When your claim comes up for hearing, the Social Security Judge will go through a 5 step “sequential evaluation process” to decide whether you meet Social Security’s definition of disability. Step 1 Whether you are working and, if so, Whether the work the claimant is doing constitutes substantial gainful activity (SGA)....
Social Security Disability Appeals
You have the right to appeal any decision Social Security makes as to your entitlement to Social Security benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. The first step in the appeals process is called a reconsideration determination. You will receive a new decision by someone who had no part in...
Social Security Administrative Law Judges Pressured to Approve SSD Appeals
Recent reports have the Social Security Disability (SSD) Trust Fund going broke by 2016. A major factor behind this depletion of funds is the increase in SSD recipients. In 2003, 7.6 million disabled workers, spouses and children received SSD benefits. That figure is now close to 11 million. The House...
Social Security, Childhood Disability and HIV
The childhood disability rules apply to children from birth to age 18, although under certain circumstances, it can apply up to age 21. In any event, the onset of a disabling impairment must precede a child's 22nd birthday. In order to obtain Social Security benefits for a child, you must...