Social Security Disability

The Social Security Administration compiled a listing of impairments, commonly called the “Blue Book,” of medical conditions severe enough to qualify as disabling under the definition used to determine eligibility for disability benefits. High blood pressure is not a listed impairment, but medical documentation of your condition and other evidence may prove that you cannot […]

When you cannot work because of a disabling medical condition, the financial stress becomes overwhelming. Disability benefits through Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income make life somewhat easier, but the initial waiting period for disability approval could be six to eight months. If you must appeal a denied claim, the waiting period for […]

Pregnancy signals the beginning of a new chapter in your life filled with plans for the baby’s arrival. You have much to do to prepare, from assembling a crib and other baby furniture to picking out paint colors or wallpaper for the nursery. Don’t forget to set aside time to plan for the financial impact […]

Severe depression and other mental health conditions can be more challenging to prove than physical conditions. An X-ray or blood test will not reveal the presence of a severe depression psychiatric disability. Instead, doctors resort to assessing a patient’s symptoms and other methods to diagnose the condition and its severity. Obtaining disability benefits for any […]

Life goes on during the six to eight months it generally takes to process your application for disability benefits. For instance, the name you put on the application may not match the name you now use. A name change caused by marriage, divorce, or any other reason must be reported to the Social Security Administration. […]

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health condition caused by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Although commonly associated with soldiers during wartime, PTSD can affect anyone exposed to a violent crime, natural disaster, serious accident, or other traumatic event. Not everyone exposed to a traumatic event develops PTSD. Currently, about 10% of women and […]

If thinking of the Social Security Administration brings to mind disability and retirement programs, you’d be only partially correct. A survivor benefits program provides support for a deceased worker’s spouse, children, and dependent parents. Sackett and Associates, the premier disability law firm assisting people throughout Northern California and nationwide with disability and other Social Security […]

Depression is a serious mental health condition affecting how a person thinks, acts, and reacts to situations, places, and people. Approximately 29% of adults in the United States will be diagnosed with depression at some point during their lives. The symptoms of depression affect each person differently and range from mild to severe. Treatment options, […]

When a severe disability prevents you from working, monthly benefit payments from the Social Security Administration become essential. If your Social Security payment changes, do not ignore it. There are several reasons for a reduced Social Security Disability check, including some that you can challenge through an appeal if you act quickly. This blog from […]

Disability benefits paid through the Social Security Disability Insurance program convert to retirement benefits when you reach full retirement age. The primary purpose of the SSDI program has always been to provide disabled workers with early access to their retirement benefits by letting them apply for Social Security Disability. Although you generally cannot apply for […]