Social Security Appeals Disability

read moreThank you and your staff for being supportive and attentive while assisting me with my Social Security case. It's not a road I would have wanted to travel without you. I am very grateful. I found Disability Advocates on their website and engaged their services to represent me in my Railroad Retirement Disability claim. I found that they fulfilled all promises made, were knowledgeable about the rules, regulations and law relating to my disability claim and always kept me informed of the progress of my case through and including its favorable conclusion.

read moreThey provide direct services, training, materials and research concerning families in which a child, parent or grandparent has a disability or medical issue. It uses the concept of a shopping mall that allows virtual visitors to "shop" for best practice products and services to meet their needs.

read moreAmendments to the Social Security Act ease the earnings restrictions affecting social security beneficiaries working after retirement. These amendments also apply to annuitants covered by the Railroad Retirement Act. The following questions and answers provide information about this change in the law. By law, the Railroad Retirement Board applies the Social Security Act provisions for earnings restrictions to annuities payable under the Railroad Retirement Act. Therefore, under the two tier railroad system, tier I railroad retirement benefits and vested dual benefits paid by the Board to employees, spouses and survivors, as well as tier II benefits paid to survivors, are subject to earnings deductions, just like social security benefits, if earnings exceed certain exempt amounts.

read moreThe Railroad Retirement Act provides disability annuities for railroaders who become totally or occupationally disabled. Medicare coverage before age 65 is also available for totally disabled employees and those suffering from chronic kidney disease. The following questions and answers describe these disability benefits, their requirements, and how to apply for them. A total disability annuity is based on permanent disability for all employment and is payable at any age to employees with at least 10 years of railroad service, and under certain conditions to employees with five years of service after 1995.

read moreIf you believe you may be entitled to Social Security disability benefits, you may apply in person at your local Social Security office or by phone or mail. Due to inherent weaknesses in any bureaucracy handling large volumes of paper work, it is highly recommended that if at all possible you file your papers in person and save copies and receipts for everything. Initial processing of claims usually takes at least 60 to 90 days. The states, in cooperation with the Social Security Administration, assist in the handling of Social Security Disability claims by establishing an office called the Disability Determination Service (DDS) to evaluate and process the claims.