Articles Posted in The Benefits of a Lawyer’s Involvement

What can be one of the most difficult questions we can be asked is whether one should apply for unemployment benefits, both in the context of when one has already applied for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits or when one is considering an application for SSDI benefits.  The answer is very fact specific and we’ll attempt to provide you with some guidance that will hopefully allow you to answer such a questions.   Continue Reading ›

There are a number of different scenarios in which one will find Administrative Law Judges (ALJ’s) in Social Security disability claims consult with medical experts.  Understanding why such experts may be consulted and how their opinions may impact your case is important and can help relieve some of the stress involved with attending a hearing before an ALJ.  Continue Reading ›

In Part I, we discussed the role of the SSI program and how loans and gifts are treated differently by the Social Security Administration (SSA).  In Part II, we will discuss how one can financially assist a disabled claimant applying for or receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in a manner which will cause the least amount of reduction to their potential or ongoing SSI check so as to maximize the amount of financial assistance they are receiving.   Continue Reading ›

When applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) it is important to understand the difference between what is considered a loan and what is considered a gift: the two are treated vastly different by the Social Security Administration.  Likewise, when understanding the treatment of loans it is important to understand the difference between a cash loan and what is referred to by  SSA  as an “in kind” loan.   Continue Reading ›

Should it become necessary to proceed to a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), Social Security disability claimants will typically see from their notice of hearing that a Vocational Expert has been called to testify at hearing.  Understanding the role of the Vocational Expert (VE) at hearing goes hand in hand with understanding the hearing process generally and the process that the ALJ will go through in coming to a decision in their case.  Continue Reading ›

Over the course of more than twenty-six (26) years of assisting those applying for Social Security disability throughout Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, we have come across a number of recurring problems for those who contact our office claiming disability benefits for the condition “Fibromyalgia.”   With that in mind, here is the most common themes that seem to arrive and how they might be resolved.  Continue Reading ›

It might not seem as though it’s an important distinction to make, but when it comes time to pursuing a Social Security disability claim or appeal, the difference between one’s ability to sit for a length of time versus recline or lie down can turn a case on a dime: result in an unfavorable decision in what would otherwise be deemed a favorable decision.   These are the types of subtle distinctions that experienced Social Security disability lawyers should go over with their clients during the course of filling out the application materials so as to ensure that the Social Security Administration (SSA) has a clear sense of their functional abilities.   Continue Reading ›

An application for Social Security disability insurance benefits (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can assist with obtaining health insurance benefits in a number of different ways.   Whether it’s obtaining Medicaid Insurance (which is a Federal program administered by the states, and which is called Medicaid in New Hampshire, Mainecare in Maine and Mass Health in Massachusetts) or, ultimately Medicare (the Federal health insurance program that provides benefits not only to those who have hit retirement age, but also to certain qualified individuals who have been approved for SSDI Benefits, the potential additional benefit associated with an application for SSDI and SSI cannot be ignored.   Continue Reading ›

For those fortunate enough to have a Long Term Disability (LTD) plan and, thus a corresponding entitlement to a benefit payment through their employer in the event they become long term disabled from working, it will be necessary to look into a potential application for Social Security disability (SSD) benefits.  Understanding the interplay between the two programs, how they are similar and yet differ, and how an attorney can serve you in both of these processes with the cost being taken care of by your insurance carrier, is quite important.  Continue Reading ›

The waiting time for those who have requested a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge has only increased over the last few years.  While those in Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, that is, Region 1, were waiting the least amount of time when compared to the rest of the country, and were waiting approximately 1 year from time the request for hearing was submitted until such time as the hearing, the wait time can now be up to close to a year and a half.  Having a lawyer who understands under what circumstances your case might qualify for expedited processing can prove critical.   Continue Reading ›

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