Although you may not have saved anything you've earned, you've slowly been making contributions toward your own retirement or disability support since your first job. Even when you were a part-time worker at the local ice cream shop back in high school, a portion of...
Social Security Disability
Can substance abuse prevent you from getting SSDI?
Millions of Americans suffer from substance abuse issues involving drugs and/or alcohol. While substance abuse can certainly be highly detrimental to a person’s health, it’s also possible to have a medical condition or disability that is unrelated to that problem. So...
How to answer when the ALJ asks, “Why can’t you work?”
When you have a Hearing with the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) coming up where you hope to successfully plead your case for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits, it helps to be prepared. Since the ALJ will already have your case file (with all your medical...
The role of medical evidence in your SSD case
If you're involved in a Social Security Disability case, perhaps because you're trying to get the benefits that you believe you deserve, the government has to agree that you are suffering from a long-term disability. This has to last for at least 12 months. You can...
Can cancer qualify you for SSDI benefits?
Finding out that you have cancer is probably one of the scariest experiences possible at a doctor's office. Cancer can kill you, although advances in modern medicine have drastically reduced cancer-related fatalities in recent decades. Even if treatment is...
How do I appeal an SSD denial?
Social Security Disability (SSD) is a federal benefits program that offers monthly payments to eligible individuals who are no longer able to work thanks to their health challenges. These payments can make all the difference when you are burdened by medical bills and...
How common are SSD wrongful denials?
The myth that there are a lot of able-bodied people sitting around collecting Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits has been around for a long time -- and there’s absolutely no truth to it. The vast majority of Social Security Disability applications are denied,...
Can you refuse medical treatment and still get SSDI?
You know it’s challenging to get a claim for Social Security Disability (SSDI) benefits approved, and you’re worried about a particularly thorny issue in your case: You haven’t followed your doctor’s treatment plan. Can you still obtain the benefits you need? The...
Can I fast-track my disability benefits application’s review?
Most Americans essentially live paycheck-to-paycheck, meaning that they can't afford to go unpaid for a week, let alone indefinitely. This is a reality that many people suffering from certain medical conditions or injuries face, though. Many Americans who count on...
As a COVID-19 ‘long-hauler,’ do I qualify for SSD benefits?
Most days, COVID-19 “long-haulers” struggle to do everyday activities. In some cases, they no longer have the strength or ability to work. The hindrances they face are many and frustrate long-haulers, who often continue to suffer from illnesses weeks and months after...