The Compassionate Allowances program quickly identifies claims where the applicant’s medical condition or disease clearly meets Social Security’s statutory standard for disability. Due to the severe nature of many of these conditions, these claims are often allowed based on medical confirmation of the diagnosis alone. Nine new Compassionate Allowances (CAL) conditions and revisions to two… Read more: SSA Expands List of Compassionate Allowances

On Friday, July 12, 2024, the Social Security Administration announced that customers who created an online account (e.g., my Social Security account) before September 18, 2021, will soon be required to transition to a Login.gov account to continue access to their online services. Over five million of these account holders have already transitioned to Login.gov. The agency is… Read more: SSA: Changes to Accessing Online Services

According to an article on VA News, all Veterans exposed to toxins and other hazards during military service are now eligible for VA health care. Eligible Veterans will be able to enroll directly in VA health care without first applying for VA benefits. Click here to read the full article and to find out how… Read more: Health Care Expanded to All Veterans Exposed to Toxins

Youth homelessness is a complex issue that intersects with multiple public and private entities. The SOAR (SSI/SSDI, Outreach, Access, and Recovery) program funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) can help. SOAR increases access to Social Security disability benefits for eligible adults and children who: Click here to read the full article.

We would like to take a moment to thank all of the clients, doctors, attorneys, and other professionals that stopped by to celebrate our open house last week. Thank you to the Auburn Chamber of Commerce for a wonderful ribbon cutting ceremony. We are so happy to have a new space in Auburn that will… Read more: Thank You for a Successful Open House

Our office will be closed from Wednesday, 11/22/2023 to Friday, 11/24/2023. We will resume normal business hours next week. We wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.

It’s official! We will be moving to a new office location! Beginning December 1, you will find us at: 835-B North Dean Road, Auburn, AL 36830 We look forward to serving our clients in our new space.

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” – John F. Kennedy President Kennedy, a Veteran himself, reminds us that our actions are the only way to actually show our immense appreciation for their service. Today should be a testament… Read more: Honoring Those Who Served

On October 30, 2023, Jennifer Cronenberg shared this article on the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives forum: “SSA recently released ‘Initial and Reconsideration Processing Times Data’ as of February 24, 2023. According to the data, the National Average processing time at the Initial level is 211 days, while the National Average processing time… Read more: SSA Processing Times Jump Nearly 35 Percent from 2021

Kilolo Kijakazi, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, today announced 12 new Compassionate Allowances conditions: The Compassionate Allowances program quickly identifies claims where the applicant’s medical condition or disease clearly meets Social Security’s statutory standard for disability. Due to the severe nature of many of these conditions, these claims are often allowed based on medical confirmation… Read more: Social Security Announced 12 New Compassionate Allowances Conditions

Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 71 million Americans will increase 3.2 percent in 2024, the Social Security Administration announced today. On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by more than $50 per month starting in January. See the full article here.

Congratulations to Heather on her Appeals Council victory! Statistically, a majority of the Appeals Council actions are denied. Between 2014 and 2020 the favorable rate at the Appeals Council was 1% or less, meaning that Heather has made a very significant impact within our firm. This goes to show how dedicated she is to each… Read more: Congratulations to Heather on her Appeals Council Victory

Our community has several programs to help individuals with disabilities. Check out the Auburn University Eagles Program. The program provides a post-secondary education opportunity for students with intellectual disabilities to engage in a two or four-year campus experience to help students achieve their employment and independent living goals upon successful completion of the program.

A person does not have to remain on Social Security Disability forever. Check out these programs that help people receiving disability return to the workplace and/or achieve self-support. Ticket to Work ProgramProgram to Achieve Self-Support (PASS)

Applying for veteran’s benefits requires a lot of time, paperwork, and energy. Most veterans apply the first time on their own or with the help of a veteran service organization. Obviously, some receive approval with this first application. Yet the story for most veterans begins with rejection. So, what do you do after this rejection?… Read more: Choosing a VA Authorized Attorney

One out of every four 20-year-olds will become disabled before reaching retirement age, according to Social Security Administration statistics.  Would you or your family be prepared? The Social Security Administration has two major programs that provide benefits to disabled individuals: Social Security Disability Insurance (“SSDI”) and Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”). SSDI is similar to an… Read more: Social Security Basics