Substantial work is defined by Social Security rules as “physical and mental work that you’re paid to do by your employer. Work can be substantial even if you are doing it on a part time basis.” The Social Security Administration looks at the kinds of job duties you are doing, your skills and experience you need to do the job and most importantly: how much you actually make.

The Social Security Administration will find that work is substantial if you have gross earning of $830 per month.

You may be self-employed. If so, the Social Security Administration considers the time and value of your work, including your role in the management of the business in deciding whether or not your work is substantial.

This does become an issue in Social Security Disability cases and Sharon Barrett, your Sarasota and Pinellas County Social Security Disability attorney can help you with any problems involving substantial gainful activity defense. Use the contact form on this website to contact us today to help you with your Social Security Disability claims process.

If you would like more information about your rights regarding Social Security Disability Benefits, you can order our FREE book,"Your Rights to Social Security Disability Benefits" by submitting the form in the sidebar. We will send it out immediately along with other important information.

For more information about Social Security Disability Benefits, visit our law firm web site at CaveyLaw.com. If you would like to speak with one of our Social Security Disability Benefits attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (727) 897-9117 or simply submit our contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

Posted March 09th 2010 to The Claims Process | Comments (0)| Permalink | Trackback |  Print This Post |  Email This Post

Sharon Barrett, former Social Security Administration attorney who now practices in the Tampa Bay area, prepares for a disability hearing by obtaining and reviewing a copy of your Social Security Disability file.

This includes paperwork that has been generated by the Social Security Administration and Disability Determination Services on your behalf. This can include your initial claim form, forms that others filled out about you, including the doctors.

It is not uncommon for the Social Security Administration to have your file reviewed by a doctor who will determine you medical restrictions and limitations.

Sharon will make sure that your complete medical records are obtained and that your physician has the ability to comment on what your true restriction and limitations are based on your evaluation and treatment of you.

Additionally, Social Security Disability benefits denied lawyer Sharon Barrett, will help you prepare for the Social Security Disability hearing.

She will make sure that your medical records are current, review with you the questions that you will most likely be asked by the Social Security Administrative Law Judge or her, and prepare you to appear in front of the Administrative Law Judge.

Sharon Barrett will give every Social Security Disability applicant a sense of confidence as they go through the Social Security Disability claim’s process.

Sharon’s experience as a former Social Security Administration attorney in the Tampa Bay area provides her with a unique insight.

If you have any questions or would like more information contact us at www.caveylaw.com or give us a call at 727-894-3188.

If you would like more information about your rights regarding Social Security Disability Benefits, you can order our FREE book,"Your Rights to Social Security Disability Benefits" by submitting the form in the sidebar. We will send it out immediately along with other important information.

For more information about Social Security Disability Benefits, visit our law firm web site at CaveyLaw.com. If you would like to speak with one of our Social Security Disability Benefits attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (727) 897-9117 or simply submit our contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

Posted December 22nd 2009 to Getting a Lawyer,Social Security Disability | Comments (1)| Permalink | Trackback |  Print This Post |  Email This Post

Change is coming to the Social Security Disability Claims Process under President Obama. Has your claim for Social Security Disability Benefits been wrongfully denied? Have you waited forever for a hearing?

You should check out Barack Obama website! There is a plan to ” Empower Americans with Disabilities,” which describes Obama’s plan to resolve the nation’s Social Security Disability issues.

The plan is divided into four parts which focus on how to provide disabled Americans opportunities for the best quality of life:

1. Provide Americans with disabilities the educational opportunities to succeed
2. End discrimination and promote equal opportunity for the disabled.
3. Increase the employment rate of workers with disabilities
4. Support the independent, community-based living for Americans with disabilities

Obama supports a $150 million increase in the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) budget.

The Obama administration is committed to streamlining the application and appeal process and acknowledge that process has been grossly under funded.

- The SSA claims backlog has reached a record high of 755,000, an increase of over 440,000 since 2000.
- The average weight time for an appeals hearing is 505 days, compared to 258 days in 2000.

Cavey and Barrett, your St. Petersburg Social Security disability claims attorneys, support these efforts and will keep you advised about how and when to call your Congressional representative. We are committed to helping those in the Tampa Bay area with their denied claim for Social Security Disability Benefits.

Posted November 21st 2008 to Benefits Overview | Comments (0)| Permalink | Trackback |  Print This Post |  Email This Post

You may innocently make mistakes in applying for Social Security Disability Benefits that will hurt or even destroy your Social Security Disability Claim. Some are obvious and some are not. Don’t make Mistake No.1 Failing to Give the Social Security Administration (SSA) accurate information about your past employment.

That sounds like a “no-brainer” but I see this mistake all the time.

You will be asked about your employment history for the 15 years before the onset of your disability. Be accurate! The Social Security Administration (SSA) has your earnings records so they know who you worked for and how much you made.

So, don’t leave out jobs you have had because the thinking goes, “If you aren’t honest about your employment history, what else aren’t your being honest about?” For more information, and for more help with your claim, click here or call 727-894-3188.

Posted March 28th 2008 to 10 Mistakes to Avoid in the Claims Process,The Claims Process | Comments (0)| Permalink | Trackback |  Print This Post |  Email This Post

If your are disabled and unable to work apply immediately. Don’t listen to friends, family members, or others that tell you to wait. That is the worst advise and WRONG!

The claims process takes a very, very long time. In the Tampa Bay area the claims process can take 2 to 3 years! That is not the case elsewhere but many claimants have significant financial problems because of they delay.

The sooner you start the application process, the sooner you get a decision. It is like standing at the station waiting for the train to leave. If you don’t get on the train, you will never get to your destination. Sooner not later! For more information, and for more help with your claim, click here or call 727-894-3188.

Posted March 23rd 2008 to The Claims Process | Comments (0)| Permalink | Trackback |  Print This Post |  Email This Post