This summer, the Social Security Administration (SSA) issued a warning for seniors with dementia and their loved ones to watch out for scams that may target them. These scam artists recognize the vulnerability of people with dementia, and may take advantage of them by trying to steal their money or Social Security benefits. By taking certain precautions, you can help protect your loved ones from fraud and other forms of financial exploitation, keeping their money for themselves. Continue reading “SSA Issues Scam Warning For Seniors With Dementia”
Category: Social Security Law
SSA Adds 12 New Disabilities to Compassionate Allowances List
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced it will be adding 12 new medical conditions to its “Compassionate Allowances” list. These conditions are severe medical conditions that are often permanently disabling, if not life-threatening. By adding these conditions to this list, it will make it significantly easier for people with certain severe disabilities to be able to access Social Security disability benefits.
Continue reading “SSA Adds 12 New Disabilities to Compassionate Allowances List”
What is the CPI-W, and Why Does it Matter?
If you have looked into Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) it is possible you may have heard of the CPI-W. In fact, the CPI-W is essential for understanding how much you are likely to receive from your SSDI or SSI payments. But what exactly is the CPI-W, and why might it matter to you as an SSDI or SSI recipient?
Continue reading “What is the CPI-W, and Why Does it Matter?”
Five Medical Reasons You May Be Denied SSDI/SSI Benefits
If you are applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) then you likely are suffering from some kind of severe medical issue. However, many applicants who seek SSDI/SSI benefits wind up having their application denied for medical reasons. Here are five common medical reasons you may have your SSDI or SSI application denied:
Continue reading “Five Medical Reasons You May Be Denied SSDI/SSI Benefits”
Five Common Types of Disabilities Seen in SSDI Applications
Every year, millions of people apply to the Social Security Administration (SSA) for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. However, some types of disabilities are seen much more often than others when it comes to SSDI and SSI applications. Here are five of the most common types of disabilities seen in SSDI applications:
Continue reading “Five Common Types of Disabilities Seen in SSDI Applications”
Seven Ways COVID May Result in Long-Term Disability
For many people who suffer from a COVID-19 infection, the disease alone can be difficult enough to deal with. However, many people infected by this disease have found themselves dealing with “Long COVID,” a set of symptoms that can persist for months or years afterwards. Here are seven ways a COVID infection may result in a long-term disability:
Continue reading “Seven Ways COVID May Result in Long-Term Disability”
Five Ways People Risk Losing Disability Benefits
If you are currently receiving disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA), then you may think your worries are over. However, it is entirely possible to lose your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, even after you have been approved for them. Here are five ways that people can risk losing disability benefits:
Continue reading “Five Ways People Risk Losing Disability Benefits”
Five Signs You May Be Eligible For SSDI or SSI
Every year, millions of people apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), but only a relatively small number succeed in obtaining benefits. Part of this is due to people not understanding the criteria you must meet before you can qualify for SSDI or SSI. Here are five signs you may be eligible for SSDI or SSI benefits:
Continue reading “Five Signs You May Be Eligible For SSDI or SSI”
Five Things You Need to Know About SSDI Work Credits
If you want to apply for Social Security Disability Income (SSDI), you need to make sure you need to have a sufficient amount of work credits to qualify. However, not everyone understands what work credits are, or how you know if you have enough. That is why you should make sure you know these five things about work credits before you apply for SSDI benefits:
- The number of work credits you need may vary based on age
- For anyone 31 years old or older, you need to have 40 credits to be able to access SSDI benefits, 20 of which need to have been earned in the last ten years before you applied for disability benefits. However, people between the ages of 24 and 30 can qualify by having enough credits for half the time between when you turned 21 and when you applied for disability benefits. People under the age of 24 can qualify for SSDI with just six credits in the three years before they applied for disability benefits.
- You earn work credits by working and paying taxes
- The way you earn work credits is by earning money via employment or self-employment, which you then pay Social Security taxes on. This means you must either be working as an employee or an independent contractor, or you must be paid income through your own business. The amount of credits you earn is dependent on how much money you make, although most people with regular employment will easily make the maximum number of credits they can earn per year.
- You can earn up to four work credits per year
- You can earn four credits per year, one per financial quarter. As of 2023, one work credit represents $1,640 in covered earnings per financial quarter, or $6,560 for the year. This means that if you earned $6,560 or more for the year, you will get the full four credits for the purposes of qualifying for SSDI.
- You can earn all of your work credits for a year all at once
- That being said, you do not need to be paid that income evenly throughout the year. So long as you make the necessary amount during the year, it will count towards the work credits you receive. For example, if you are unemployed for three of the four fiscal quarters, but receive $7,000 in income for the last fiscal quarter of the year, you will still get the benefit of all four credits.
- Even if you don’t have enough work credits, you may have other options
- If you do not have a sufficient number of work credits, that does not mean you cannot get access to disability benefits. For example, you may be still eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). However, to know what may work for you, the best thing you can do is speak to a lawyer with experience handling disability benefits claims, who can help you through the process.
If you or a loved one need assistance applying for SSDI or SSI benefits, it is important that you seek the guidance of an experienced Social Security Disability benefits lawyer. The lawyers at Sullivan & Kehoe, LLP have over 50 years of combined experience between its attorneys and are available to you or your loved one in obtaining Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income benefits. To schedule a consultation with our New York Social Security Disability benefits lawyers, call (631) 823-7155.
Economists Predict Drop in COLA to 3.1% Next Year
In 2023, recipients of Social Security benefits, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) saw a record Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) of 8.7%. This was the largest increase in the COLA since 1981, a significant increase in the amount of money they received. However, economists are forecasting a much more modest increase of 3.1% this year, as economic conditions begin to settle.
Continue reading “Economists Predict Drop in COLA to 3.1% Next Year”
