Florida Social Security Disability

I recently ran across an Associated Press article about a Social Security claimant who was ordered to spend more than three years in federal prison and to repay nearly $143,000.00 to the government.  The Claimant began receiving Social Security disability in 1989 due to an inability to lift or use his arms.  At some point, […]

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When you file a claim for disability, you must tell the Social Security Administration what is preventing you from being able to work.  This could be pain, it could be depression, it could be any of a variety of medical conditions.  The main thing a judge will look for when evaluating your […]

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A Social Security Disability (SSD) claim does not usually end with a claimant’s death.  An SSI claim, on the other hand, may end unless there exists one of the few eligible individuals who can receive the claimant’s SSI Benefits. 
 
If a claimant dies before the hearing, a party eligible to receive the deceased’s […]

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Individuals who served in the US Armed Forces and became disabled while on active duty from October 2001 to present, regardless of where disability occurs are entitled to an expedited processing of their disability claim.   
To obtain additionally information regarding this issue, please feel free to contact my office for a free consultation.  Or you […]

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Question:  Were you disabled for a while several years ago and your health has now improved.   Can you receive disability benefits for the time that you were disabled?Answer:  That depends on when you became disabled and when you file an application for Social Security disability benefits.  Social Security will consider if you were disabled for a closed […]

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Has an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) found you not disabled because he/she obtained evidence from a Vocational Expert stating that your physical and mental restrictions (RFC), age, education, and past work experience may allow you to work as a surveillance system monitor (DOT No. 379.367-010)?  However, this same ALJ found that you are limited in […]

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In developing evidence of the effects of symptoms, such as pain, shortness of breath, or fatigue, on a claimant’s ability to function, SSA investigates all avenues presented that relate to the complaints. These include information provided by treating and other sources regarding:

the claimant’s daily activities;
the location, duration, frequency, and intensity of the pain or […]

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If the evidence provided by the claimant’s own medical sources is inadequate to determine if he or she is disabled, additional medical information may be sought by recontacting the treating source for additional information or clarification, or by arranging for a CE. The treating source is the preferred source for a CE if he or […]

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Currently, many disability claims are decided on the basis of medical evidence from treating sources. SSA regulations place special emphasis on evidence from treating sources because they are likely to be the medical professionals most able to provide a detailed longitudinal picture of the claimant’s impairments and may bring a unique perspective to the medical […]

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Documentation of the existence of a claimant’s impairment must come from medical professionals defined by SSA regulations as “acceptable medical sources.” Once the existence of an impairment is established, all the medical and non-medical evidence is considered in assessing impairment severity. “Acceptable medical sources” are:

licensed physicians (medical or osteopathic doctors);  
licensed or certified psychologists. Included […]

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