In-Depth Articles Archives - Disability Specialists

Are there other benefits to receiving Social Security Disability?

July 26, 2019 by Disability Specialists

Disability Specialists

Everyone talks about the monthly cash stipend from Social Security, but are there non-monetary benefits after being approved for Social Security Disability? The answer is yes. After you are approved for Social Security Disability, several additional benefits can be accessed. Here is a list of some non-monetary benefits for…

Advocating for the Disabled Community on the National Stage

May 9, 2019 by Disability Specialists

Disability Specialists

Advocating for the Disabled Community on the National Stage; current initiatives by the National Association for Disability Representatives (NADR) In April, I spent time in San Antonio, Texas with a couple of hundred other NADR members whom I consider family. We spent three days collaborating and tackling several areas of concern regarding…

Is my child eligible for Social Security Disability?

April 4, 2019April 4, 2019 by Disability Specialists

Disability Specialists

Low-income disabled children may qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits through Social Security. There are many costs involved in caring for a disabled child. These include transportation to medical appointments (which often include longer commutes for specialty care), medications, special mobility equipment, therapy, etc. Income from SSI benefits helps…

What to expect at the hearing.

January 4, 2019January 4, 2019 by Disability Specialists

Disability Specialists

To have a hearing with an administrative law judge, an individual must have been denied at the initial level and reconsideration level and then filed a Request for Hearing. The hearings are typically scheduled in the order that they are received and as an administrative law judge and a date/time…

My Hearing Is Scheduled: Who will be present? What should I expect?

November 9, 2018November 9, 2018 by Disability Specialists

Disability Specialists

Your hearing has been scheduled. Instead of wondering when your hearing will take place, you are now wondering, “Who is going to be asking me questions? What are they going to ask?” Every case is different. There are a number of factors that determine what questions will be asked, including…

How long does the Social Security disability process take?

September 18, 2018 by Disability Specialists

Disability Specialists

The answer is dependent on a number of factors. Most significantly, the length of the process depends on what level an individual is at when they receive their final determination. Additionally, the workload and backlog of the federal office processing their claim can be a factor. It is important to…

What does it mean now that Congress has passed a spending bill with a funding increase for the Social Security Administration?

May 29, 2018May 29, 2018 by Disability Specialists

Disability Specialists

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has faced funding difficulties for quite some time. Some estimates indicate the Administration saw an 11% cut since 2010 after adjusting for inflation. Over this time the number of retirement and disability beneficiaries is reported to have increased by approximately 7 million individuals. The years…

Why was I denied Social Security Disability?

March 19, 2018March 12, 2018 by Disability Specialists

Disability Specialists

It can be very difficult to be approved for Social Security Disability benefits. These are some common reasons for denial: Lack of a firm diagnosis: Sometimes claimants complain of symptoms but file applications for disability before receiving a firm diagnosis. Social Security cannot assess a person’s symptoms without an actual…

Why would I choose a Disability Representative over a lawyer?

March 12, 2018March 12, 2018 by Disability Specialists

Disability Specialists

We, at Disability Specialists, strive to deliver the best customer service possible. When you call our office, you will reach a live person. Every effort is made to answer your question without putting you through to voicemail. Disability Specialists can help you with your claim at every step of the…