Last week I had the privilege to speak at the 15th Annual Family Law Stars Across the Bay CLE. I spoke about the intersection of Social Security Administration benefits (based in large part on the fantastic work of Attorney Brooke Thomas from Gardberg & Kemmerly)...
Disability solutions for you and your family
Month: August 2022
Will Getting Married Affect My SSI Claim?
Many people get married either during the waiting period or after receiving benefits for Social Security disability and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). If you are receiving Social Security disability from your own earnings record and you marry, your benefits will...
Let Me Tell You About “My Marines”
If you’ve read my blogs in the past, you may have seen me mention that I am an associate member of the P.L. Wilson Marine Corps League here in Mobile, where I am surrounded by many remarkable Marines and service members from other branches of the military. I was lucky...
I Do Not Have a Valid ID. What Do I Do?
As the Social Security Administrations office and Office of Hearing Operations offices open again, you are required to have a valid photo ID. The Social Security Administration requires claimants to have valid photo identification for entrance to all hearings and for...
What is an Intent to File and Why You Need to File One
Often overlooked, an intent to file (aka VA Form 21-0966) is an important step in beginning your claim for VA compensation. The intent to file gives you additional time, up to a year, to gather additional evidence to support your claim before filing. This will help...
PACT Act Becomes Law
The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promises to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act is finally law! The PACT act, which I’ve discussed previously, as well as in February and May, has finally been signed into law by President Biden on August 10,...
Does Social Security have to consider a VA decision when determining disability?
Since 2017, it has been established in the Social Security Regulations that SSA does not have to assign any weight or even review a disability determination made by the Veterans Administration. Social Security Regulation 20 C.F.R. § 404.1504 states: Decisions by other...
VA Confidence in New Electronic Health Records System ‘Shaken’ After Reports of Patient Harm
The VA, Congress, and the creators of the VA’s new electronic health records program (EHR) are renewing their review of the EHR rollout. Secretary McDonough said the department’s confidence has been shaken following system outages and Inspector General (IG) reports...
PACT Act Passes the Senate
The Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act (the PACT act), which I discussed last week, as well as in February and May, has finally passed in the Senate, on August 2, 2022, and will go before the President to be signed into law. It is expected that the Act...