HUNTSVILLE DISABILITY GUIDE

With local award rates now at 38 percent for hearings, you don't have to work very hard to lose your Social Security disability hearing.  But there are many pitfalls that will almost guarantee that you won't get approved. Base your claim on something other than a severe medical or mental impairment (supported by evidence from a doctor).  For example, you say you got laid off, your job moved to Mexico, you had to care for a sick child or parent--all of which has nothing to do with a medical or mental impairment. Give conflicting testimony or evidence.  For instance, drawing unemployment benefits can send a conflicting message about when and whether you became disabled. Caring for children, pets or aging parents can send a confusing message.  Even vacations can be used to create a lack of credibility about disability.  (You must be truthful but be prepared to explain such things and put them in context). Failure to get medical treatment.  If you can't afford medical tre

Only a few years ago, the local disability hearing office was approving around 50 percent of claims that came up for hearings.  We call those the good old days .  Today, the local award rate is around 38 percent, the lowest in the history of the Social Security disability program.  It's part of a national trend. The plunge in award rates should not discourage you from appealing your Social Security denial if you truly feel you are unable to work because of a serious mental or physical impairment.  It should make you more savvy and more careful, however, as you fight to win your benefits.   If you are not represented you need to research the requirements for Social Security disability benefits.  You have to know what must be proven in order to win.  Don't leave anything to chance--hoping that everything will just work out right.  It probably won't.  There is the truth you can prove and the truth you can't prove.  Set out to achieve the truth with proof.  It's cal

Here's one from our question bag.  We hope it helps someone with a similar question.   "I am confused.  I've been told I can't qualify for Social Security disability benefits because I never worked.  Yet, I know people who never worked who are getting disability benefits from Social Security.  What's the story?" The truth is that the Social Security Administration administers two different disability programs and each has different requirements. One program is called Title 2, or simply "Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)."  These benefits are available only to workers who have accumulated a sufficient number of "quarters of coverage" by working and paying FICA taxes into the Social Security Disability Trust Fund.  Generally, an individual would need to have earned about 10 quarters of coverage out of the most recent 20 quarters to be "insured" or covered.  That might be different for younger workers.  But certainly

The Forsythe Firm (256) 799-0927 wants to be sure that Huntsville area veterans know about Social Security benefits that could add up to $2,660 per month to their disability income program. Would an additional $2,660 per month help out with your disability income / military retirement arrangement?   It is too much money to ignore. Since 1954, members of all branches of the US military have been covered by the  Social Security Act.  Veterans have paid thousands of dollars into the Social Security trust fund and are covered for disability--whether or not it is directly related to military service. If you are a disabled veteran you may qualify for up to $2,660 in federal Social Security disability benefits, and you may qualify for payments even while you are receiving active duty military pay.  The key factor is that you are disabled , not that you are still receiving military pay. Social Security benefits are in addition to any VA benefits you may receive.  (You can get both VA a

Huntsville (Redstone) veterans with a 100 percent disability rating can qualify for expedited decisions from Social Security.  Contact the Forsythe Firm (256) 799-0297 for more information. How does this expedited disability service help disabled veterans?  The normal application process for a disability claim at Social Security is about 4 months.  That's just for the initial decision. In 80 percent of all cases, the decision then has to be appealed--which can take 18 additional months. However, certain disabled veterans may qualify for expedited decisions. Wounded warriors with 100 percent and permanent VA disability awards get faster decisions and faster benefits than average claimants under the current regulations. Here are some other "quick facts" to note about Veterans and Social Security disability: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are in addition to VA benefits. Veterans can get SSDI even while receiving active duty pay, if they are dis