Florida
When the Social Security Administration (SSA) makes a determination of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) eligibility, it evaluates an individual claim using a 5-step process. One of the steps (specifically, the fourth step) in the process asks whether the individual can perform any of their past relevant work. When looking...
Applying for Social Security Benefits in Fort Lauderdale
Social Security Disability Benefits Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits can be a lifeline for those who need them. While it is not pleasant to think about, the reality is that the average 20-year-old worker has about a 1-in-4 chance of becoming disabled before he or she reaches retirement age. If...