On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC posted in social security disability on Monday, January 8, 2018. Some individuals in California with a short-term disability that keeps them from working may consider applying for benefits from Social Security to cover this period of time. Using Social Security for this purpose isn't possible due to the requirements that need to be met to apply for disability benefits. Even so, disability beneficiaries may be able to suspend or st...
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How some mental conditions affect SSI and SSD benefit eligibility
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC posted in social security disability on Friday, January 5, 2018. In California and the rest of the U.S., people with disabling mental conditions may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). The Social Security Administration has a disability guidebook listing all the severity requirements that applicants must satisfy in order to receive benefits. Anxiety, depression, schizo...
Long-term care and Medicaid planning: It's time to take action
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC posted in blog on Wednesday, January 3, 2018. With people living longer than ever before, it's important to consider the fact that you may require long-term care at some point in the future. Adding to this, you don't want to lose sight of the fact that long-term care can be costly.It doesn't matter if you receive care in a nursing facility or at home, the cost can quickly add up. As a result, it's not out of the question for your ...
There is more than one way to reduce estate taxes
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC posted in blog on Tuesday, January 2, 2018. Like many people, you may be concerned about estate taxes. Fortunately, when creating an estate plan, there are many things you can do to give yourself peace of mind. Here are some of the many methods to consider if you want to reduce your estate taxes: Marital transfers. As long as your spouse is not a non-citizen, lifetime gifts are not subject to estate taxes. Gifts to children and gr...
Medical records for SSD claims
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC posted in social security disability on Thursday, December 28, 2017. California residents that apply for Social Security Disability benefits have to submit medical records that verify their conditions. The records should come from the treating physician, and they should detail when the impairment began and how it will develop in the future. The physician will also be able to document any mental or physical restrictions the conditi...
Exploring the intangible side of estate planning
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC posted in trusts & trust administration on Wednesday, December 27, 2017. An estate plan can be a critical part of creating a future for people in California and across the United States. Not only does estate planning help to distribute assets clearly through the use of wills, trusts, insurance and other instruments, it also helps to ease the period after death for heirs and calm the emotional pain following the loss of a loved one...
SSA disregards short-terms needs of disabled people
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC posted in social security disability on Friday, December 22, 2017. California residents who are confronted by long-term disability could face significant financial hardships while waiting for an answer about disability benefits from the Social Security Administration. Strict requirements guide eligibility for benefits, and the agency denies many applicants. Although an appeals process is in place, years might pass before the agenc...
People too often overlook long-term care planning
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC posted in long term care planning on Wednesday, December 20, 2017. Providing for long-term care is among the most important reasons for California residents to develop an estate plan, and yet many underestimate their need for it. The U.S. government estimates that 70 percent of people who are currently 65 years old will require long-term care of some kind during their lives. The costs associated with this type of care are often un...
The wait after getting approved for disability benefits
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC posted in social security disability on Friday, December 15, 2017. Exactly when a California resident who has been approved for disability benefits receives those benefits depends on a few factors. Generally, those who have gotten approval after an initial application will get their benefits sooner than those who get it at the hearing level. As a general rule, the Social Security Administration strives to complete cases in a timel...
Handling digital accounts for deceased loved ones
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC posted in estate administration & probate on Wednesday, December 13, 2017. One aspect of estate planning California residents may not pay attention to is that of their digital footprint. Thanks to the policies of tech companies and confusing laws, it can be difficult for surviving loved ones to deal with the online records left behind by a loved one. Many people have opted to go paperless. This means the electronic delivery of bil...