Social Security Disability

About two-thirds of initial Social Security disability benefit claims receive a denial notice. Some people challenge their denial by requesting reconsideration, the first step in an appeals process, but the denial rate is 84%. If you received a denial notice after reconsideration, a hearing with an administrative law judge would be the next step in […]

Many people who have gone through it describe the Social Security disability benefits application process as a struggle. It doesn’t help that only about one-third of the claims are approved during the initial level of the process. It may help to understand the sequential evaluation Social Security puts your application through. Sackett and Associates, a […]

The evaluation process used by the Social Security Administration to determine whether someone has a disability and is unable to work includes age. Being older may give a person a slight advantage over a younger person. The disability team at Sackett and Associates wants you to have a better understanding of the complex process to […]

Social Security disability programs assist millions of people who cannot work because of disabling medical conditions. They do not, however, pay for short-term disabilities expected to last for less than a year. Workers in California have access to a state program that provides short-term wage-replacement benefits. A CA disability weekly benefit equal to a percentage […]

California is one of only five states that provide short-term disability benefits through a state-mandated program, the California State Disability Insurance (SDI). Workers can receive from 70-90% of what they earned before becoming disabled. SDI provides short-term benefits for up to 52 weeks. If you have a disability that prevents you from working for longer […]

You probably heard or read about the Social Security disability application process being difficult. Before you apply for disability benefits on your own, consider some statistics about the process. The Social Security Administration’s initial application review process denies benefits to 62% of applicants. A report by the General Accountability Office, a federal agency, revealed that […]

The initial review process denies benefits to 62% of those applying for Social Security disability benefits. Although some people give up, the appeals process offers four ways to challenge an unfavorable decision. The appeals process consists of four levels or steps, starting with a reconsideration appeal. If you choose to handle the reconsideration appeal without […]

People with COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, may experience shortness of breath and other breathing difficulties. Routine physical activities, such as caring for themselves and walking, become a struggle and could prevent them from continuing to work and earn a living. Social Security disability for COPD provides monthly benefits to ease the financial burden […]

A severe heart condition can make daily activities, including those related to working, difficult or impossible to do. If a heart problem prevents you from working, heart disability benefits through the Social Security Administration may be available as a financial resource.   According to an SSA report, approximately 11% of the applications it approves for […]

If you cannot work due to an injury or illness unrelated to work or to a pregnancy, California provides wage replacement benefits. California state disability insurance (SDI) provides short-term benefits equivalent to a percentage of your wages. California is one of only five states that provide short-term benefits. This article explores SDI to explain the […]