Snap Back to Basics – The Impact of Marriage on Social Security Benefits

In our recent blog posts, we discussed about the impact of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) repeal into the Social Security benefits. Now let us go back to basics. Today, we will talk about how marriage affects the social security disability benefits.

Technically, marriage may affect one’s social security disability benefits in various ways. Also, its impact usually depends on the type of benefits you receive such as the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

Under SSI benefits, your eligibility is basically determined on your income and financial resources. Once you get married, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will estimate a portion of your spouse’s income to your record. Thereby, the agency will consider your spouse’s income to be your income as well. The same may eventually reduce your monthly payment or even prompt the agency to terminate your benefits altogether. In fact, even though you and your partner are not yet married but are living together, the agency may still decide to estimate some of your partner’s income to your record.

Meanwhile, under SSDI, marriage has no impact on your own earning’s record, no matter how much your future spouse earns.

On a related note, several Los Angeles social security disability lawyers have previously explained that if an individual collects SSDI based on someone else’s earning record, the benefit can only be affected in the following ways:

•    If you are collecting SSDI benefits under your eligible parent’s record and you get married, your benefit will be terminated. Your only option to keep the said benefit is to marry another disabled adult child.

•    If you are currently collecting SSDI benefits under your ex-spouse’s earning record, your benefit will be terminated if you remarry. The same policy also applies to individuals who collect SSDI under the earning record of a deceased spouse who remarry before age 50 if disabled and before age 60 if not disabled.

Consequently, one good piece of advice is to always consider consulting with an SSA representative to avoid compromising your benefits. If such instances can’t be avoided, be sure to choose the right one to marry so that you will not regret losing something really important in the long run.

SSA Field Offices to Cut 30 Minutes from Regular Office Hours

Beginning November 19, some 1,233 field offices of the Social Security Administration (SSA) will be cutting thirty minutes from their usual office hours. Therefore, the field offices will be operating and open to public from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm, according to a newspaper for senior government managers.

Accordingly, the said office hours reduction is a part of the agency’s goal to highlight the importance of seeking Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) representation for people with disabling condition. In fact, this is the second time that the agency has trimmed some 30 minutes from its regular office hours.

The first office hours cut took effect last August 15, 2011, when field offices started operating between 9:00 am and 3:30 pm. It was actually 30 minutes earlier than the previous closing time, which was 4:00 pm.

Meanwhile, in wake of the previous announcement, several organizations have expressed their disapproval of the trimmed office hours.

According them, the measure would only delay and deteriorate the quality the agency’s service to senior citizens and other Social Security recipients.

Aside from the two consecutive office hours cut, it can be remembered that the agency previously shut down nearly 50 field offices over the past couple of years and will allegedly lay off approximately 4,000 employees this year alone.

Some experts believe that the cost-cutting measures would only mean hardship to many applicants, particularly those who are suffering from chronic pain and disabling illnesses.

Consequently, a Los Angeles SSI lawyer hopes that the federal agency will eventually consider having a close examination of the pros and cons of its decisions. This way it would avoid imposing undue hardship to SSI and SSDI claimants and SSA employees.

Increase Your Chances of Getting Approved for Social Security Disability Insurance

An individual who had been injured and can no longer perform a job may face several difficulties in filing for a social security disability insurance (SSDI) claim. Therefore, it is most important that the claim must be approved during the first time of filing.

During the filing of claim, having a social security disability lawyer to represent an individual is very necessary since such legal representative is capable of handling the claim from start to finish.

By doing so, one can focus on living a usual life while providing an accurate documentation to support the claim.

Below are some ways to increase your chances of getting approved for social security disability insurance claim. Whether you are applying for the first time, or have been denied, the following tips could help your cause:

•    Know if your physician supports your disability claim.

It is important to have your physician fill out a residual functional capacity (RFC) form together with a detailed explanation of your disability and how the condition prevents you from going back to work.

•    Submit all copies of pertinent papers and documents.

Furnish all required copies of medical records during the initial application and if you are already filing for an appeal, also submit copies of your initial applications through each appeal process. Don’t forget to attach the most recent update of your disability as well if there is any.

•    Always cooperate with the claims examiner handling your case.

This includes immediately responding to notices and correspondences and attending to all medical examinations set forth for you.

•    Stay updated regarding the status and progress of your case.

If you have a legal representative, you will not have to worry too much regarding the update of your case since your representative is the one responsible in checking for the updates and progress of your case.

•    Do not miss important deadlines.

Missing deadlines can cause you to start the case all the way from the beginning of its processing. Therefore, it is important to take note of your schedules.

•    Always keep in touch with the professionals handling your claims.

Remember to always keep open lines of communication not only with your lawyer, but also with the representatives and examiners handling your claim.

If ever you have been denied of your initial claim, solicit the expertise of Los Angeles social security disability lawyer to ensure that you’ll get the maximum benefits that you deserve.