Before We Talk About Your Disability…

By Barbara J. Artuso, Esq. Did you know that when you apply for Social Security Disability/Supplemental Security Income benefits, your medical condition is not the first issue that must be addressed? Instead, in order to receive disability benefits under one of these two programs administered by the federal government, financial eligibility must first be established. Even though…

All Disability Policies Are Not Created Equal

By Brian Patrick Bronson, Esq. In another article A Summary: Long Term and Short Term Disability, we discussed the connection between Social Security Disability and private disability insurance. This issue’s article will provide more information about private disability insurance coverage. Disability insurance is one of the most important forms of insurance that you can have because it protects you…

My Doctor Says I’m Disabled. Why Isn’t That Enough

By A. Tereasa Rerko, Esq. Our clients often ask, “My doctor says that I’m disabled. Why doesn’t Social Security approve my disability benefits?” We have to tell them that qualifying for Social Security Disability benefits is a much more complex process than simply having a doctor say the word “disabled.” The decision by the Social Security Administration (SSA)…

A Summary: Long-Term And Short-Term Disability

By Brian Patrick Bronson, Esq. As an employee, you may be entitled to various employee benefits from your employer. These benefits may include health insurance, family medical leave, short-term and long-term disability benefits, and sickness and accident benefits. However, these programs can be confusing at the time when you need them most — when you have suffered…

SSI and SSD – What’s The Difference?

By A. Tereasa Rerko, Esq. Quite often I am asked what the difference is between Social Security Disability (SSD) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Here is a quick overview of these two programs. SSD is a monthly income benefit for individuals who are disabled. An individual must meet the strict rules set up by the Social Security Administration (SSA)…

What’s The Connection Between Social Security Disability And Private Insurance?

By A. Tereasa Rerko, Esq. Many employers provide private disability insurance coverage for their employees. These policies provide disability benefits to employees who, for health reasons, are unable to work for extended periods of time. Some policies pay benefits immediately when an employee becomes unable to work, others may require a waiting period of six months…

Why Your Neighbor’s Sister’s Son Is Getting ‘Disability’ And You’re Not

By Barbara J. Artuso, Esq. If it seems to you that the Social Security Administration’s process for determining who is disabled is unpredictable and complicated, you’re correct. Sometimes a client, stung by initial denial of a claim, protests that “my neighbor’s sister’s son is getting disability benefits, and he’s in really good shape compared to…