According to the last census, as many as 56 million Americans have a disability. More than half of those individuals are dealing with a severe disability which seriously impacts or negates their ability to work on a full-time and competitive basis. I have often pointed out that about one third of the general population…
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Increasingly, we hear more and more about PTSD as our veterans return from overseas. However, PTSD as a psychological diagnosis is not unique to combat veterans. Anyone who has suffered a severe personal trauma may develop PTSD. I have represented soldiers, marines, first responders, and victims rape, child abuse,…
Depression and Bipolar Disorder Depression is a form of mental illness that can often lead to a person becoming disabled depending on the length, intensity and severity of the condition. Depression affects more than 15 million American adults, or about 6.7 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year. Persistent depressive disorder, or…
Attorney Fees In Social Security Claims How Do Social Security Disability Lawyers Get Paid Their Attorney Fee? 99% of Social Security disability claims whether they be SSDI (Title II – Social Security Disability Insurance) or SSI (Title XVI – Supplemental Security Income are handled on a contingency basis. The Social Security Administration will pay your…
Obesity – Its Killing Us I keep a copy of the 1999 Social Security statute in my library because it is the last year that the Social Security Administration listed disability as a disabling condition in and of itself. Over the years, the Social Security Administration has done away with the Listings for obesity because…
Moving my office effective January 1, 2016! I will be moving my office effective January 1, 2016. My phone number (727) 343-3434, fax number (727) 592-1969, e-mail address ssaatty@gmail.com, and mailing address – P.0. Box 12286, St. Petersburg, FL 33733 shall remain the same. After January 1, 2016 appointments will be held at: 3601 1st…
Can I work and collect Social Security disability benefits ? SSDI and SSI income limits. Generally, a claimant can continue to work and collect disability benefits. Social Security (SSA) allows a claimant receiving social security disability income (SSDI) a trial work period (TWP) of up to nine months earning $810 per month or more before…
My doctor says I am disabled! Proving that someone is disabled under Social Security’s guidelines generally pivots around one’s age, education, past work history, prior relevant work experience and the physical and mental limitations under consideration. Often, clients come to me saying “my doctor says I am disabled!” However, disability claims are predicated upon medical…
The “demonization of disability recipients” http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/01/07/1356086/-Republicans-Move-To-Gut-Social-Security-Benefits-on-Their-First-Day-in-Power# Unfortunately, a concerted effort is underway in Congress to defund Title II (SSDI) and Title XVI (SSI) of the Social Security Act. We, as citizens, must let our elected representatives know that we will not stand idle and allow them to gut the one social program that serves as…
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) aka Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) also known as Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) also known as Causalgia also known as Reflex Neurovascular Dystrophy (RND) Social Security disability benefits (SSD or SSI) can be available for this sometimes chronic condition when it doesn’t go away within 12…