The process of trying to get disability can often be a long and frustrating one. Having an experienced disability attorney can help you avoid unnecessary delays and can improve your odds of being successful. The average length of time that it takes to get disability is approximately a year and a half. However, sometimes people are awarded disability in a few months and sometimes it can take over three years. The information below explains the general procedural process for getting disability. Application Stage The first step to obtaining disability is filing an application. It is advisable tha ..read more

Social Security disability and SSI? The answer to this question is yes. However, it depends on how much your monthly Social Security Disability payment is. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a form of disability for those with low income and resources. SSD (Social Security Disability) is a payment that is based upon your tax record. The maximum SSI payment in 2024 is $943 per month. Payments under SSD (on your tax record) can range between as little as $100 per month up to about $3800 per month. This is all based on the amount of Social Security taxes that you have paid throughout your life ..read more

Social Security Disability or SSI and Retirement You cannot get Social Security Disability (on your tax record) if you allege to have become disabled after your full retirement age. Full retirement age will be 67 for those born in 1960 and later. Full retirement age is between age 66 and 67 for those born between 1943 and 1959. Please note that there could be a difference as to when you are applying for disability versus when you are alleging disability. Additionally, please be advised that disability (SSD-on your tax record) can be paid up to one year before your application date in many inst ..read more

Many clients believe that it should be easy to get disability. Often times it can be a fairly smooth process, but many times it is not. The problem is that you will not know how easy it will be to get benefits until your case is completed. It must be remembered that every Social Security adjudicator has their own perception of the disability standard. Some adjudicators allow far more claims than others, and some adjudicators deny far more claims than others. Often, we are asked by clients, “why would anybody deny my case?” The excerpt from a recent Seventh Circuit case, Hightshoe v. Kijakazi ..read more

How Does SSI Work for Adults? SSI is an abbreviation for Supplemental Security Income. SSI is a type of benefit that is paid to disabled individuals of limited financial means. The information in this posting only refers to SSI. If your case is for DIB (SSD, Disability Insurance Benefits), this posting does not apply to you. In order to receive SSI an adult would need to have very limited household income. Household income includes the income of the claimant (the person claiming disability) and that of their spouse. Income of boyfriends, girlfriends, parents (for adult cases), roommates et cet ..read more

How will my Social Security Disability Hearing be Held? A few months ago, the Social Security Hearings offices re-opened for in person hearings.  However, Social Security disability hearings have not gone back to pre-pandemic hearing procedures. Currently, disability law firms and disability claimants receive a mailing shortly after they file their Request for Hearing Appeal (after the second denial- Reconsideration denial).   That mailing is titled “COVID 19 Remote Hearing Options.”  Once this form is received the disability client must select the type of hearing that they ..read more

Ravenna Youth Cheer Sponsorship by Smith Godios Sorensen Inc. for the season.  The Ravenna Youth Cheerleading program is a member of the Ohio Gridiron Youth Association and works with cheerleaders from Kindergarten through sixth grade. The Ohio Gridiron Youth Association is a non-profit organization that seeks to afford the youth of the area an opportunity to engage in healthy competition with proper physical training, adequate protective equipment, and qualified adult guidance, to provide and enforce suitable rules and conduct for players, coaches, and parents while protecting ..read more

You may be able to get SSI (Supplemental Security Income) for your child if your child is suffering from a severe medical condition that affects their ability to learn or engage in activities such as play like a normal child would.  Disabling conditions can include physical problems, like asthma, cerebral palsy, scoliosis, eczema, or psoriasis, depending on their severity.  They can also include behavioral and mental health conditions, like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiance disorder, depression, anxiety, mental retardation, borderline intellectual functi ..read more

Smith Godios Sorensen Inc. attorney Scott Smith was a speaker at the recent NOSSCR Conference held in Austin, Texas.  NOSSCR stands for the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives.  NOSSCR is a specialized bar association for attorneys and advocates who represent Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income claimants.  The mission of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR) is to advocate for improvements in Social Security disability programs and to ensure that individuals with disabili ..read more

Congress has finally taken major action in favor of Iraq and Afghanistan Vets who were exposed to burn pits during their deployments.  Now, Vets who have served in these areas and have later developed a variety of throat and lung-related cancers should not encounter much difficulty in obtaining the benefits that they justly deserve.  Noting how long Vets have waited for this major piece of legislation, a prior blog on our website was published over four years ago on this topic.   https://www.sgsdisability.com/veterans-disability-lawyers/   While it may have taken a lon ..read more