Permanent Disabilities and Workers Comp Permanent Disability, in the context of Workers' Compensation, refers to a condition that causes an employee to be unable to return to their previous job or any other job due to a long-term or permanent impairment. This term can include physical injuries such as loss of limb or paralysis, as well ...
Important: We updated this article in January 2023 to make sure all the info below is correct. Today, we’re answering a question from reader Tina about qualifying for disability benefits. She says it’s getting and harder and harder to go to work these days, but she has bills to pay. Tina asks: “If I’m applying ...
Note: We last updated this article in March 2022 with current SSA information. Yesterday, a reader wrote in to ask: “Can I claim disability benefits if I was forced to retire due to depression, anxiety and memory problems?” We’ll do our best to answer this question for you. First, we’ll assume that you’re not old ...
A reader wrote in to let us know he’d been turned down for Social Security disability for being “too old.” His question is, “I didn’t know there was an age cut-off when I applied. At what age am I too old to qualify for Social Security disability?” Unfortunately, the real answer depends on whether or ...
Note: We updated this article in March 2022 to ensure it reflects the most current SSA policy data. Worried that you won't get approved for disability benefits? You may have heard it’s not easy if your illness doesn’t have visible symptoms. However, if you cannot work because of your condition, help is available to you. ...
People who apply for Social Security disability don’t know how much money to expect. Today, we’ll explain how to calculate it — and what does (or does not) affect your pay amount. The Social Security Administration’s benefits formula is actually a lot more complicated than you might think! Understanding How the SSA’s Complex Benefits Formula Works Your ...
How long, exactly, does it take from the moment you apply to getting your first SSD payment once you’re approved? See every step in the application process and claim review timeline below. Step 1: When to Apply for Social Security Disability If you’re still working when you apply for Social Security disability, the SSA will automatically reject ...
Ready to apply for Social Security disability? You have two choices — both cost you nothing, but option #1 greatly improves your chances for approval: Get a disability advocate or lawyer to help you apply for Social Security disability.Apply on your own directly through the Social Security Administration. Having a professional file your claim is the best ...
Note: This article was updated in March 2022 to reflect current SSA information and policies. If approved for disability benefits, you may also wonder about retroactive pay or overdue back payments. After all, if you’re now too disabled to work, your condition likely didn’t develop overnight. Your disability may go back months or even years ...
Note: We updated this article in March of 2022 to reflect the latest data. First, let’s look at the good news. In 2021, 827,138 people got approved for Social Security disability benefits. Imagine how relieved they felt when they heard they’d would soon start collecting those checks! Now, let’s take a moment to review the not-so-great ...
So, the Social Security Administration (SSA) denied your disability claim. Rest assured, you’re not alone. The SSA reports that on average, 69% of Social Security disability benefit claims get denied. That means less than 2 in 5 people who apply actually receive SSD benefits. It’s important to act quickly after your denial, since waiting too ...
Note: We updated this article in March 2022 to reflect the most recent available SSA approval rates. If you’re not sure whether your illness or condition qualifies for disability benefits, it’s helpful to know which ones the Social Security Administration approves most often. Maybe you’ll see your condition on this list and feel more at ...
Note: We updated this article in March 2022 to reflect the latest info from the Social Security Administration. Today, we have an interesting question about one man’s eligibility for disability benefits after serving time in prison. His email reads: “I received disability benefits until October 3, 2015. Then I was incarcerated until November 15, 2019. ...
Note: We updated this article in March 2022 to reflect the latest data from the Social Security Administration. Recently, a reader submitted a question about drawing survivor’s Social Security disability (SSD) benefits. She asks: “Is there a certain age you have to be to draw SSD off of my deceased spouse? I've been off work ...
Note: We updated this article in March 2022 with the latest information from the Social Security Administration. Recently, three different readers asked questions about current or former romantic relationships and how they affect disability benefits. Since these questions revolve around marriage, divorce and living together, we answer them all below. Question #1: Will My Upcoming Marriage ...
You may know this, but many people don’t – you may qualify for disability benefits through a former or current spouse. We get many questions about Social Security disability for husbands and wives, so we’ll explain the process here. You’ll learn age limits, how they calculate payments and other crucial info that may help you ...
On March 17, 2020, the Social Security Administration decided to temporarily close all field offices due to the coronavirus outbreak. More than a year later, SSA offices began accepting some limited in-person appointments on May 28, 2021. Regardless, every Social Security office in the nation remains closed to walk-in traffic as of June 2021. ...
Note: We updated this article in March 2022 to reflect current Social Security Administration data. A reader who's a 100% disabled veteran asked us if it’s possible for him to get Social Security disability benefits. The answer is, yes! And as a 100% disabled veteran, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will speed up your claim ...
In order to qualify for Social Security disability benefits, every bullet point below must describe you: You are unable to work specifically due to health problems.Your doctor expects your mental or physical disability to last at least a year or result in death.Doctor-provided medical records support your disability claim. (You must submit evidence that shows you ...
Recently, a reader wondered if having two diagnosed mental health issues could help him qualify for Social Security disability. “I have both bipolar and borderline personality disorder, so am I eligible to receive disability benefits?” Since the Social Security Administration (SSA) doesn’t award benefits based only on your diagnosis, it’s hard to say. We’ll explain ...
Learn how to make outstanding financial changes with government and private programs. Whether you are deep in debt, or just want to plan for the future, we can help you take the proper recourse to take back financial control. Discover programs that can assist with financial woes, debt, credit repair, loan qualification, and much more! ...
Several people recently asked which documentation they need to apply for disability. It’s true that you will need certain documents to successfully apply for disability benefits, but which ones? We’ll break it into two sections: medical evidence and other required documentation to apply for Social Security disability (SSD) benefits. Required Documentation All SSD Applicants Must Provide ...
We’ve had multiple readers write in to ask about filing personal injury claims while driving without a license. In every case, the person driving without a license did not cause the accident and got hurt. One says he was driving without a license when another car rear-ended him. Another says “I was involved in an ...
After you’re hurt or ill in the workplace, the last thing you want to do is a math problem to calculate your workers’ comp. That's because the numbers you need to calculate your weekly payment amount are harder to find than you might expect. First, it’s not always based on your current salary. Second, it ...
A reader wrote in to ask us two questions about changing his case and potentially hiring a new lawyer. While the first question's more specific, the second one applies to many blog readers that ask us for advice. He asks: “Can I switch from a class action suit to a mass tort and switch lawyers? ...
We got an interesting question recently from a reader that we wanted to share with everyone. “I broke my front tooth eating candy and complained about it on social media. I was contacted by the candy company’s insurance and offered $1,300. I’ve already spent over $2,900 at the dentist; I lost three teeth total because ...
We had three different readers ask about car accident injuries when an airbag doesn't deploy on impact as expected. In one such case, LifeFlight picked up the reader's severely injured father and lifted him to a trauma hospital. In another, the reader lost control while driving and rolled his Pontiac – but the airbag never ...
Recently, a reader emailed us with a question. “I was rear-ended at a red light. I just bought the car, so I don’t have car insurance yet. Can I still get paid?” This is a great question! The answer depends on just two things: Does the other driver have insurance, and what state was your ...
Note: This article was updated on February 25, 2021 with the latest settlement amounts and updated links. If you’ve ever been rear-ended, you know you might not realize you're hurt until 48 hours later. A reader recently wrote us to ask: “I have whiplash and a back injury. How much is it worth?” This is ...
Recently, a reader asked: “Is it possible to waive an overpayment in disability benefits if I have good cause? If yes, how do I do that?” This is a great question! We’ll explain why some people get overpayment letters from the Social Security Administration and how to deal with them below. The SSA administers payments for ...
Recently, a reader wrote in to ask if an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provision could help her grandson. “My grandson has a reading and comprehensive dyslexia problem. He is an electrician, and in order to advance in his job, he must pass a qualification test. He has taken the test over and over. But his ...
Thinking about suing your employer for wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination or wage theft? If so, you probably want to know how much an employment attorney will charge you. In fact, one reader wrote recently to ask: “how much is the percentage of the attorney’s fees taken out?” We'll answer that question and some others that ...
Recently, we received a question about qualifying for Social Security disability as a noncitizen. Here’s what the question says: “I have definite asylum in the United States and worked for 16 years paying taxes. I am wondering if I qualify for SSDI if I’m disabled, even though I don’t have a Green Card?” This is ...
We’ve gotten a significant number of questions from workers whose jobs were affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Since every U.S. state has its own workers’ compensation laws, some questions don't have a universal answer. But wherever federal laws or Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidelines apply, we’ll list those answers below. Can my employer force me ...
Things are moving fast as states take steps to contain the growing coronavirus outbreak. Many readers were laid off, furloughed without pay or had their shift hours cut. Others work at schools temporarily closed to slow its spread, but aren’t eligible to file unemployment. How are people supposed to pay rent and bills with no ...
We recently got a workers’ compensation question from a reader named Kelsie. In her email, Kelsie explained that after returning to her job with some restrictions, her work injury actually got worse. Now, she’s thinking about quitting that job to accommodate her health needs and speed up her work injury’s healing process. Would Kelsie get ...
You filled out the form to sign up for a free consultation with a qualified bankruptcy attorney near you. Now what? We’ll tell you exactly what to expect when meeting up for the first time face-to-face. This also includes what documents to bring and questions you might want to ask before you sign anything. First, ...
You lost your job, but believe your employer illegally fired you. How hard is it to prove a wrongful termination case — and which claims usually win? Remember, there’s a big difference between what most people agree seems “unfair” vs. breaking the law. Below, we'll list some examples of what it takes to win a ...
Thinking about suing your employer for one reason or another? There are time limits on how long you have to file an employment lawsuit. In legal terms, this is commonly known as the “statute of limitations.” But unlike most other claim types you can file, state law doesn’t define your deadline to file an employment ...
One of the many benefits of declaring bankruptcy is the ability to completely discharge certain debts. That’s right — once a court discharges them either through Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, you no longer owe those debts! Anywhere from 530,000 to 800,000 Americans filed for bankruptcy every year since 2010. See the most common reasons ...
You decided it’s finally time to speak with an employment lawyer about your unpleasant situation at work. That’s great! But now, you’re not sure what to expect from your free, no-obligation legal consultation. Learn how to prepare for your first in-person meeting and what documents to bring with you below. How to Prepare For Your First ...
Bankruptcy. For many people, that word carries a social stigma. But bankruptcy isn’t nearly as bad (or even uncommon) as you probably think. At least 800,000 people declared bankruptcy last year, and more than 1 in 10 were aged 65 or older. Here, we’ll explain some surprising bankruptcy benefits you probably never heard of before. ...
Most people struggling beneath mountains of debt just want to be free. That’s because paying down high-interest credit cards and loans is almost impossible on monthly minimum payments alone. But how long does it take to complete the process from start to finish once you declare bankruptcy? Of course, like most things, the answer is: ...
Considering filing bankruptcy? If so, you’re probably wondering how much a bankruptcy lawyer will charge you for help. After all, you’re already skating on thin ice with your finances. Can you really afford to pay a bankruptcy lawyer on top of everything else? We’ll explain how much a bankruptcy lawyer typically charges for Chapter 7 ...
One reason for denied Social Security disability claims is because applicants get better in less than 12 months. But if you live in one of the five states listed below, you can apply for short-term or temporary disability benefits. That’s because they have their own state disability benefit programs that cover workers who qualify. Learn ...
How hard is it to get approved for monthly disability benefits from the federal government? In fact, the real answer is, "it depends." Knowing what specific program you apply for can make a huge difference. In addition, disability application approval rates for children are often much higher than those for adults. Another factor most people ...
If a defective drug, product or medical device injures you, you can file a claim to get justice and compensation. But most people don’t understand what mass tort means, or how it’s different from a class action lawsuit. We’re going to break down these terms in language that makes it easy to understand what makes ...
If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you recently filled out a free evaluation form on DrugJustice.com. You're probably wondering why we ask for certain things, such as your phone number or ZIP code. More importantly, what happens now that you’ve submitted your information? We’ll explain the whole process to you in our step-by-step ...
If a medical device, drug or store-bought product injures you, there’s nothing frivolous about filing a claim. Why do we say this? Because sometimes, there’s no way to know about things like long-term side effects or defective medical device designs until it’s too late. We, the American public, should have high safety and effectiveness standards ...
