I want to discuss some things people need to know before they get to a Social Security hearing. I have worked in Social Security law for almost 20 years now and I can tell you there is a lot of information that is needed before having a hearing date. This blog will...
Disability solutions for you and your family
Noell Espaillat
Can I Work While I am Filing for Social Security Disability?
Many people filing for Social Security Disability benefits may not have a family member, spouse or friends that can pay their bills or support them while they are out of work. If you are capable of performing substantial gainful work activity, you will not meet the...
Taxes, Self-Employment Income, and Your Claim for Social Security Disability
If you are filing for disability or if you are on disability benefits, you need to know what counts as income before filing your tax return for 2022. Each year we see claimants affected by the consequences of filing incorrect income, especially self-employment income,...
Dementia Services and Disability
Gulf Coast Dementia Services is a nonprofit (501 c3) here on the Gulf Coast devoted to caregiver services and resources for families dealing with dementia. I have worked with Gulf Coast Dementia Services on the board for the last year and in 2021 worked in fundraising...
No Fee Unless You Win!
Many people wait to call us for getting help with their Social Security Disability claims stating they did not think they could afford an attorney/representative. The truth is, especially in the climate of the Social Security offices today, you cannot afford to not...
Can I Work While I Am Filing for Disability?
Many people filing for Social Security Disability benefits may not have a family member, spouse or friends that can pay their bills or support them while they are out of work and filing for disability benefits. If you are capable of performing substantial gainful work...
Medical Equivalence or Medically Meeting a Listing in Social Security Disability
I previously wrote back in 2017 regarding the rules in a Social Security case that the Social Security Administration (SSA) uses for determining medical equivalence. SSA has compiled what is referred to as a Listing of Impairments and the criteria to meet these...
Compassionate Allowances and Social Security Disability
Social Security has a list of Compassionate Allowance conditions which can help to quickly identify diseases and other medical conditions that, by definition, meet Social Security's standards for disability benefits. These conditions primarily include certain cancers,...
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...
Supreme Court Decision on SSI in Puerto Rico
This is my third blog regarding the Supreme Courts decision to hear the case of a resident of Puerto Rico drawing under the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. In a disappointing decision by the Supreme Court in the case of United States v. Vaello Madero, the...