Bethany K. Laurence

Bethany K. Laurence

Attorney · UC Law San Francisco

Bethany Laurence is a Senior Legal Editor at Nolo, where she has worked since 1997. She holds a J.D. from UC Law San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings) and is a member of the California Bar. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in English from Boston University. 

Disability law. At Nolo, Bethany edits the Social Security, Medicare, and disability content, and she is the managing editor of the DisabilitySecrets website. She also edits the books Nolo's Guide to Social Security Disability; The Complete IEP Guide, and Social Security, Medicare, and Government Pensions. Bethany is a member of NOSSCR (National Organization of Social Security Claims Representatives).

Business law. Bethany has also combined her legal and financial expertise to edit many Nolo small business books, such as LLC or Corporation and How to Form an LLC, and is the lead editor for Nolo’s online LLC and corporation services. Over the years she has co-written several business books, including Business Buyout Agreements: Plan Now for Retirement, Death, Divorce or Owner Disagreements; Save Your Small Business: 10 Crucial Strategies to Survive Hard Times or Close Down & Move On; and Bankruptcy for Small Business Owners: How to File for Chapter 7. 

Other pursuits. In addition to her work at Nolo, Bethany co-founded several educational nonprofit organizations, including River Montessori Charter School and Red Barn Montessori, and served on their boards of directors. She most recently served on the board of the Magnet Program Foundation of Hillcrest Middle School. In the past, Bethany has volunteered her time at a disability law clinic in the Tenderloin district of San Francisco.  

Originally from Rhode Island, Bethany enjoys reading and hiking in the redwoods of northern California.

Articles By Bethany K. Laurence

Short-Term Disability Benefits Available From State Governments
Short-term disability benefits are not available from Social Security or elsewhere in the federal government. If you are disabled less than a year, you can't collect Social Security disability or SSI.
Hawaii's Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) Program
Hawaii offers short-term disability for employees who can't work for a variety of reasons, including pregnancy.
Applying for Disability at Age 55-59: Social Security's Grid Rules
Disability applicants over the age of 55 have an easier time getting Social Security benefits thanks to the grid rules.
Social Security's Compassionate Allowances List
Certain serious and easily provable conditions are eligible for expedited approval through the Compassionate Allowances program.
New Jersey Short-Term Disability and Pregnancy
New Jersey's TDI program provides wage replacement to employees who can't work due to a non-work-related disability, including pregnancy.
New York's Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) for Illness and Pregnancy
New York has a state temporary disability program that pays employees who are unable to work due to pregnancy, and childbirth.
How to Get Long-Term Disability Benefits
If you have a long-term disability policy, you may be eligible to continue receiving most of your salary in the event you become unable to work.
Financial Assistance While Waiting on Disability
There is help available while you're waiting for Social Security disability or SSI, but you have to piece it together.
Rhode Island Short-Term Disability and Pregnancy
Rhode Island has a temporary disability insurance program (TDI) and a paid family leave program (TCI).
Social Security Disability Rules and Requirements for Adults
There are rules on both medical eligibility and financial eligibility for disability benefits.