Category: Disability

Disability, Social Security

Faster Processing of Disability Claims for People with Alzheimer’s Disease

By Vonda Van Til, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Today, more than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease.  Since the onset of Alzheimer’s can occur in people before they retire, it may strike during an individual’s working years;  preventing gainful employment as the disease progresses.  As a result, people must come to grips with a devastating diagnosis while losing their salary and benefits.  … Continue reading Faster Processing of Disability Claims for People with Alzheimer’s Disease

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Disability, Elder Law of Michigan, Social Security

Social Security Benefits for Children with Disabilities

By Vonda Van Til, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist SSA’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program helps children with qualifying disabilities and their families.  For this program, a child must meet all of the following requirements to be considered disabled and medically eligible: The child must have a medical condition, or a combination of conditions, that result in “marked and severe functional limitations.” This means that … Continue reading Social Security Benefits for Children with Disabilities

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Disability, Elder Law of Michigan, Social Security

Certain disability payments and workers’ compensation may affect Social Security benefits

By Vonda Vantil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Many people working nowadays have more than one job. This means they have several sources of income. It’s important to keep in mind that having multiple sources of income can sometimes affect your Social Security benefits; but, it depends on the source. Disability payments from private sources, such as private pensions or insurance benefits, don’t affect your … Continue reading Certain disability payments and workers’ compensation may affect Social Security benefits

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Disability, Elder Law of Michigan, Social Security

Social Security Reinstates Reconsideration Appeal Level of Disability Process in Michigan

By Vonda VanTil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist The Social Security Administration announced the reinstatement of the reconsideration, the first step in the disability appeal process, in Michigan beginning on October 1.  This year, seven additional states–Alabama, California, Colorado, Louisiana, New Hampshire, New York, and Pennsylvania–reinstated the reconsideration. A level of Social Security’s national disability appeals process since 1959, the reconsideration step was eliminated in … Continue reading Social Security Reinstates Reconsideration Appeal Level of Disability Process in Michigan

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Disability, Elder Law of Michigan, Money and Finances, Planning for the Future, senior independence, Social Security, Tips

Social Security Can Help You Get Back to Work

By Vonda VanTil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Having a job means different things to different people, but it can give you a sense of self, a community to rely on, and much-needed structure. Some people define themselves through their work. Others may enjoy the social aspect of their jobs. If you rely on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments or Social Security Disability (SSDI) benefits … Continue reading Social Security Can Help You Get Back to Work

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Disability, seniors, Social Security

Social Security’s Definition of Disability

By Vonda Vantil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist This month marks the 29th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990. Disability affects millions of Americans. It can inhibit peoples’ quality of life and their ability earn a living. Social Security is here to help you and your family, but there are … Continue reading Social Security’s Definition of Disability

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Disability, FYI, Health, medical, Medicare/Medicaid, Money and Finances, Planning for the Future, Retirement, senior independence, seniors, Social Security, SSI, veterans

Social Security Q&A Part 21

By Vonda VanTil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Question: What is substantial gainful activity (SGA)? Answer: We use the term “substantial gainful activity,” or “SGA,” to describe a level of work activity and earnings. Work is “substantial” if it involves doing significant physical or mental activities or a combination of both. If you earn more than a certain amount and are doing productive work, we … Continue reading Social Security Q&A Part 21

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Disability, FYI, Michigan, senior independence

Waves or Woods?

By Nicholas Goodman, MiCAFE Network Specialist at Elder Law of Michigan As Michigan summers are never as long as we’d like, many people take advantage of the beautiful weather to explore the state. For people who use wheelchairs, however, spontaneous excursions are not always feasible due to inaccessible terrain or buildings. Here are some resources for exploring nature in Michigan. Michigan is famous for its … Continue reading Waves or Woods?

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Disability, divorce, FYI, Money and Finances, Planning for the Future, Retirement, seniors, Social Security

Understanding Social Security Benefits

By Vonda VanTil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Social Security touches the lives of nearly every American, whether at the birth of a child, the loss of a loved one, the onset of a disability, or the transition from work to retirement. For more than 80 years, our programs have contributed to the financial security of the elderly and the disabled. Social Security replaces a … Continue reading Understanding Social Security Benefits

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A question mark drawn in white chalk on a blackboard.
Disability, FYI, Health, medical, Medicare/Medicaid, Money and Finances, Planning for the Future, Retirement, senior independence, seniors, Social Security, SSI, veterans

Social Security Q&A Part 20

By: Vonda VanTil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Question: Is it true I can save about $4,900 per year if I qualify for Social Security’s Extra Help with the Medicare prescription drug program? Answer: Yes. If your income and resources meet the requirements, you can save nearly $4,900 in prescription costs each year. Resource limits for 2018 are $14,100 (or $28,150 if you are married … Continue reading Social Security Q&A Part 20

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