Know Your Rights to Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Benefits: Explained by Our Disability Lawyer at Silver & Silver The Employee Retirement Income Security Act, more commonly known as ERISA, is one of the most complex bodies of law rivaling even…
The coronavirus crisis has caused serious hardship for millions of Americans. Many have fallen ill or lost a loved one, while others have been forced to shutter a business or have lost a job in the resulting economic downturn, causing them to turn to social security disability benefits.
Like so many of their fellow citizens, individuals working with a disability who were laid off during the pandemic now face a stressful and uncertain future. Paying medical bills, along with living expenses, and supporting a family without a steady income can seem like an overwhelming challenge in such a historically poor job market.
At Silver & Silver, the leading Social Security Disability lawyers in the Philadelphia area, we’re dedicated to helping clients with disabilities collect the benefits they deserve. We may be able to help disabled workers who were laid off due to COVID-19 apply for Social Security Disability benefits, particularly those who are over the age of 50.
To qualify for Social Security Disability benefits, you must:
- Have held a job that was covered by Social Security.
- Suffer from a medical condition that meets eligibility requirements.
With more than 130,000 Philadelphia residents relying on Social Security benefits to either supplement their income or as their sole source of income, any changes that might put these benefits in jeopardy are cause for concern.
At Silver & Silver, our West Philly Social Security Disability attorneys have been keeping close watch over the headlines regarding this issue. A recent government proposal would make it more difficult for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries in our area and across the country to continue receiving the benefits that they deserve.
These changes, outlined in late 2019, would potentially cut off SSDI and SSI benefits for hundreds of thousands of Americans, including the elderly and children. Under this proposal, individuals who have qualified for SSDI or SSI benefits in the past would be subjected to a review every twenty-four months, whereby the government would consider anew whether they continue to qualify for these benefits. This shortening of the period before continuing benefits claims are reconsidered would mean that individuals who have in many cases waited years to prove their eligibility for these benefits would be in a state of perpetually proving their impairments are disabling.
There’s a feeling of optimism and hope in the air every time the calendar turns from one year to the next, and we all set goals and resolve to make positive changes in our lives.
This year is particularly special for those who want to see changes in our country; 2020 is an election year! On Nov. 3, registered voters can have their voices heard and show their support for the national, state, and local government leaders they feel will best represent their interests.
At Silver & Silver, the decisions of lawmakers greatly impact all our clients, whether they’re pursuing Social Security disability, personal injury, workers’ compensation, or other employment-related cases. Our Social Security attorneys in Philadelphia, PA, are especially concerned about recent rule changes proposed by the current administration that would alter the way the Social Security Administration determines eligibility. These changes are projected to cut off benefits to hundreds of thousands of disabled Americans, including seniors and children.
Every day clients come to Silver & Silver seeking guidance from a leading Social Security disability attorney in the Philadelphia County region and see firsthand the passion, dedication, time, and energy that co-founder Mike Silver, Esq. and his firm put into every case.
But you might not know the true extent of Mike’s devotion to Social Security disability claimants in this vital area of U.S. law. He is considered a pioneer in his field, and earlier this month, he was recognized for his leadership at a national conference attended by more than a thousand disability attorneys.
The National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR) celebrated its 40th anniversary at its annual conference, held Sept.11-14, 2019, in New Orleans. The prestigious professional organization took time at the conference to honor Mike for his role as one of the earliest Social Security disability law practitioners in the country and as a past president of NOSSCR.
At Silver & Silver, we take pride in serving as Social Security Disability attorneys for clients in West Chester, PA and other nearby areas. We help people secure social security benefits they need to pay their bills and support their families.
While the average American probably thinks of Social Security as “money for the elderly,” there’s quite a bit more to the program than its function as a retirement fund. Here are four interesting facts about Social Security benefits that you might not be aware of — but should be!
1. Social Security Benefits are Not Just for Seniors
Millions of workers across the country contribute to Social Security. They contribute through payroll taxes that are regularly deducted from their paychecks. While most of that money goes to providing financial support for senior citizens in retirement, it also serves as disability insurance for people who can’t work. This may be due to illness or injury. Yes, Social Security is an important resource for younger people, too! We see this all the time in our practice: Workers suffer an accident or experience a health crisis that puts their ability to support their family in jeopardy. For these people, Social Security Disability is a vital lifeline.
As some of the most accomplished lawyers in Philadelphia, Silver & Silver understands a thing or two about getting clients what they lawfully deserve. Did you know that Americans with permanent disabilities could be eligible for total student loan forgiveness? In this article, we briefly explain the process of applying for disability-related student loan forgiveness.
The United States Department of Education has a program called Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) discharge, which allows disabled individuals who are unable to pay off their student loans to apply for total debt forgiveness. Are you disabled and drowning in student debt? Continue reading to learn more about TPD eligibility and how to apply for forgiveness.
Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits (SSD) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI)? Make sure you do it right!
Who Runs the Social Security Disability Program (SSDP)?
Social Security disability benefits are reserved for Americans who are “disabled,” as defined by the SSDP. However, you must meet the SSDP’s earnings requirements to qualify for disability benefits. Your employment history is also taken into consideration.
Mike Silver and Joseph Silver authored a recent article published on The Legal Intelligencer titled “Recent Changes in Social Security Rules Create Additional Hurdles for Disabled.”