Manage Your Social Security Benefits Online

Posted by Stacy Thompson on Apr 6, 2021 11:43:45 AM

Did You Know You Can Manage Your Social Security Benefits Online?

With a free my Social Security account, you can take advantage of many convenient and secure services online, at www.ssa.gov/myaccount. Whether at home or on the go, you can use this account to complete most Social Security business online, without calling or requesting an appointment.

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Topics: Social Security Disability

Can I Work While On Social Security Disability?

Posted by Stacy Thompson on Feb 16, 2021 12:39:46 PM

If you're looking into applying for Social Security Disability, it can feel overwhelming and you may find yourself with a lot of questions. "What will the judge ask at my disability hearing?" is one that we hear often, and answered in a previous blog.

There's one more very common question we hear, and we'd like to take the time to answer that question for you today.

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Topics: Social Security Disability

My Social Security Disability Application Was Approved. Do I Need to Do Anything Else?

Posted by Stacy Thompson on Apr 13, 2020 5:08:39 PM

If your household has been scrambling to make ends meet after an illness or injury puts you, or a loved one out of work, having your SSDI application approved can feel like a real victory.

While a Social Security Disability approval can help you bridge the gap between treatment for your disability and when you can return to work, there are some obligations that you will have to the Social Security Administration that you'll need to keep in mind.

Some problems can occur even after your disability application was approved, and taking just a couple of steps can help you to avoid them.

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Topics: Social Security Disability

Is Social Security Disability Back Pay Taxable?

Posted by Stacy Thompson on Oct 23, 2018 8:59:22 AM

 

Most applications for Social Security Disability benefits are not immediately approved, and applicants may wait for two years for a final decision.

Even after approval, the backlog of cases in nearly every local Social Security Administration office means that some recipients don't receive their first payments until months or even a year after approval.

The upside to this unfortunate reality is that Social Security Disability benefits include back pay for most or all of that time spent waiting, in the form of a single lump sum. This sum can be substantial, depending on the amount of benefits approved.

Individuals who have received 'lump sum payments' in other situations have been dismayed to learn that their payments were taxed at a higher rate than they expected, or threw off their 'Annual Income' for the year and raised their tax bracket.

This may make the prospect of receiving a similar lump sum from the Social Security Administration a bit more stressful than it would be otherwise.

Is Social Security Disability back pay taxable?

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Topics: Social Security Disability

Can You Receive Social Security Disability for Hearing Loss?

Posted by Stacy Thompson on Jul 30, 2018 8:26:28 AM

When most people think of Social Security Disability, they generally picture people who fall into one of two categories:

  • adults who are no longer able to work due to a sudden disabling injury or illness
  • or people disabled at birth or in early childhood or young adulthood
However, there is a third category of people who may be eligible for Social Security Disability — those who suffer from a progressive disability that only gradually removes their ability to work.

Hearing loss is not always disabling, but in some cases previously-hearing people have lost the ability to maintain employment as their hearing loss worsens.

People suffering from disabling hearing loss may qualify for Social Security Disability payments to help make ends meet.

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Topics: Social Security Disability

Social Security Disability Changes in 2018: What You Need to Know

Posted by Stacy Thompson on Jan 24, 2018 9:18:36 AM

Social Security Disability Changes in 2018For 10 million Americans (according to the Social Security Administration), Social Security Disability helps to keep the lights on, the house warm, and food on the table.

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Topics: Social Security Disability

Steps To Take When You're Waiting on Your Social Security Disability Claim

Posted by Stacy Thompson on Dec 14, 2017 9:20:32 AM

Waiting on your Social Security Disability claim can seem endless. The average wait time nationally is two yearsThose who applied for SS Disability after becoming disabled through illness or injury are left feeling like they're underwater, with a lifeguard telling them to just wait two years for help to arrive.

There are a few steps you can take that may speed up the process (or at least make things a little less difficult) while waiting on the outcome of your Social Security Disability claim.

Let's take a look:

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Topics: Social Security Disability

Can Social Security Disability Benefits Be Garnished?

Posted by Allison Sullivan on Sep 14, 2017 1:03:58 PM

If you have been paying child support and become injured or disabled and unable to work, you may be facing a future where Social Security Disability is either your primary or even sole source of income.

When you have child support or alimony obligations, this can add a new weight of worry onto your mind — can Social Security Disability benefits be garnished to pay child support?

What does this mean for your household income moving forward? Can you work with the child's other parent through mediation or even in court to modify your child support obligations based on your new SSI or SSDI income?

Let's take a closer look.

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Topics: Social Security Disability

Can You Receive Social Security Disability for Invisible Disabilities?

Posted by Allison Sullivan on Jul 6, 2017 12:25:45 PM

Social Security Disability, intended to help those who find it hard or even physically impossible to support their households through employment due to injury or disease, can be difficult to gain access to.

On average, 55% of applicants are ultimately rejected. It can take nearly two years just to get a hearing.

Many of those with "invisible" disabilities — that is, disabling illnesses or injuries that are not immediately visible or apparent — find it even more strenuous and frustrating a process.

Having an "invisible" disability doesn't mean you can't still get access to the Social Security Disability benefits that will allow you to maintain your quality of life. Today, we'll take a look at these sometimes hard-to-prove disabilities and what you can do to fight for your individual rights when applying for SSD.

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Topics: Social Security Disability

New Book on Social Security Disability by BNTD's Own Stacy Thompson!

Posted by Allison Sullivan on Dec 29, 2016 2:32:47 PM

We've written a bit before on Social Security Disability and it is one of our main areas of practice.

We dedicate ourselves to representing our clients to the best of our ability when it comes to making sure their individual rights are represented while filing their SSD claims and during their SSA hearing.

We're proud to announce that our own Stacy Thompson has recently published a book on Social Security Disability cases!

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Topics: Social Security Disability, News