Before submitting an application for disability in California, it is important to understand first what Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is, along with the important differences between California State Disability and Social Security disability. Because SSDI is a federal benefit that is administered by a federal agency, the rules that apply to an application submitted in California are the same as an application filed in Florida. SSDI in California: An Overview The Social Security Administration (SSA) is a federal agency that administers the disability and retirement programs ..read more

Did you know that those who are eligible for disability benefits and face a financial emergency may be eligible for a one-time payment from the Social Security Administration (SSA)? A one-time payment can be made more quickly than usual in certain circumstances to individuals who qualify. These one-time payments are made before the SSA makes the ultimate determination regarding disability eligibility. In all cases where an emergency or advanced payment is warranted, the claimant is either entitled to disability (the SSA already made a favorable disability determination) or they are presump ..read more

Understanding the Unfavorable Decision After you attend a hearing with an administrative law judge (ALJ), the judge will issue a written decision. This written decision summarizes your medical record and past relevant work, and explains your severe impairments and their effect on your ability to work. The decision will also contain an analysis of whether or not you can still perform your past work or do any other type of work in the national economy. The ALJ’s decision is based on an in-depth examination of your case, considering all pieces of evidence and arguments presented. The ALJ’s dec ..read more

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is a federal agency that administers disability and retirement programs to millions of Americans every year. Currently, there are over 66 million people receiving benefits from the SSA.. If you are not receiving Social Security benefits, you likely know someone who does.  Those who cannot work due to a disability may be eligible for relief in the form of a monthly payment from Social Security. The disability program provides a critical lifeline to injured or disabled workers, bridging the gap between a worker’s disability onset date and their r ..read more

Navigating the labyrinth of the Social Security disability claims process can be daunting, especially when faced with an unfavorable decision from an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). However, the pathway to justice does not end here. Claimants are empowered with the right to appeal such decisions, a critical step that can alter the course of their claims. This appeal, directed towards the Appeals Council, is a beacon of hope for many seeking a reversal of fortune. And yet, the journey may extend further, as denials by the Appeals Council pave the way for litigation in Federal Court. Here, th ..read more

Understanding the Exam and Your Rights During the disability process, the Social Security Administration may schedule a Consultative Examination. A consultative examination is conducted by a provider that SSA contracts with. Consultative Examinations are not required with every application but do occur in a substantial number of cases. If your disability claim involves any mental health impairments, the Social Security Administration may schedule a Mental Exam to assess your mental health impairments and their impact on your ability to work. If an examination is scheduled, you may ask for ..read more

The Social Security system represents a perfect opportunity for scammers. As more Social Security agency business is conducted online and over the phone, scammers can capitalize on these electronic methods to steal beneficiaries’ hard-earned money. And with over 66 million Social Security beneficiaries, scammers have unfortunately begun to focus on beneficiaries as lucrative targets. This article will discuss common Social Security scams and how to spot them. With the proper background and education, you can easily spot a Social Security scam and learn how to avoid them.  What Do Soci ..read more

While you can collect unemployment while on Social Security disability or while applying for Social Security disability, it’s important to understand how the two programs are related, and to be aware of the potential pitfalls with collecting both benefits simultaneously. This article will discuss the interaction between the receipt of unemployment benefits and Social Security disability benefits. Understanding Unemployment Benefits Unemployment benefits are funds provided by the government or authorized bodies to individuals who have lost their jobs involuntarily. The main aim is to prov ..read more

The Family and Medical Leave Act(FMLA) is a federal law that provides job-protected leave to eligible employees for personal medical reasons or to care for a family member. The FMLA allows eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave in a 12-month period. During that time, your employer must protect your job and access to your group health benefits while you are on leave. The main purpose of the act is to help employees balance their work and family responsibilities by allowing them to take reasonable unpaid leave for certain family and medical reasons. Not all people are eligible for ..read more

What Is Long-Term Disability Insurance? Long-term disability (LTD) insurance is a private insurance benefit that replaces your income if you are disabled and unable to work. You can get LTD insurance from your workplace or directly from an insurance company. Each long-term disability insurance policy provides different coverage and has different definitions for partial, full, and catastrophic disabilities. The duration of these benefits varies, but they typically kick in after a waiting period (usually several months) and can last until the disability ends, the individual retires, or for a s ..read more