By Jeffrey Freedman Article appeared in The Buffalo News on September 25, 2024 Last December, the Social Security Administration got a new commissioner in Martin O’Malley. The former governor of Maryland was appointed to address poor customer service, including the almost two-year wait for decisions on Social Security Disability (SSD)…
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You’ll probably feel like breathing a sigh of relief after your Social Security disability hearing is over. Gathering every piece of paperwork and preparing for questions from an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) aren’t small tasks. Since most disability claimants get approved for benefits at the hearing stage, it’s important to…
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Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs through the Social Security Administration (SSA) support millions of Americans. In fact, reports from the SSA state nearly 9 million people receive SSDI benefits while about 7.5 million receive SSI payments. If you’re earning rental income from properties you…
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If you’re approved for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you’ve successfully completed the hardest part of the process. However, that doesn’t mean the process is over forever. The Social Security Administration (SSA) periodically conducts a continuing disability review to ensure you are still eligible for…
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When we think of workplace injuries, we tend to think of dramatic incidents like problems with machinery or electricity, but the most common workplace injuries continue to be falls, slips and trips. And it’s not just construction sites that are dangerous, retail stores and offices can be hazardous too. One…
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Suppose your 20-something son or daughter just bought their first car and they are getting quotes on insurance. Junior probably doesn’t make a lot of money, so every cent counts and he or she likely doesn’t understand the importance of having sufficient Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or Supplemental Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist…
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If you are currently applying for Social Security Disability (SSD), or you have a loved one going through the process, you know from experience how long you may wait and how much patience it takes to get to the hearing level. Imagine getting to that stage and not getting your…
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Schizophrenia is a psychotic mental disorder that alters your perception of reality, makes normal social interaction difficult, and causes challenges when thinking logically and controlling behavior. This condition is considered a spectrum disorder, which means it affects each individual who suffers from it differently. While it is possible for some…
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By Jeffrey Freedman As seen in the Bar Association of Erie County Bulletin - July/August 2024 Earlier this year we highlighted the fact that the Social Security Administration (SSA) continued to use a publication called the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (last updated in 1977) to determine if Social Security Disability…
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By Jeffrey Freedman Imagine living in today’s economy on $943 a month. That is what 7 million individuals living on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) receive. Now imagine that amount being reduced by one third because your roommate buys you groceries. Because SSI is a needs-based program, claimants’ income and assets…
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