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Ortiz Law Firm | National Disability Law Firm
Ortiz Law Firm is dedicated to helping people recover the disability benefits they deserve. We handle group Long Term Disability (LTD) claims, individual disability insurance policy claims, ERISA disability claims, and Social Security Disability claims.
Are you ready to rejoin the workforce? A trial work period allows you to test the waters. During a trial work period, a beneficiary receiving Social Security disability benefits may test his or her ability to work and still be considered disabled. Social Security does not consider services performed during the trial work period as …
When applying for disability insurance benefits, one crucial requirement is having medical evidence to support your claim. Your doctor may need to complete specific paperwork to support your claim, such as an Attending Physician’s Statement (APS) or Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) form. These forms detail your diagnoses, treatment, and any …
According to the CDC, about 61 million adults in the United States have a disability. That means 1 in 4 adults have some disability, whether back problems, autoimmune disorders, heart diseases, vision impairment, or one of many other disabling medical conditions. Living with a disabling condition is tough enough on its own, but one of …
Filing a claim for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits can be long and complicated. You must avoid the common mistakes that most claimants make to improve your chances of being approved for Social Security Disability.
The top 4 reasons Social Security Disability Claims for Mental Illness get denied are: Social Security disability attorney Nick Ortiz provides more detail on these issues below. Common Reasons the SSA Denies Claims for Mental Health Your Medical Records Are Illegible or Don’t Provide Enough Information One of the biggest problems we face in a …
Social Security disability, survivor, and retirement benefits are paid in the month after they are payable. The benefit payment day is determined by the day of the month the payment recipient was born. Schedule For Social Security Disability Payments For beneficiaries born between the 1st of the month and the 10th of the month, benefits …
Sign up for our no cost, online training webinar and you will get exclusive training with Social Security disability attorney Nick Ortiz. He will show you how to take control and build a winning claim for Social Security disability benefits without hiring an attorney. Attendees will learn: Click here to register for the 100% no-cost online Training …
Note: This form is also known as an Attending Physician Statement (APS) or a Medical Source Statement (MSS). We will use these terms interchangeably throughout the rest of this article. What Is A Residual Functional Capacity Assessment? A residual functional capacity assessment evaluates your impairment(s) and any related symptoms, such as pain, …
When you apply for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (DIB, also called SSDI or RSDI), Social Security does not tell you that you can (or should) hire a Social Security disability attorney to assist you in your claim. You Have The Right To Representation From The Beginning Many claimants know they can hire an attorney …
A “closed period” of benefits may be appropriate in Social Security disability claims where the claimant’s impairment has lasted for a continuous period of at least 12 months but improves to the point where the claimant is no longer disabled at the time the claim is ultimately decided (in other words, at the time of …
Previously, the “Treating Physician Rule” provided that substantial weight should be given to the impairment opinions given by a treating doctor in a Social Security Disability Insurance claim. However, starting March 27, 2017, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will no longer prioritize the opinions of your personal doctors. …
The Social Security Administration uses a five-step sequential evaluation process to decide whether you are disabled. These rules apply to you if you file any of the following applications for Social Security disability benefits: Supplemental Security Income benefits, Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, child’s insurance benefits, and …
The Appeals Council is the final level of administrative appeal following an unfavorable decision from an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) in Social Security disability claims. Sometimes, evidence may not reach the ALJ before your hearing. Fortunately, you can still submit new evidence to the Appeals Council, provided the following conditions are …
I have seen other attorneys post that a criminal background will not keep a claimant from receiving Social Security disability benefits as long as the claimant does not have an outstanding felony warrant. This is mostly correct. However, there is one additional “felony impairment” rule: a claimant cannot receive Title II Disability Insurance …
During the 1950s and1960s, the Social Security Administration published comic books relating to Social Security disability benefits and other Social Security issues in an effort to reach the younger individuals. Apparently, Social Security representatives recognized that comic books were an effective method of communicating with the youth of those …
AARP recently launched its Social Security Benefits Calculator, a planning resource to help Americans decide when to claim benefits and to assist them in preparing for retirement. Many people question when they should claim Social Security benefits. Amazingly, more than half of those claiming retirement benefits in 2009 elected to receive benefits …
The rules and requirements to qualify for Social Security disability cases are relatively straightforward. In short, to be eligible for either Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits, a claimant must satisfy both the medical and non-medical (financial) requirements for benefits. You …
Today, the National Review published a partisan attack on the organization Binder & Binder and collaterally on the Social Security Disability system of benefits in an article titled Binder on Binder & Binder. Notice that I called Binder & Binder an organization, not a law firm. This is by choice, as it is not really …
Navigating the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claim process can be challenging and lengthy. Many claimants wait months for a decision on their claims, which often creates financial hardships for them. There is not much you can do to speed up the application process. If the SSA denies your …
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is committed to providing Social Security disability benefits quickly to claimants whose medical conditions are so serious that they clearly meet Social Security’s strict disability standards. Social Security’s two fast-track processes, Quick Disability Determination (QDD) and Compassionate Allowances (CAL), …
National numbers and statistics show approximately 70% of all initial applications for Social Security disability benefits are denied by the Social Security Administration (SSA). This website is dedicated to educating you about the Social Security disability application and appeal process to try and increase your chance of winning your disability …
This is where many claimants go wrong. I cannot tell you how many times I have spoken with Social Security disability claimants who received an unfavorable Notice of Determination or Notice of Reconsideration, and then failed to take immediate action. It happens for many reasons. They put the letter aside out of frustration or despair. The claimant …
Note: SSR 06-03p was Rescinded by Federal Register Notice Vol. 82, No. 57, page 15263, effective March 27, 2017 SSR 06-03p is a Policy Interpretation Ruling in SSDI and SSI disability claims titled ‘Considering Opinions and Other Evidence from Sources Who Are Not “Acceptable Medical Sources” in Disability Claims; Considering Decisions on …
It doesn’t happen very often, but every now and again a claimant will ask me if the Social Security Administration conducts surveillance to use against the claimant in processing continuing disability review (“CDR”) claims. Up until this weekend, I would have said, “No. Although possible, I have never heard of the Social Security Administration …