Disability Secrets

Your Ability to do SGA and Applying for Disability

By Tim Moore on October 24, 2010 7:18 PM | Permalink Someone recently asked this question on facebook: "How is your ability to work related to applying for disability?"  An integral part of the Social Security disability process is an individual'€™s ability to perform substantial gainful activity (SGA). SGA is a monthly earnings amount that Social Security considers to be equivalent to substantial work activity. Translation: if you can work and earn on a monthly basis whatever the SGA amount has been determined to be in a given year, you won't be considered disabled by the social security administration. Note: the SGA amount is subject to change each year (for the current amount, go here: social security disability, ssi, and substantial gainful activity). Basially, if a person has a medically determinable physical or mental impairment and this condition (or set of conditions) has prevented them from working and earning the SGA amount for twelve months, or is expected to prevent them from performing SGA for twelve months or result in death, they should file an application for Social Security disability.

Social Security Disability Resource Sections

1. Social Security Disability Advice Page
2. Social Security Disability Tips
3. Social Security Disability Questions
4. Social Security Disability How to page
5. SSDI, SSI and Medical Impairments
6. Articles on SSI, SSDI
7. Social Security Disability Myths
8. More SSDI SSI Questions and Answers
9. SSDI SSI Definitions
10. Disability Examiner FAQ
11. Social Security Disability Mistakes
12. Social Security Disability Mental Claims
13. Social Security Disability Hearings
14. SSDI SSI Lawyer Questions

Social Security Disability Posts and Pages

• Will I get medicare or medicaid with my disability benefits if I am approved?
• Social security disability SSI and filing based on cancer
• Social Security Disability Hearing advice
• Preparing for a social security disability hearing
• Social Security Disability and Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Social security disability SSI and seizure disorder, seizures and epilepsy
• How long does it take to get a letter if you get approved for disability?

The Best and Worst Managed States in the Country

By Tim Moore on October 18, 2010 11:43 AM | Permalink If you're curious as to how your particular state is standing with regard to its credit rating and how it is being run, then you might find the following link interesting. How could this information be useful? A number of ways. It could tell where you should not consider moving, where you should not consider buying municipal bond funds, where taxes might be going up because the state is strapped for cash, where homes might be a better buy, you name it. The Best and Worst Run States In America: A Survey of All Fifty

Disability Attorneys and Doctor Letters

By Tim Moore on October 16, 2010 12:52 PM | Permalink Those who obtain legal representation in a Social Security Disability (SSD) matter certainly hope that their attorney will do the best possible job advocating their case. And yet, it’s disheartening how many disability attorneys fail their clients by not requesting that physicians fill out a residual functional capacity (RFC) form in support of their claim. An RFC form can be the deciding factor in whether a claimant is approved or turned down for SSD/SSI benefits, and can certainly be critical to a disability examiner or judge’s understanding of how an impairment limits a person’s ability to work. While it is true that all Social Security disability cases are decided based on medical evidence, in many cases the medical records alone are not enough to prove disability. This is because medical records, even doctors’ notes and hospital discharge summaries, usually reflect only symptoms, diagnosis, perhaps how long the impairment may be expected to last, but not exactly how an impairment prevents the patient from performing a current job or any other work. An RFC form is often really a simple check-off list that a physician can easily fill out in about 20 minutes or less. It lists activities such as standing, lifting, concentration, memory function, etc., and all the physician has to do is indicate the activities that the claimant’s impairment prevents him or her from performing. Without an RFC, those who are make disability decisions may determine that, although a severe medical condition exists, the applicant (or the attorney) has failed to prove that the impairment prevents participation in substantial gainful activity. Substantial gainful activity, SGA, is the dollar amount that Social Security considers enough to disqualify you for SSD/SSI (if you work) since it equates with an income that is capable of supporting you. If it is determined that you can earn the SGA amount, you will be turned down for benefits. Federal disability benefits are awarded only to those who can prove both a severe impairment and an inability to work and earn an income that supports them, as a result of that impairment, for a period of not less than one year. Unfortunately, there are some physicians who refuse to take the time to fill out an RFC. Some consider it an annoyance, and some are opposed to becoming involved in disability cases on principal (if this is your physician’s view, do yourself a favor and find a more compassionate doctor). However, if your disability attorney fails to even request an RFC form from your physician(s), it may be that be sure that your attorney is at best providing representation that falls short.

Social Security Disability Resource Sections

1. Social Security Disability Advice Page
2. Social Security Disability Tips
3. Social Security Disability Questions
4. Social Security Disability How to Apply or File
5. SSDI, SSI and Medical Impairments
6. Articles on SSI, SSDI
7. Social Security Disability Myths
8. More SSDI SSI Questions and Answers
9. SSDI SSI Definitions
10. Disability Examiner FAQ
11. Social Security Disability Mistakes
12. Social Security Disability Mental Claims
13. Social Security Disability Hearings
14. SSDI SSI Lawyer Questions

Social Security Disability Posts and Pages

• Social security disability SSI and filing based on cancer
• Social Security Disability Claim was Denied, Should I reapply?
• Entitlement to Disability means verifying what you say is true (and that means medical records)
• What is the Maximum You Can Earn While Applying For Social Security Disability?
• If social security denies a disability benefits claim
• How much you can get in social security disability benefits
• Will I get medicare or medicaid with my disability benefits if I am approved?
• Eligibility for SSI disability benefits
• Differences between VA disability and Social Security Disability
• Disability claim status
• Planning ahead financially for your Social Security Disability or SSI claim
• What is the difference between fully favorable and partially favorable?
• Disabled children and disability benefits
• If the SSD doctor agrees with my doctor will I be approved for disability?
• Filing for social security disability or SSI based on back pain
• The disability hearing decision
• HOW TO APPLY FOR SSI
• Qualifying for Disability with Fibromyalgia

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