Advocates for the disabled are watching the current federal budget process closely amid increasing evidence that cuts to some of the nation’s most critical social programs are on the agenda in Washington. Last year, Social Security spending reached more than $2.5 trillion for the first time, accounting for 60 percent…
When it comes to your Massachusetts disability claim, what you post on social media could be used against you. The New York Times is reporting Uncle Sam is taking an increasing interest in what those who are receiving federal assistance are posting to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other social media…
Rather than reduce the 1.5 year wait for a Social Security Disability Hearing, the Social Security Administration is adding a step to the application process that is expected to add six months to the wait time for most applicants. More than 43,000 applicants await a Social Security Disability hearing in…
We continue to hear a lot about agism in the workforce. Major companies commonly skirt laws aimed at protecting older workers from age-based discrimination. It seems with every downsizing we see a steady stream of “institutional knowledge” leave the workforce after decades of service, only to be replaced by younger,…
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this month in a landmark case that could impact the government’s ability to use vocational experts to determine disability. It’s a critical issue with the potential to impact thousands of disabled adults mired in the lengthy fight for the benefits to which they are…
Determining your rights after a disabling injury can seem an unsurmountable task, particularly when health concerns, rehabilitative care and family finances are the priorities. Still, it’s a struggle far too many adults must deal with each year in this country. Nationwide, statistics show 1 in 4 20-year-old employees will miss…
Investopedia reports the average Social Security Disability Insurance benefit next year is expected to be $1,234, little changed from this year. Still, Congress is once again aiming drastic cuts and benefit reductions at the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Social Security Income (SSI) programs. The Hill recently reported Rep. Todd…
The Social Security Administration has announced the edition of five conditions to its Compassionate Allowances program. The five new health conditions added to CAL are: Fibrolamellar Cancer Megacystis Microcolon Intestinal Hypoperistalsis Syndrome (MMIHS) Megalencephaly Capillary Malformation Syndrome (MCAP) Superficial Siderosis of the Central Nervous System Tetrasomy 18p Fibrolamellar Cancer is a…
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are supposed to be available for any worker who has paid into the system through withholdings in their paycheck, or through payment of quarterly taxes, and then becomes disabled in a manner that it makes it very difficult to continue workers. If the disabling…
When the Social Security Administration (SSA) was first created, it was done to provide retirement benefits to workers who had earned money and paid into the system for their whole working lives, and then needed income on which they could retire. This was a valuable program, which has helped millions…