You can be entitled to SSDI benefits or SSI benefits if you suffer from anxiety or depression. Depression, anxiety, and other mental health impairments can have a significant impact on a person’s life and career. These mental health impairments can make it impossible for an individual to work and earn a living.
You’ve won your SSI case! Now what? There are specific rules that Social Security Administration has in place that affects how you can spend SSI money.
Spending Your SSI Benefits
If you are a direct recipient of SSI benefits, technically there is no limit to what you can use the money for.
On March 11, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act into law. The $1.9 trillion stimulus package gives necessary financial support to Americans suffering as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Here’s all the information you need to know about receiving a stimulus check while receiving social security disability benefits.
If you get Social Security disability benefits, you still may be able to work. Here are all the questions that our clients typically ask about working while receiving disability benefits and the answers we provide.
Will I lose my Social Security disability if I work?
Special rules make it possible for people to work and still receive Social Security disability benefits.
For those of us in Social Security law practice, it is evident that the hearing offices in Northern California, Reno and Hawaii are taking longer to issue written decisions following hearings. It has been publicized that the waiting times to obtain hearings has slowed across the U.S., and we have passed along the statistics showing these delays in a separate article.
Considering filing an application for Social Security disability and unsure of your monthly payment amount if approved? Each individual has a unique disability amount based on covered earnings. Your monthly disability amount depends solely on the amount of federal income taxes you have paid over your lifetime.
All Social Security hearing offices remain closed for in-person hearings due to the COVID pandemic. As a result, Social Security is now offering both telephone and video hearings to all claimants. Video and telephone hearings are the only options for claimants during the COVID pandemic.
The thought of testifying in front of a judge can be intimidating. After waiting months or even years for their day in court, most people applying for disability do not know what to expect, or have any idea about the types of questions they will be asked. For most of our clients, the hearing will be the first time they’ve talked to a judge or interacted with the legal system. Understandably this can be a stressful and confusing time, but we work zealously to make sure our clients are confidence and prepared on their hearing day.
Due to the COVID pandemic, all Social Security hearing offices are closed for in-person hearings. According to Social Security, these closures are expected for the foreseeable future. Fortunately Social Security is offering two secure and safe options for your disability hearing so you won’t have to wait.
If you are a Social Security beneficiary, expect to see your benefit increase next year. All SSDI and SSI disability recipients will receive a 1.3 percent COLA for 2021. COLA stands for “Cost of Living Adjustment”. Social Security annually increases benefits to counteract inflation.
