By Texas Social Security Disability Attorney, Jennifer Scherf-Cook When you are injured during the course of your employment, you may file a claim for worker’s compensation. Worker’s compensation will pay you lost wages while you are unable to … [Read more...]
Does your diagnosis have a big impact on whether or not you will be awarded Disability?
By Texas Social Security Disability Attorney, Jennifer Scherf-Cook Nearly 56% of all cases awarded disability by SSA involve claims of disability as a result of spinal issues. An almost identical number are awarded for claims based on affective or … [Read more...]
The 5 Steps of SS Disability Evaluation
By Jennifer Scherf Under the authority of the Social Security Act, the SSA has established a five-step sequential evaluation for determining whether an individual is disabled as that term is defined by SSA. (See 20 CFR 404.1520(a)). These steps must … [Read more...]
Retirement Age
By Jennifer Scherf The earliest age at which (reduced) Social Security retirement benefits are payable is 62. When you are eligible for full retirement benefits depends on what year you were born. People born before 1938 have what most consider … [Read more...]
Working While Applying For Disability Benefits
by Jennifer Scherf Many people believe that you cannot work if you are trying to get disability benefits. On the contrary, the Social Security Administration (SSA) encourages people to attempt to achieve gainful employment both during the … [Read more...]
Who Receives SSA Benefits?
By Jennifer Scherf Social Security was created by FDR in 1935 as a part of the New Deal plan. This program was created to assist aging workers in the post-depression-era economy. After many revisions, the original act has been expanded to include … [Read more...]
The Judiciary’s Role in Shaping SSA
By Jennifer Scherf Social Security was created by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1935 as a part of the New Deal plan. This program was created to assist aging workers in the post-depression era economy. After many revisions, the original … [Read more...]
Taking Care Of Those You Love = Dependent Benefits
by Jennifer Scherf There are special rules and additional benefits paid to your family if you pass away, but this article deals only with benefits paid to your family while you are still living. A spouse/ex-spouse can earn one-half of what the … [Read more...]
Does Race or Gender Play a Role in Disability?
by Jennifer Scherf Many people believe that race and/or gender play a role in disability determinations. This is absolutely not true. Age is a factor, but religion or the color of your skin is not considered by the Social Security Administration … [Read more...]
Getting Awarded for Disability — the Different Levels of Appeal
by Jennifer Scherf There are always exceptions, but in general it is very hard to prove you are entitled to Social Security Disability prior to a hearing. Initial Application: Time frame of three to four months The most recent statistics … [Read more...]
My Doctor Says I’m Disabled, Isn’t That Enough?
by Jennifer Scherf All the time I hear, “but my doctor says I’m disabled, isn’t that enough?” The answer is no. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is self-governing. This means that SSA gets to define what disability means, what the … [Read more...]
Your age and disability benefits.
There are a lot of factors considered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and an administrative law judge when determining whether or not you are disabled as that term is defined by SSA. Your age is just one of these factors. The rules as … [Read more...]