In October, the Social Security Administration announced the Social Security Disability Insurance cost of living adjustment for 2022. The agency bases the increase on changes in the Consumer Price Index from fall 2020 to fall 2021. If you receive SSDI, review the facts about the upcoming 2022 COLA. COLA increase Your SSDI benefits will increase by 5.9% in 2022. For example, if you receive $2,000 per month in 2021, your 2022 benefits will be $2118. According to AP News, the change represents the largest SSDI increase in 39 years. The SSA reports the average monthly benefit in January 2022 will ..read more

The Social Security Disability Insurance program can not legally deny a claim based solely on the claimant having a substance abuse problem. However, there are circumstances where substance abuse could contribute to a denial. How does substance abuse impact SSDI eligibility? Impact of substance abuse on SSDI eligibility The Social Security Administration may reject a claim for benefits if there is evidence that substance abuse caused or contributed to the functional or physical limitations that caused your disability. There must be evidence of a substance use disorder in your medical record fo ..read more

Can you qualify to submit a claim for workers’ compensation benefits if you sustain an injury in a vehicle accident during the workday? That depends. The “going and coming” rule may play a role in determining your eligibility for coverage in this situation. What it is Workers’ compensation covers a great many work-related injuries and you do not have to be in an office or on a job site to qualify for benefits. You might, for instance, suffer an injury during the annual company picnic in a public park. However, workers’ compensation does not cover the commute to and from your place of employmen ..read more

Can you qualify to submit a claim for workers’ compensation benefits if you sustain an injury in a vehicle accident during the workday? That depends. The “going and coming” rule may play a role in determining your eligibility for coverage in this situation. What it is Workers’ compensation covers a great many work-related injuries and you do not have to be in an office or on a job site to qualify for benefits. You might, for instance, suffer an injury during the annual company picnic in a public park. However, workers’ compensation does not cover the commute to and from your place of employmen ..read more

As parents know, the combination of inexperience and immaturity makes driving risky for teens. To help families make wise choices in the cars teens drive, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Consumer Reports (CR) compiled lists of the safest and most reliable vehicles. A little background A vehicle crash can happen in an instant causing devastating injuries. Safety for young drivers is paramount. The list of vehicles IIHS and CR deemed safest for teens to drive were also chosen for reasons of reliability and affordability. The recommended vehicles include small cars, midsize ..read more

As parents know, the combination of inexperience and immaturity makes driving risky for teens. To help families make wise choices in the cars teens drive, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Consumer Reports (CR) compiled lists of the safest and most reliable vehicles. A little background A vehicle crash can happen in an instant causing devastating injuries. Safety for young drivers is paramount. The list of vehicles IIHS and CR deemed safest for teens to drive were also chosen for reasons of reliability and affordability. The recommended vehicles include small cars, midsize ..read more

Few life events have the potential to be scarier than suffering a catastrophic injury at work. After all, not only must you deal with pain and a long recovery, but you may not be able to work or support yourself and your family members financially. Fortunately, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits to help you manage your work-related injury.   Workers’ compensation mediation is an informal way to resolve disputes. With mediation, you and your employer or its insurance provider meet with a neutral third party to come up with a resolution for your claim. The ..read more

Injuries on the job happen in many ways. When they do, people often need medical and rehabilitative services to fully heal. In the state of Georgia, workers can receive workers’ compensation benefits of up to two-thirds of their average weekly salary, or a maximum of $675 per week, to help cover costs. Sometimes, understanding the details of these benefits can be confusing. For example, what happens when work-related injuries involve a motor vehicle accident? If you were recently injured while driving for your job, you may qualify for workers’ comp, depending on your circumstances. When you we ..read more

Thankfully, the Social Security Administration accepted your application for disability benefits. How long should you expect to receive payments? The SSA describes circumstances that may change your benefits eligibility. Use their guidelines to protect your financial health while adjusting to a debilitating injury or illness. Disability review Occasionally, the SSA reviews benefits recipients’ medical condition. When you should expect a periodic review depends on your prognosis. If doctors do not expect your condition to improve, anticipate a review no earlier than seven years. With expected m ..read more

When it comes to Social Security disability benefits, denials are common, especially for many first-time filers. The claims process is a complex and lengthy one. You might feel your health and circumstances make you a prime candidate for benefits. However, the Social Security Administration uses its own criteria to evaluate SSDI benefits claims. Applicants who receive denials for their claims may qualify to appeal. Whether this is your first-time filing for Social Security benefits, or you plan to file an appeal, review the following common reasons for SSDI claim denials so you can avoid them ..read more