At Michael Armstrong Law, we’ve spent over three decades helping clients in Albuquerque and the greater metro area of Albuquerque, New Mexico, navigate the complexities of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) appeals and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) appeals. We recognize that even minor policy changes can have a profound impact…
The Social Security Administration is implementing a new AI (artificial intelligence) system to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the automatic recording and transcription of hearings. The Hearing Recording and Transcriptions, HeaRT, system aims to support all hearing formats — in-person, telephone, and video — without having to rely on…
“The Only Constant in Life Is Change.” – Heraclitus. This phrase accurately describes the recent interactions between the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) and the Trump Administration. Frank Bisignano Named Commissioner of Social Security: The Team Hopes He Brings Stability to the SSA Most recently, the Senate confirmed Frank Bisignano, on…
As of December 2024, a new 2.5% cost of living adjustment (COLA) was added to Social Security benefit payments. COLA, cost of living adjustments, are increases in Social Security compensation intended to help benefit recipients maintain the value of their monthly payments against inflation. In short, COLA helps to offset…
The Social Security Disability 5-Year Rule was created in 2022 to help individuals understand if they are qualified to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Under this rule, you must have worked and paid into Social Security through payroll taxes for at least 5 of the last 10 years before…
First and foremost, don’t panic. Yes, it’s possible you were overpaid by Social Security for your disability benefits, depending on the situation. And, if you were overpaid, you have some options for rectifying the situation. Whatever you decide to do, it is important that you act quickly. Social Security Disability…
For Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), it is rare for these government programs to have complete program reforms or significant overhauls. For current recipients of Social Security disability benefits, the most important aspects you need to be aware of are legislative and administrative changes to…
The Short Answer: Yes, SSDI can count as income when applying for SNAP. However, some deductions can be applied. Why SSDI Payment Benefits Can Impact SNAP SSDI payment benefits directly contribute to total household income, which is used to determine eligibility for SNAP and the amount of supplemental nutrition assistance…
You filed your claim and received a denial notice in the mail a few months later. You probably ask, “Why was it denied, and what could I have done to bolster my SSDI claim application?” The Social Security Administration will explain its decision and why your claim was denied in…
Applying for Social Security disability, appealing a denial, and navigating the landscape of Social Security benefits can be an incredibly complex task. This daunting task is compounded when multiple family members, e.g., two spouses, receive disability benefits or are applying for SSDI benefits. There are special case scenarios and circumstances…