Author: ScullyDisability

When you’re trying to get disability benefits from Social Security, there’s a lot of terms and jargon that can be very confusing. But tops on the list of things that confound clients is the difference between the terms “re-apply” and “appeal.” If your application for benefits is denied and you start over from scratch by […]

Chicago and Northwest Indiana were awash in a sea of red and black recently, with the Black Hawks bringing home their third Stanley Cup in six years. With all eyes having been focused on hockey, this seems a good time to visit a serious subject linked to the sport in recent years — the risk […]

On many disability law firms’ web sites, you click on a chat box and carry on a virtual conversation with a faceless representative at that firm. But keep this in mind: Is that person a lawyer? Probably not (especially if the word “advocate” is in the company title). Will I get to see a lawyer? Sure you […]

Does bigger mean better? Sometimes, but sometimes not. Every shopper knows there are times when you can’t find exactly what you want in a larger chain store, despite their rows upon rows of identical merchandise. Unique, one-of-a-kind items often are found only in smaller boutiques. That philosophy doesn’t apply only to material goods — it can […]

Last month, we detailed things claimants can do to aid themselves in the disability process, even when they have a representative to help. Now, we want to explain what OUR responsibilities are to our clients. First and foremost, our job is to file any relevant appeals and represent you at any hearings, along with submitting […]

People hire attorneys or representatives to help with Social Security Disability claims because they want help with the process, and we’re glad to provide that! But there are some things that clients (or claimants who choose to handle the process on their own), can do to relieve the stress of applying and to make things run […]

“I worked for 20 years! Why don’t I qualify for disability?” We often hear from clients outraged because they spent many years in the workforce, but don’t meet the Social Security guidelines to have their conditions considered in disability claims. We also hear complaints because they know of someone who did not work nearly as long, but […]

One of the first questions we are asked is, “How long does the Social Security Disability process take?” While each claimant’s situation is unique, there are some general time frames that most people can expect. The first step, obviously, is to file an application (either in person, via phone or online). After preliminary processing by […]

One of the things we frequently hear from clients frustrated by the Social Security Disability system is that alcoholics are so easily awarded benefits based solely on their drinking problem. In fact, this has not been true for years. The criteria related to alcoholism changed in 1996, after Congress required SSA to remove alcoholism (along with drug […]