Decisions in Social Security Disability cases are highly driven by your age, particularly when you reach the age of 50 or 55. Many decisions hinge entirely on your age, and you’re awarded only as of when you reach the appropriate date of birth corresponding with the favorable age category. Sometimes, age categories are applied in …
Tightening of Disability Program Comes at the Expense of Those with Mental Illnesses

Those us familiar with the workings of the Social Security Disability program have noticed, nationwide, a severe decline in the allowance rate – particularly at the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) level of review. Our perception has been that mental and psychological cases aren’t being awarded as much as they used to be in the past …
CDI (Cooperative Disability Investigations Unit) Reports Becoming more Common in Upstate S.C.
If you’re a disability claimant in upstate South Carolina, you should be aware that CDI investigations are becoming more common. This is a relatively new practice in disability adjudication. Historically, I used to advise client that they didn’t have to worry about being followed, tailed, investigated or otherwise checked on by the Social Security Administration …
Drawing Disability Benefits as a Widow or a Surviving Divorced Spouse
You may qualify for additional monthly disability benefits if you are a widow or a surviving divorced spouse. WIDOW BENEFITS Under certain circumstances, a disabled widow or widower of an insured wage earner may receive benefits on the deceased spouse’s earnings record. To obtain these benefits you must meet the following criteria: 1. You are …