By Jeffrey Freedman Article appeared in The Buffalo News on April 17, 2025 In the name of cost-effectiveness, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has applied a hatchet to government agencies without first establishing where the “inefficiencies” exist. This hurts Americans in many ways, but some of the worst are…
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In the name of cost-effectiveness, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has applied a hatchet to government agencies without first establishing where the “inefficiencies” exist. This hurts Americans in many ways, but some of the worst are cuts to the Social Security Administration (SSA) and Veterans Affairs (VA). These agencies…
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Imagine you’ve been involved in an accident requiring surgery and time to recuperate. Though the injury and rehabilitation period leave you completely unable to work, your doctor believes you will eventually make a full recovery. You know that Social Security does not offer partial disability payments through either Social Security…
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If you think you are eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), one of the key factors the Social Security Administration (SSA) considers is whether or not you can engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA). SGA is a measurement used by the SSA to determine…
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Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can be challenging, especially if you’ve been advised to undergo surgery but have chosen not to. The Social Security Administration (SSA) often considers whether medical treatment, including surgery, could improve your condition enough for you to return to…
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If you or a loved one have become unable to work due to an illness or injury and are thinking of applying for Social Security Disability (SSD) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you are probably concerned about the changes at the Social Security Administration (SSA). Every day there are announcements…
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Every year, approximately 90,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD), a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement, coordination, and cognition. As symptoms worsen over time, many individuals find it increasingly difficult to work and perform daily activities. If you have severe PD and are no longer able to work,…
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Last week, President Trump told Congress he has the constitutional power to fire administrative law judges (ALJ) at will, a declaration that conflicts with a statute stating ALJs cannot be removed without cause. Out of a total of approximately 1700 ALJs employed in the Federal government, 1500 work for the…
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Government shutdowns are a recurring challenge in the United States, often stemming from political disputes over federal funding. While these shutdowns can disrupt many government functions, questions frequently arise about their impact on Social Security benefits. For the millions of Americans who rely on Social Security for retirement, disability, and…
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If you’ve ever heard the term Title II (2) or Title XVI (16) benefits, you might be wondering what they refer to. These terms correspond directly to what is more commonly known as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, respectively. Title 2 and Title 16…
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