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Top 5 Reasons for K-1 Fiancé Visa Rejection or Denial
Having your fiancé(e) visa rejected or denied for any reason can seem like a devastating blow to your future marriage plans. Under immigration law, the K-1 visa allows your partner to live with you in the United States after the wedding. Unfortunately, thousands of fiancé(e) visas are rejected or denied every year. In many cases,…
How Long Do I Have to Work to Qualify for Disability?
The length of time you must work before qualifying for Social Security Disability (SSD) depends on several factors. When applying for disability benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) considers your age and the number of years you have worked. However, your recent employment history is also a factor when determining eligibility for disability benefits. Not…
SSA Wants Me to Attend a Consultative Examination (CE): What Should I Know?
If you apply for Social Security disability benefits, you may have to attend a consultative examination (CE) (at no cost to you). The reason for attending the CE is because the Social Security Administration (SSA) needs more information to process your claim. It can be worrying receiving a request to attend a consultative examination. However,…
Social Security Disability and Getting Married: Will I Lose My Disability Benefits?
Getting married is a significant decision in your life. It is not only about making a lifelong commitment to your beloved partner. It is also a decision that can affect your source of income if you are collecting SSDI or SSI benefits. Whether marriage will affect your Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income…
Can I Apply for Social Security Disability if My Condition is Infrequent or Intermittent?
Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits are set in place to support those unable to work due to a life-changing, long-term medical condition or conditions. Some health impairments only manifest themselves sporadically, and people with these kinds of conditions can still suffer from severe physical or mental health effects that prevent them from performing any work…
Can You Get Social Security Disability for Drug or Alcohol Addiction?
Approximately 20.3 million people in the US have a substance use disorder, which can cause a range of severe physical and mental health problems. Unlike in the past, since 1997, substance abuse or addiction is not considered a disabling medical condition. Does that mean a person with a substance use disorder can not obtain SSDI…
Everything You Need to Know about the Biden Immigration Plan To Date
Joe Biden stepped into the office ready to work immediately on immigration law. One of his most notable is the proposed US Citizenship Act of 2021. If it passes into law, this act will provide an eight-year path to US citizenship for over eleven million undocumented immigrants. Moreover, it will also solidify the existing DACA…
Can I Receive Increased SSD Benefits If My Medical Conditions Worsen, Or If I Develop New Medical Conditions?
If you are unable to work because of a severe medical condition, or a combination of severe conditions, Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (SSD or SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income Disability benefits (SSI or SSID) might be your only source of income. These benefits provide you with a consistent income you can rely on to…
Will Social Security Consider a Chiropractor’s Opinion for Disability Involving Back Pain?
People who apply for Social Security Disability due to back problems are often denied benefits because they do not have the right medical documentation. So what does the Social Security Administration (SSA) consider proper medical documentation? The answer to this is documented in their description of acceptable medical treatment sources. If you are trying to…
How Does a Social Security Disability Lawyer Get Paid?
Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits is not easy — especially if you do not have an experienced disability attorney at your side. A lawyer can make the process much more streamlined and less stressful for you. But if you are filing for disability, appealing a denial or getting ready for a disability hearing,…
Top 3 Things You Need to Know About an Immigration Sponsor
US immigration laws are strict and demanding. Knowing the ins and outs of current US immigration laws can help you navigate the process. And, having an experienced attorney at your side can lower your stress. This post will explain the top three things you need to know about sponsoring an immigrant through the family-based “green…
Get Your SSD Benefits Claim Approved with These Top 7 Tips
It can take up to six months or longer for an initial SSD application to process. Of all the people who apply for SSD benefits, only approximately 35% get approved at the initial application level. So what is the biggest reason why people do not get approved for Social Security Disability benefits? They fail to…
Can I Change Lawyers in the Middle of a Social Security Disability Case?
Applying for Social Security Disability is stressful and can take a long time to finalize. Working with an attorney, you do not mesh with does not make it any easier. If you are unhappy with your Social Security Disability lawyer, can you fire them? Short answer, yes. But the devil is always in the details. …
Top Reasons Why It Is a Good Idea to Have a Lawyer at Your Social Security Disability Hearing
The Social Security Act is a complex area of the legal field. As such, it is a good idea to have an experienced attorney at your side to navigate these complicated regulations. Having an attorney represent you at your Social Security Disability hearing will drastically improve your chances of a favorable outcome. Here are the…
Everything You Need to Know About Auxiliary Benefits for Dependents
Once you obtain Social Security disability benefits, you might think that is the only benefit available to your family. Actually, your children and or spouse may also be able to receive benefits through the Social Security Disability program based on your being found disabled. These benefits are called auxiliary benefits and are used for dependents…
Immigration Overhaul: Changes to the H-1B Visa Program You Should Know About
In early October, the Trump Administration announced plans to revamp the H-1B visa program. The changes included limiting the number of specialty jobs open to H-1B visa holders. The new rules will directly impact both H-1B workers and the tech giants who often hire them through the program. Here is what else you need to…
My Disability Benefits Were Denied: Where Can I Get Expert Advice?
It is devastating to learn that your application for Social Security Disability benefits was denied. Disability benefits are a financial lifeline to support yourself and your family. If a long-term or permanent disability prevents you from working, you may be wondering what to do next. After receiving notice of the Social Security Disability benefits denial,…
Does Social Security Disability Impact Long-term Disability Insurance?
One in four US adults lives with a disability. Fortunately, there may be help available to you if you can not work due to an accident or a medical condition, including private long-term disability insurance benefits and Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (SSDI). Depending on your situation, you may be able to receive both types…
What Kind of Doctors Should I See To Strengthen My Disability Case?
When you apply for Social Security Disability benefits, you have to provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) with adequate medical records and other evidence documenting your inability to work to support your case. In your application, you will list your medical care providers and you need to ensure that the SSA office receives all pertinent…
Can I Work Part-Time While Receiving Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits (SSDI)?
It is possible to receive Social Security disability benefits if you are working part-time. However, there are strict limits as to how much you can work and earn while getting Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). But in some cases, you may take part in “work incentives” while receiving the full amount of SSDI. Understanding the…
Can Unemployment Benefits Affect Your SSDI Case? Attorney Sara J. Frankel Explains
Since the start of the coronavirus crisis, an average of one million Americans per week have filed for unemployment benefits. For those also trying to obtain Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, many wonder if receiving unemployment can impact their SSDI case. Experienced disability attorney Sara J. Frankel explains how unemployment benefits could jeopardize your…
How Workers’ Compensation and Temporary Disability Payments Impact Social Security Disability Insurance benefits?
Receiving Temporary Disability Benefits (TDI) or Workers’ Compensation (WC) can reduce your Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (SSDI). Although it is possible to receive both WC or TDI and SSDI, the combined total of these benefits can not be more than 80% of your previous average earnings. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will generally adjust…
Changes to the DACA Program: What You Need to Know
Despite a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling to reinstate/continue the DACA program, the Trump administration has instead severely restricted it. On July 28, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security issued a memorandum, resulting in significant changes to the DACA program and bringing confusion to immigration law. Here are key factors you need to know about…
What You Need to Know About Continuing Disability Reviews
Continuing Disability Reviews (CDR) evaluate your ability to return to work if you are already receiving disability benefits. Anyone receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) must be able to prove their medical conditions continue to prevent them from working when the Social Security Administration (SSA), initiates a CDR. Your benefits…
Temporary Changes to USCIS in Response to COVID-19
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has made recent changes in their operations in response to COVID-19. Changes include plans for reopening USCIS facilities after suspending all in-person services, including interviews and biometrics appointments, from March 18 to June 3, 2020; acceptance of photocopies in place of original signatures; and automatic extensions for Requests…
What Are Retroactive Disability Payments?
Most people who qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) will not receive their benefits immediately. It may take several weeks or even up to several months after an award of benefits for a claimant (applicant) to start receiving their benefits (both for the start of individual monthly payments and the payment of any retroactive…
What Can a Social Security Disability Attorney Do to Help Me Win My Case?
Are you applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits or Supplemental Security Income disability (SSI) benefits? Did you know that working with an attorney who specializes in Social Security and SSI disability cases will drastically improve your chances of having your claim approved? This is what you need to know about hiring a Social…
How to Get Medical Evidence for Your Disability Claim using Telemedicine
If you file a Social Security disability (SSDI, SSI) claim, you will need to provide medical proof that you have physical, mental health, or cognitive impairments preventing you from working. Accurate, consistent, and timely medical evidence is the cornerstone of a strong SSDI and or SSI benefits claim. However, due to the global COVID-19 pandemic,…
Should I Agree To a Social Disability Hearing over Telephone?
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has temporarily changed how disability hearings function. Due to social distancing requirements, all Social Security district and field offices and hearing offices have been closed, and in-person hearings have been canceled for the foreseeable future. Social Security Disability Hearing Options During COVID-19 Pandemic However, people…
How is COVID-19 Impacting Immigration to the United States?
When going through the immigration process to the United States, sometimes things out of your control can impact your case. Most recently, the COVID-19 global pandemic has affected all international travel, including immigration to the United States. If you are a nonimmigrant visa holder or an immigrant, your case may be interrupted or affected by…
Can I Bring a Family Member to a Disability Hearing?
Do you have a Social Security disability hearing coming up? It is natural to feel nervous or apprehensive about your approaching disability hearing. Because of this, many of our clients ask if they can bring a family member or friend to the hearing for emotional support. Here is what you need to know about having…
How Long Does a Social Security Disability Hearing Last?
If you are scheduled to go before a judge for a disability hearing at the Social Security Administration, Office of Hearings Operations (the Social Security “court”), you might have some questions about what the experience will be like. Often, our clients ask us, “How long does a Social Security Disability hearing last?” The answer may…
Conditional Permanent Residency (CR1) and Form I-75: What You Need to Know
Defining Conditional Residency (CR1) If you are an immigrant married to a US citizen or permanent resident for less than two years when your marriage related visa was approved, you will receive a “conditional green card” that expires after 24 months. So what does this mean for you and your spouse? Having a “conditional green…
What A Vocational Expert Is And Why They Matter For Your SSDI or SSI Disability Hearing
Vocational Experts and Your Mass If you have a Social Security disability hearing coming up, a vocational expert witness will likely be hired by the agency to give testimony at the hearing. But what exactly is a vocational expert and what impact does their testimony have on your case? Vocational Experts and Your Massachusetts SSA…
Can You Get Veterans Disability Benefits and Social Security Disability Benefits Simultaneously?
Serving in the military can be the most rewarding and demanding experience that many Americans go through in their lives. The physical and or psychological toll placed on our soldiers often means many are left either partially or fully disabled. In fact, close to 41 percent of military service members who joined a branch of…
Important Reasons Why You Need to Be Patient When Waiting for a Disability Hearing Decision
When your disability hearing concludes, arm yourself with patience and do not expect a quick turnaround by the Administrative Law Judge when rendering a decision in your case. Many people become very anxious or worried during the wait to receive the hearing decision in writing. This is totally understandable since the wait is forcing you…
Do I need a lawyer to represent me at a Social Security disability hearing?
When you apply for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration, expect challenges along the way, including a large amount of paperwork that needs to be completed and the potential denial of your benefits application. There is also a good chance you may need to present the case at a disability hearing, but there is…
Social Security Disability Hearing – Important Info You Need to Know
If your application for Social Security disability or SSI disability benefits was denied, and your subsequent request for reconsideration was also denied, you may be feeling dejected, scared and unsure about the future. Do not get discouraged. You have the right to request a disability hearing where you can present your case and explain why…
Do I Need a Lawyer to Appeal a Social Security Disability/SSI Benefits Claim Denial?
If you applied for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration, do not be surprised if you receive a denial. Why? Because the vast majority of disability benefit claims are initially denied. In fact, roughly 67 percent of initial disability benefit claims are denied, according to the SSA website. Furthermore, requests for reconsideration (the appeal…