Sheri R. Abrams's Blog, page 15
October 13, 2017
Social Security Recipients to Get the Biggest Raise in Years!
The Social Security Administration has just announced that people receiving Social Security Retirement, Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will be getting a raise in 2018, the largest increase since 2012.
It will result in about a $25 monthly increase for the average beneficiary.
The 2% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to Social Security beneficiaries in January 2018. Increased payments to SSI beneficiaries will start on Decembe...
October 9, 2017
How to Stay One Step Ahead of Social Security Scammers
Scammers want your information. They have all kinds of creative ways for getting your account numbers, address and other personal information. Once they have it, they can steal your identity.
In the latest scam, thieves are trying to get your Social Security number. The scam is this: the scammer calls you up to ask you to “verify” your Social Security number. Here’s the script used by Social Security scammers:
A crook calls you from a “323” area code posing as a Social Security Administratio...September 28, 2017
Why a Special Needs Planning Lawyer Should Be a Part of Your Child’s Special Needs Team
Through all of your child’s life, there’s been a team of adults involved in his or her care. Besides parents and relatives, doctors, teachers, social workers, therapists, and psychologists could all be part of the team helping your child have the best future possible. However, the team isn’t complete without a Special Needs Planning lawyer. If all the other bases are covered – necessities, education, therapy, medicine, socialization, and community integration – without legal advocacy, then al...
September 21, 2017
Not all Medical Professionals Meet Requirements for Social Security Disability or SSI Eligibility
When you apply for Social Security Disability benefits (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), it is important that you have proper medical records to prove that you are disabled. Most likely, you have been to numerous medical and health practitioners in your attempt to regain your health. However, it is important to seek medical help from professionals that the Social Security Administration deems qualified.
The Social Security Administration has recently updated who they consider acc...
September 14, 2017
What You Post Online Matters When Applying for Social Security Disability says Virginia Social Security Disability Lawyer
The Administrative Law Judges (ALJ) have started to actively Google people to find out information about them when considering Social Security case. As a Virginia Social Security Disability Lawyer, I can tell you it really is in your best interest to assume that everything you post online is out there for anyone to see – including ALJs and the other Social Security examiners reviewing your case.
I’m not suggesting you become a hermit, or that you have to portray your whole life as miserable...
September 11, 2017
Social Security Adds To Compassionate Allowances List
On September 5, 2017, Nancy A. Berryhill, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, announced three new Compassionate Allowances conditions: CACH–Vanishing White Matter Disease-Infantile and Childhood Onset Forms, Congenital Myotonic Dystrophy, and Kleefstra Syndrome.
The Compassionate Allowances program identifies claims where the applicant’s disease or condition clearly meets Social Security’s statutory standard for disability. Many of these claims are allowed based on medical confirmation of...
September 8, 2017
Fairfax Special Needs Lawyer on Disabilities, Discrimination, and the Law
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) is the first federal law guaranteeing that people with disabilities have the same opportunities and options to participate in all areas of life as non-disabled persons. It was modeled on the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and it protects all those with mental or physical disabilities, or those perceived to have disabilities, that limit them in some way. These disabilities may include mental disabilities, physical disabilities, chronic illnesses or...
September 6, 2017
Should You Have Your Social Security Disability Hearing Via Videoteleconference, or What is Called a VTC Hearing?
During the time you are waiting for a Social Security Disability hearing to be scheduled, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will send you a letter saying that your case can be heard more quickly and efficiently by way of a VTC hearing.
Should you agree to have a VTC hearing, this will mean that your case will not be heard in person before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). Instead, you will appear in front of an ALJ by way of a video camera. SSA loves having VTC hearings as they ca...
August 30, 2017
Were Your Social Security Disability Benefits Denied? Don’t Make One of the 3 Most Common Mistakes!
Was your application for Social Security Disability benefits denied? You are not alone. About 80% of all applications for Social Security Disability benefits are denied. Sadly, when denials happen, applicants then make errors that are detrimental to their case!
If you have received a denial read on to make sure that you don’t add insult to injury. Here are the three most common mistakes to avoid:
Failing to Appeal
This is a head-scratcher to me, but many people simply fail to pursue their cl...
August 23, 2017
Fairfax Disability Lawyer: Obtaining Social Security Disability benefits after an Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosis
Alzheimer’s Disease is a terrifying diagnosis. As a Fairfax disability lawyer, I’ve worked with many Virginia residents who’ve heard those words from their doctor and wonder what life with this illness will look like.
Alzheimer’s Disease is a neurological disease that results in progressive cognitive decline. Often, people begin suspecting it in themselves or in their loved ones when the person begins experiencing short-term memory loss. Unfortunately, symptoms can progress to where the pers...
