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Recent Blog Posts

Will Receiving Gifts Impact My Social Security Disability Benefits?

 Posted on December 20, 2024 in Social Security Disability

TX disability lawyerWhile receiving gifts - especially monetary gifts or gifts of great value - can be a joyous occasion, people who are reliant on Social Security benefits might also worry about whether it could affect their benefits. If you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you have nothing to fear. SSDI benefits are entitlements based on your work history and disability status, not your current financial resources and needs. Many SSDI recipients have substantial savings or assets from before they became disabled and had to stop working. SSDI recipients do not need to report gifts or inheritances to the Social Security office. However, if you are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a substantial gift or inheritance could impact your need-based benefits. An experienced Dallas, TX SSI lawyer can help you understand how gifts and inheritances might impact your benefits.

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Obsolete Jobs Removed From Social Security Disability Lists

 Posted on December 06, 2024 in Social Security Disability

TX disability lawyerWhen a person applies for Social Security Disability Insurance, one of the ways the administration will decide if he or she is eligible is by trying to find a job the applicant could do in spite of his or her disabilities. The SSA keeps a master list of jobs it uses for this purpose. This may seem helpful for everyone - people may be unaware of a job that is suited to his or her abilities and can often earn more by working than they would receive through SSDI. Up until recently, however, there was a glaring problem with this.

Many of the jobs listed were completely obsolete and no longer a viable option. One man was famously denied because the SSA determined that he could work as a nut sorter - the problem being that there is no such job in modern times. As of this summer, a large number of obsolete jobs have finally been removed from the SSA’s master list. If you were previously denied because an obsolete job matched your abilities, a well-qualified Dallas, TX SSDI attorney can help you re-apply.

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Can I Start a Business While Receiving SSDI?

 Posted on November 25, 2024 in Social Security Disability

Collin County, TX SSDI LawyerSocial Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are a lifeline to Americans with disabilities who fall below a certain income level. However, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has strict guidelines about who can qualify for SSDI. These criteria include limits on income and work, making people who perform certain duties or earn enough income ineligible to receive SSDI benefits. A question often asked is if an SSDI recipient can start a business — or even go back to work at all — and continue enjoying benefits. The answer is yes, subject to certain conditions. To learn more, contact a Texas SSDI attorney for personalized legal advice.

What Are the Work Guidelines for SSDI?

The SSA only offers SSDI to people with disabilities who bring in a certain amount of income, referred to as substantial gainful activity (SGA). For 2024, someone whose SGA is over $1,470 per month — or $2,460 if he or she is blind — is not eligible for SSDI.

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Can Disabled Adult Children With Autism Receive SSDI?

 Posted on November 13, 2024 in Social Security Disability

TX disability lawyerAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a disability that can affect daily life. For some adults with autism, everyday tasks and even independent living can be a challenge. Parents with adult children diagnosed with ASD sometimes need extra financial assistance to help provide the necessary care, particularly if their children live with them.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) sometimes provides Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) to Americans with disabilities, which include autism. A disabled adult child (DAC) with autism can sometimes receive benefits under his or her parents. Qualifying and applying for SSDI benefits is complex, however, which is why it should preferably be done under the guidance of a Texas SSDI attorney.

How Can a Disabled Adult Child Qualify for SSDI?

Not everybody qualifies for SSDI. To receive SSDI benefits, the applicant must have a sufficient work history and have been paying into the Social Security system. Young adults with autism, however, sometimes have trouble maintaining employment and do not have enough work history to qualify.

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Can Veterans Qualify for SSDI and VA Disability Benefits?

 Posted on October 30, 2024 in Social Security Disability

TX disability lawyerAmerican taxpayers who suffer from certain disabilities may be eligible to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). These are payments distributed by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to people whose conditions affect their ability to work. If the disability was incurred or aggravated during military service, the person may also be eligible to receive compensation from the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). Since these benefits are unrelated, one does not affect the other. This means a veteran will not receive less SSDI payments if he or she is collecting VA benefits, and vice-versa.

In this article, we will discuss the differences between SSDI and VA benefits and the eligibility requirements for each. For more details about receiving SSDI benefits, consult a qualified Texas SSDI attorney.

What Are the Differences Between SSDI and VA Disability Benefits?

The main differences between SSDI and VA payments lie in the fact that they are for distinct, unrelated purposes and are calculated differently. For example:

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5 Ways to Avoid SSDI Denials in Texas

 Posted on October 14, 2024 in Social Security Disability

TX SSDI lawyerApplying for social security disability insurance (SSDI) can be a painstaking process. SSDI applicants sometimes wait years to receive their first payment. During that time, they may continue to suffer from their disabilities, which might even get worse as time drags on. Some applicants may wait for long periods only to eventually be denied disability insurance. While it is sometimes possible to have your application reconsidered, the appeals process can also be a difficult one.

This article will discuss five ways to avoid SSDI denials. Remember that the best way to successfully apply for SSDI is through a qualified Texas SSDI attorney.

Carefully Review SSDI Eligibility Criteria

One of the most important ways to avoid being denied SSDI is to make sure you are eligible. The eligibility criteria may not remain the same year to year, so reviewing them before you apply is a great place to start.

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Can I Get Social Security Disability for PTSD?

 Posted on September 24, 2024 in Social Security Disability

Dallas, TX Social Security Disability Insurance LawyerThere is no doubt that Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a disability. While many people who struggle with this complex mental health condition are able to lead very normal lives, others find that PTSD is debilitating.

PTSD can cause a wide range of symptoms, from sudden and intense emotional reactions to triggers to a constant feeling of being on guard or even a fear of leaving your home.

If you are struggling with PTSD and your condition prevents you from holding a job, you may qualify to receive Social Security Disability. An experienced Collin County, TX SSDI lawyer can help you work towards receiving the payments you may be entitled to.

How does the Social Security Administration define Disabling PTSD? 

The SSA considers a person disabled if he or she cannot engage in any substantial gainful activity because of a medically determinable physical or mental disability. The disability must have lasted or be expected to last at least one year.

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How Long Does it Take to Get Social Security Disability?

 Posted on September 11, 2024 in Social Security Disability

TX disability lawyerPeople who need Social Security Disability usually need it somewhat urgently. If you were not always disabled, but lost your ability to work due to a serious accident, new onset illness, or traumatic event, you probably did not have the luxury of enough notice to start the process well before you actually needed the money. Few people have the personal savings needed to stay afloat for years while fighting with the Social Security Administration. Unfortunately, for some people, years can go by between the time they first file a claim and the time they see their first payments. A Dallas, TX SSDI attorney can help you get through the claims process as quickly as possible.

Why Does it Take So Long to Get SSDI Payments? 

The process of applying for disability can be frustrating. It is almost never as simple as submitting a few forms along with proof of your disability, getting approved, and getting your first check. Most people will encounter a few hurdles during the application process. Common reasons the SSDI application process gets delayed include: 

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Can I Get SSDI Benefits if I Win a Personal Injury Case? 

 Posted on August 27, 2024 in Social Security Disability

Collin County SSDI Benefits LawyerImagine being in a car accident that leaves you unable to work and with severe injuries. After months of surgeries and rehabilitation, you finally receive a lump sum settlement from a personal injury lawsuit. The money helps cover your medical bills and living expenses, but now you are worried about the future.

You have not yet applied for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and you wonder if this settlement will affect your eligibility for SSDI. Could you lose out on benefits because of the money you received? If you are in this situation, it is crucial to understand how SSDI works and to consult with a Texas SSDI lawyer to protect your rights.

What Are SSDI Benefits and What Factors Affect Eligibility?

Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) is a federal program designed to provide financial support to people who are unable to work due to a disability. To qualify for SSDI, several factors are taken into account, including:

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Can Having Diabetes Qualify You For SSDI?

 Posted on August 14, 2024 in Social Security Disability

Dallas Social Security Disability LawyerLiving with diabetes can be challenging, and for some, it may impact the ability to work. If you have diabetes and find it difficult to maintain employment, you might wonder if you qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). A Texas lawyer can help you understand how diabetes can qualify you for SSDI benefits and what you need to know about the application process.

What to Understand About Diabetes and SSDI

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body processes glucose (sugar) from food. While many people with diabetes can manage their condition and continue working, others may experience complications that make it difficult or impossible to maintain employment.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) does not automatically approve SSDI benefits for
individuals with diabetes. However, you may qualify if your diabetes or its complications severely
limit your ability to work. The SSA evaluates each case individually, considering the following factors:

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