Blogs

Receive a Large Back Pay Amount? How California Disability Winners Can Protect Their Benefits
Winning a Social Security Disability claim brings immense relief. For many disabled individuals, the victory comes with a substantial lump-sum check for retroactive benefits—often $15,000,

The New USCIS Signature Rule: Why a “Digital Shortcut” Could Cost You Thousands
Most people think a signature is just a boring formality. We don’t sign documents with a pen as often as we used to. If

Changing Your Address with USCIS is Turning into a Financial Audit
For decades, filing a change of address with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) was a routine, one-minute task. If you moved, you filed out

Myth vs. Fact: Can You Become a U.S. Citizen While Receiving Disability Benefits?
As an attorney who handles both Immigration and Social Security Disability (SSDI/SSI), I often hear from clients who are terrified to apply for citizenship. They’ve

5 Things To Strengthen Your Green Card Application Before The Public Charge Rules Change
Most immigrants applying for a green card based on a family-based petition must prove that they will not be a “public charge.” This means the

Why Social Security delays or denies disability claims for permanent residents and new citizens (And how to fix problems before you apply)
I often receive calls from prospective clients who are shocked to receive a denial letter from the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) because they did not
California monthly SSI payment amounts for 2008
I am often asked how much money will I get when I win my Social Security case and collect SSI. I will give you a
Social Security’s plan to reduce its hearing backlog and prevent its reocurrence
The Social Security Administration (“SSA”) recently released its “Performance and Accountability Report” for Fiscal Year 2008. The report is quite detailed but what is of
Social Security will process disability cases faster for “compassionate” cases
Acknowledging the long backlog of disability cases, the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) began a new program last month to process cases faster for people who
9th Circuit rules that claimant’s pain testimony is true absent ALJ providing specific clear and convincing reasons for rejection
On November 5th, 2008, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, CA, issued a new decision very helpful to claimants. In Vasquez v.
SL Bar Association offers continuing education credit to attorneys in real life
I am going to write a little off topic today about an upcoming event that will be taking place on the online virtual world of
Waiting times for a hearing in front of a Social Security Judge increase
The disability backlog at hearing offices across the United States is getting worse. According to a recent report released by the Social Security Administration (“SSA”),

