Boston SSDI lawyer

July 9, 2016

Successfully Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance

Successful application of Social Security Disability Insurance benefits is a multi-pronged process. It can seem daunting to many people, and in truth, it can be a tedious, drawn-out process.

The good news is that with an experienced Boston SSDI attorney, it can be a much less arduous journey.

Still, there are some things you should understand about the process, given that the Social Security Administration reportedly received almost 2.7 million applications to the program in 2013 and coffers are expected to dry up by 2022, unless an alternate funding source is identified. That means the agency is growing increasingly choosy with who it approves. In fact, only about 36 percent of claims filed between 2004 and 2013 were approved. Of those:

25 percent were approved on initial claim;
2 percent were approved on appeal;
11 percent were approved at hearings.

July 6, 2016

Boston SSDI and Taxes: What You Need to Know

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Most Americans see their pay stubs every two weeks and take note of the chunk Uncle Sam takes out for Social Security each time. Because they have paid in to Social Security with their taxes, the thinking goes, they won’t be taxed yet again if they need to draw benefits from any of the Social Security systems.

Not so.

Well, usually not so. There are some situations in which Social Security benefits are taxable as income. One of the situations in which this is true is with Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). These benefits may sometimes be taxable, while SSI (Supplemental Security Income) benefits are never taxable. Continue reading

July 2, 2016

Who is Getting the Most from Social Security Disability?

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Last year, the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program was saved from immediate destruction when federal lawmakers gave the Ok for a temporary patch to keep the program going without going bankrupt. That was big news for the 11 million Americans currently on disability, who were facing a 20 percent reduction in their benefits.

But that patch, which involved moving around funding from the Social Security retirement program, is only going to last us through 2022. Before then, there will undoubtedly be much debate about the future of the program, how much we should continue to dole out in benefits and how we’re going to pay its current $150-billion annual price tag. Although it’s not the largest program intended to help subsidize those who are struggling financially, it’s one that receives the lion’s share of the criticism. Part of the problem is that most people don’t understand the rigorous and lengthy process that claimants must endure to prove their disability and also to establish a long enough work history. They don’t understand it’s a system that people had to have paid into via their federal taxes for many years before a claim can be made. And they don’t understand that the process is so complex and demanding, claimants need an SSDI lawyer to help them navigate it effectively.

The program was created to help workers who have become physically or mentally disabled, as well as their families, stay afloat financially. Although critics say the program is far too generous, you must keep in mind that the average benefits usually only work out to about $1,165 monthly. That’s about $14,000 a year. Continue reading