http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com General Legal Issues by Anthony Reeves, Esq. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:14:48 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/how-to-cure-the-credibility-cripplers-for-your-social-security-disability-case http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/how-to-cure-the-credibility-cripplers-for-your-social-security-disability-case#comments Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:22:44 +0000 Anthony Reeves http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/?p=1083   There are very few things that can kill your social security case.  If you apply for SSI and you win the Powerball multi-million dollar lottery, you probably won’t win your SSI case.  If you were out of work for 11 months and went back to work full-time, you probably won’t your disability case.  I know the process is long but it is a process. Fortunately there very few situations that may kill your disability case. However, there are a bunch of situations that may cripple your case.  You would be surprised by the things that people do or say that hurt their disability case: Are you still using drugs or drinking alcohol?  Yes. Are you still smoking even after the doctor told you to stop? Yes. The doctor told you to exercise.  Are you exercising?  No. It’s amazing.  What’s even more amazing is how people will try to tap dance around these facts in court: Why are you still using drugs or drinking?  Well, see, what had happened was……. Why are you still smoking?  I know I need to stop but I’m cutting down. Why aren’t you exercising?  It’s too hard to get out of the bed. Really? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sat in court and my client has blown up their case right before my very eyes.  What’s the most amazing part is that almost all of these situations are fixable.  So why not fix them? If you have a few crippling facts that may have a negative impact on your case, you should employ my E.F.M approach:Embrace it, Fix it, and Move on. Embrace it You would be surprised by the number of times people will sugar coat, downplay and even straight out lie about a negative fact in their case.  Why are you ducking it?  It’s in the file.  Everybody knows about it. And, guess what?  If you’re in front of the judge, you will not be looking very good to him/her if you’re not straightforward.  Stop tap dancing and just admit it.  A negative fact comes across much better coming directly from you as an acknowledgement as opposed to the judge asking you to explain something you’ve intentionally omitted. Fix it Stop making excuses for the problem.  You know what it is well in advance, fix it.  If the doctor tells you to stop smoking, stop smoking!  If your attorney or representative tells you to stop using drugs, stop using drugs! There is nothing in your case that can’t be fixed so stop making excuses and fix it. Move on You can’t undo the negative facts.  You can’t pretend like they never happened.  The best thing you can do is acknowledge the facts, highlight what you’ve done to fix them, and then stress how you have conducted yourself after you fixed the problem. In the end, you have the ability to heal the cripple in your case.  So you have to decide.  Do you want your case to walk into the court room or limp into the court room?]]> http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/how-to-cure-the-credibility-cripplers-for-your-social-security-disability-case/feed 0 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-1-15-2012 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-1-15-2012#comments Mon, 16 Jan 2012 01:45:12 +0000 Anthony Reeves http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/?p=1074

1. I have been receiving SSDI for approximately 2 years. I have now requested back child support and am wondering how my benefit will be affected. (My child has just turned 19 and is in college.)
2. Any tips to get the judge to more likely approve you?
3. If I get back pay for SSI, and not qualified for future monthly checks because my ssd, my ssi back pay is going to send to Public assistance. Does my Dib pay me back for the SSI which was sent to Public Assistance?
4. Can you do a video about federal court process?

]]> http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-1-15-2012/feed 1 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/unemployment-benefits-vs-social-security-benefits-how-do-you-know-which-one-to-collect http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/unemployment-benefits-vs-social-security-benefits-how-do-you-know-which-one-to-collect#comments Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:30:51 +0000 Anthony Reeves http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/?p=1058 No one prepares you for being disabled. And few people plan for that day; the day that your medical condition keeps you from working.  Our society has been conditioned on the premise that we all go to work, we retire, and then sail off into the sunset. So when it happens, it’s no wonder you aren’t prepared for the life altering decisions you have to make.  You’ve never gone to the government for help.  You’ve never applied for food stamps.  You’ve never gone to the health department.  You’ve never asked for help with the light bill, food, gas, or even shelter.  We aren’t wired this way.  We are strong.  We are capable.  We are resilient.  However, when faced with the reality of survival, we find ourselves having to make tough decisions and accepting the consequences that come with those decisions. The first decision we all make is usually all about money.  We need it to survive.  We need it to persevere.  So, when faced with the option of applying for benefits from the government, sometimes, the decision is not always neat. Let’s say you were let go from your job.  You know it was due to your health.  So, you decide to apply for Social Security Disability.  Why?  It’s simple.  You can’t work.  When you apply for Social Security Disability, you’re telling the federal government that you can’t work.   So, the decision to apply is easy. Unfortunately, you have to wait a long time to go through the process; sometimes months, or even years. However, you just realized that you also can apply for Unemployment.   Now, this puts you in a difficult position.  Why?  Because, when you apply for Unemployment Compensation, you’re telling your state government that you can work. So, wait? If I apply for Social Security Disability, I’m telling the government I can’t work. If I apply for Unemployment Benefits, I’m telling the government I can work. See the problem? So the question is:  What should I do?? This question is tough to answer.   Currently, there is nothing in the regulations that prohibits someone from receiving Unemployment Benefits and Social Security Disability benefits.  However, if you are receiving unemployment benefits, your credibility may be called into question.  Think about it.  You’re telling the government two different things.  So, which one should they believe? As an attorney, I can talk to you all day about the legal impact of applying for Social Security Disability and Unemployment Benefits.  However, I, also, understand the personal impact of applying for Social Security Disability and Unemployment Benefits.   You have hard choices to make.  When faced with the possibility of no income coming into your household, you will make a decision that is best suited for the livelihood of you and your family.  Let’s face it.  The light company is not going to hold off on letting you pay the let bill until you get disability.  The last time I checked, you can’t get groceries using an I.O.U. Am I saying you can’t get disability if you’ve applied for unemployment benefits?  No.   Will the fact that you applied for unemployment benefits be taken into consideration?  Absolutely.    Remember, everyone’s circumstances are different.   You may have applied for unemployment but didn’t get it because you told them you couldn’t work.  Perhaps you applied for unemployment, received it, but your condition got worse.  Or, you could have fallen under a variety of other scenarios.    Also, the impact of receiving Unemployment Benefits may also depend on who is making a decision regarding your Social Security Disability case. Just know that receiving unemployment benefits may impact your Social Security Disability case. However, the choice to apply for both is yours.  Simply put, at that crucial moment, you will be faced with the possibility of making a tough decision.   Apply for unemployment benefits with the knowledge that it may negatively impact your Social Security Disability case.]]> http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/unemployment-benefits-vs-social-security-benefits-how-do-you-know-which-one-to-collect/feed 0 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-12-4-2011 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-12-4-2011#comments Mon, 05 Dec 2011 02:41:34 +0000 Anthony Reeves http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/?p=1053 1)      What if I can't completely fill out the forms Social Security provides me, but do my best to complete? 2)      When should I hire a lawyer? 3)      I got a turn down letter on my second level of Ssdi. They said we know you have panic disorder and agoraphobia and you can't go back to you job as a truck driver but you can work without being in crowded places or with the general public?? This makes no sense to me. What job could I do not working with people from my home? 4)      Is life over once I must go back on SSI or Social Security Disability? Check out my new Chat function on the Blog to give you REAL TIME conversation with me.  ]]> http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-12-4-2011/feed 1 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com General Legal Issues by Anthony Reeves, Esq. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:14:48 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com General Legal Issues by Anthony Reeves, Esq. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:14:48 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/how-to-cure-the-credibility-cripplers-for-your-social-security-disability-case http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/how-to-cure-the-credibility-cripplers-for-your-social-security-disability-case#comments Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:22:44 +0000 Anthony Reeves http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/?p=1083   There are very few things that can kill your social security case.  If you apply for SSI and you win the Powerball multi-million dollar lottery, you probably won’t win your SSI case.  If you were out of work for 11 months and went back to work full-time, you probably won’t your disability case.  I know the process is long but it is a process. Fortunately there very few situations that may kill your disability case. However, there are a bunch of situations that may cripple your case.  You would be surprised by the things that people do or say that hurt their disability case: Are you still using drugs or drinking alcohol?  Yes. Are you still smoking even after the doctor told you to stop? Yes. The doctor told you to exercise.  Are you exercising?  No. It’s amazing.  What’s even more amazing is how people will try to tap dance around these facts in court: Why are you still using drugs or drinking?  Well, see, what had happened was……. Why are you still smoking?  I know I need to stop but I’m cutting down. Why aren’t you exercising?  It’s too hard to get out of the bed. Really? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sat in court and my client has blown up their case right before my very eyes.  What’s the most amazing part is that almost all of these situations are fixable.  So why not fix them? If you have a few crippling facts that may have a negative impact on your case, you should employ my E.F.M approach:Embrace it, Fix it, and Move on. Embrace it You would be surprised by the number of times people will sugar coat, downplay and even straight out lie about a negative fact in their case.  Why are you ducking it?  It’s in the file.  Everybody knows about it. And, guess what?  If you’re in front of the judge, you will not be looking very good to him/her if you’re not straightforward.  Stop tap dancing and just admit it.  A negative fact comes across much better coming directly from you as an acknowledgement as opposed to the judge asking you to explain something you’ve intentionally omitted. Fix it Stop making excuses for the problem.  You know what it is well in advance, fix it.  If the doctor tells you to stop smoking, stop smoking!  If your attorney or representative tells you to stop using drugs, stop using drugs! There is nothing in your case that can’t be fixed so stop making excuses and fix it. Move on You can’t undo the negative facts.  You can’t pretend like they never happened.  The best thing you can do is acknowledge the facts, highlight what you’ve done to fix them, and then stress how you have conducted yourself after you fixed the problem. In the end, you have the ability to heal the cripple in your case.  So you have to decide.  Do you want your case to walk into the court room or limp into the court room?]]> http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/how-to-cure-the-credibility-cripplers-for-your-social-security-disability-case/feed 0 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-1-15-2012 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-1-15-2012#comments Mon, 16 Jan 2012 01:45:12 +0000 Anthony Reeves http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/?p=1074

1. I have been receiving SSDI for approximately 2 years. I have now requested back child support and am wondering how my benefit will be affected. (My child has just turned 19 and is in college.)
2. Any tips to get the judge to more likely approve you?
3. If I get back pay for SSI, and not qualified for future monthly checks because my ssd, my ssi back pay is going to send to Public assistance. Does my Dib pay me back for the SSI which was sent to Public Assistance?
4. Can you do a video about federal court process?

]]> http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-1-15-2012/feed 1 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/unemployment-benefits-vs-social-security-benefits-how-do-you-know-which-one-to-collect http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/unemployment-benefits-vs-social-security-benefits-how-do-you-know-which-one-to-collect#comments Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:30:51 +0000 Anthony Reeves http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/?p=1058 No one prepares you for being disabled. And few people plan for that day; the day that your medical condition keeps you from working.  Our society has been conditioned on the premise that we all go to work, we retire, and then sail off into the sunset. So when it happens, it’s no wonder you aren’t prepared for the life altering decisions you have to make.  You’ve never gone to the government for help.  You’ve never applied for food stamps.  You’ve never gone to the health department.  You’ve never asked for help with the light bill, food, gas, or even shelter.  We aren’t wired this way.  We are strong.  We are capable.  We are resilient.  However, when faced with the reality of survival, we find ourselves having to make tough decisions and accepting the consequences that come with those decisions. The first decision we all make is usually all about money.  We need it to survive.  We need it to persevere.  So, when faced with the option of applying for benefits from the government, sometimes, the decision is not always neat. Let’s say you were let go from your job.  You know it was due to your health.  So, you decide to apply for Social Security Disability.  Why?  It’s simple.  You can’t work.  When you apply for Social Security Disability, you’re telling the federal government that you can’t work.   So, the decision to apply is easy. Unfortunately, you have to wait a long time to go through the process; sometimes months, or even years. However, you just realized that you also can apply for Unemployment.   Now, this puts you in a difficult position.  Why?  Because, when you apply for Unemployment Compensation, you’re telling your state government that you can work. So, wait? If I apply for Social Security Disability, I’m telling the government I can’t work. If I apply for Unemployment Benefits, I’m telling the government I can work. See the problem? So the question is:  What should I do?? This question is tough to answer.   Currently, there is nothing in the regulations that prohibits someone from receiving Unemployment Benefits and Social Security Disability benefits.  However, if you are receiving unemployment benefits, your credibility may be called into question.  Think about it.  You’re telling the government two different things.  So, which one should they believe? As an attorney, I can talk to you all day about the legal impact of applying for Social Security Disability and Unemployment Benefits.  However, I, also, understand the personal impact of applying for Social Security Disability and Unemployment Benefits.   You have hard choices to make.  When faced with the possibility of no income coming into your household, you will make a decision that is best suited for the livelihood of you and your family.  Let’s face it.  The light company is not going to hold off on letting you pay the let bill until you get disability.  The last time I checked, you can’t get groceries using an I.O.U. Am I saying you can’t get disability if you’ve applied for unemployment benefits?  No.   Will the fact that you applied for unemployment benefits be taken into consideration?  Absolutely.    Remember, everyone’s circumstances are different.   You may have applied for unemployment but didn’t get it because you told them you couldn’t work.  Perhaps you applied for unemployment, received it, but your condition got worse.  Or, you could have fallen under a variety of other scenarios.    Also, the impact of receiving Unemployment Benefits may also depend on who is making a decision regarding your Social Security Disability case. Just know that receiving unemployment benefits may impact your Social Security Disability case. However, the choice to apply for both is yours.  Simply put, at that crucial moment, you will be faced with the possibility of making a tough decision.   Apply for unemployment benefits with the knowledge that it may negatively impact your Social Security Disability case.]]> http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/unemployment-benefits-vs-social-security-benefits-how-do-you-know-which-one-to-collect/feed 0 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-12-4-2011 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-12-4-2011#comments Mon, 05 Dec 2011 02:41:34 +0000 Anthony Reeves http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/?p=1053 1)      What if I can't completely fill out the forms Social Security provides me, but do my best to complete? 2)      When should I hire a lawyer? 3)      I got a turn down letter on my second level of Ssdi. They said we know you have panic disorder and agoraphobia and you can't go back to you job as a truck driver but you can work without being in crowded places or with the general public?? This makes no sense to me. What job could I do not working with people from my home? 4)      Is life over once I must go back on SSI or Social Security Disability? Check out my new Chat function on the Blog to give you REAL TIME conversation with me.  ]]> http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-12-4-2011/feed 1 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/how-to-cure-the-credibility-cripplers-for-your-social-security-disability-case http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/how-to-cure-the-credibility-cripplers-for-your-social-security-disability-case#comments Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:22:44 +0000 Anthony Reeves http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/?p=1083   There are very few things that can kill your social security case.  If you apply for SSI and you win the Powerball multi-million dollar lottery, you probably won’t win your SSI case.  If you were out of work for 11 months and went back to work full-time, you probably won’t your disability case.  I know the process is long but it is a process. Fortunately there very few situations that may kill your disability case. However, there are a bunch of situations that may cripple your case.  You would be surprised by the things that people do or say that hurt their disability case: Are you still using drugs or drinking alcohol?  Yes. Are you still smoking even after the doctor told you to stop? Yes. The doctor told you to exercise.  Are you exercising?  No. It’s amazing.  What’s even more amazing is how people will try to tap dance around these facts in court: Why are you still using drugs or drinking?  Well, see, what had happened was……. Why are you still smoking?  I know I need to stop but I’m cutting down. Why aren’t you exercising?  It’s too hard to get out of the bed. Really? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sat in court and my client has blown up their case right before my very eyes.  What’s the most amazing part is that almost all of these situations are fixable.  So why not fix them? If you have a few crippling facts that may have a negative impact on your case, you should employ my E.F.M approach:Embrace it, Fix it, and Move on. Embrace it You would be surprised by the number of times people will sugar coat, downplay and even straight out lie about a negative fact in their case.  Why are you ducking it?  It’s in the file.  Everybody knows about it. And, guess what?  If you’re in front of the judge, you will not be looking very good to him/her if you’re not straightforward.  Stop tap dancing and just admit it.  A negative fact comes across much better coming directly from you as an acknowledgement as opposed to the judge asking you to explain something you’ve intentionally omitted. Fix it Stop making excuses for the problem.  You know what it is well in advance, fix it.  If the doctor tells you to stop smoking, stop smoking!  If your attorney or representative tells you to stop using drugs, stop using drugs! There is nothing in your case that can’t be fixed so stop making excuses and fix it. Move on You can’t undo the negative facts.  You can’t pretend like they never happened.  The best thing you can do is acknowledge the facts, highlight what you’ve done to fix them, and then stress how you have conducted yourself after you fixed the problem. In the end, you have the ability to heal the cripple in your case.  So you have to decide.  Do you want your case to walk into the court room or limp into the court room?]]> http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/how-to-cure-the-credibility-cripplers-for-your-social-security-disability-case/feed 0 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com General Legal Issues by Anthony Reeves, Esq. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:14:48 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/how-to-cure-the-credibility-cripplers-for-your-social-security-disability-case http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/how-to-cure-the-credibility-cripplers-for-your-social-security-disability-case#comments Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:22:44 +0000 Anthony Reeves http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/?p=1083   There are very few things that can kill your social security case.  If you apply for SSI and you win the Powerball multi-million dollar lottery, you probably won’t win your SSI case.  If you were out of work for 11 months and went back to work full-time, you probably won’t your disability case.  I know the process is long but it is a process. Fortunately there very few situations that may kill your disability case. However, there are a bunch of situations that may cripple your case.  You would be surprised by the things that people do or say that hurt their disability case: Are you still using drugs or drinking alcohol?  Yes. Are you still smoking even after the doctor told you to stop? Yes. The doctor told you to exercise.  Are you exercising?  No. It’s amazing.  What’s even more amazing is how people will try to tap dance around these facts in court: Why are you still using drugs or drinking?  Well, see, what had happened was……. Why are you still smoking?  I know I need to stop but I’m cutting down. Why aren’t you exercising?  It’s too hard to get out of the bed. Really? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sat in court and my client has blown up their case right before my very eyes.  What’s the most amazing part is that almost all of these situations are fixable.  So why not fix them? If you have a few crippling facts that may have a negative impact on your case, you should employ my E.F.M approach:Embrace it, Fix it, and Move on. Embrace it You would be surprised by the number of times people will sugar coat, downplay and even straight out lie about a negative fact in their case.  Why are you ducking it?  It’s in the file.  Everybody knows about it. And, guess what?  If you’re in front of the judge, you will not be looking very good to him/her if you’re not straightforward.  Stop tap dancing and just admit it.  A negative fact comes across much better coming directly from you as an acknowledgement as opposed to the judge asking you to explain something you’ve intentionally omitted. Fix it Stop making excuses for the problem.  You know what it is well in advance, fix it.  If the doctor tells you to stop smoking, stop smoking!  If your attorney or representative tells you to stop using drugs, stop using drugs! There is nothing in your case that can’t be fixed so stop making excuses and fix it. Move on You can’t undo the negative facts.  You can’t pretend like they never happened.  The best thing you can do is acknowledge the facts, highlight what you’ve done to fix them, and then stress how you have conducted yourself after you fixed the problem. In the end, you have the ability to heal the cripple in your case.  So you have to decide.  Do you want your case to walk into the court room or limp into the court room?]]> http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/how-to-cure-the-credibility-cripplers-for-your-social-security-disability-case/feed 0 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-1-15-2012 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-1-15-2012#comments Mon, 16 Jan 2012 01:45:12 +0000 Anthony Reeves http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/?p=1074

1. I have been receiving SSDI for approximately 2 years. I have now requested back child support and am wondering how my benefit will be affected. (My child has just turned 19 and is in college.)
2. Any tips to get the judge to more likely approve you?
3. If I get back pay for SSI, and not qualified for future monthly checks because my ssd, my ssi back pay is going to send to Public assistance. Does my Dib pay me back for the SSI which was sent to Public Assistance?
4. Can you do a video about federal court process?

]]> http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-1-15-2012/feed 1 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/unemployment-benefits-vs-social-security-benefits-how-do-you-know-which-one-to-collect http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/unemployment-benefits-vs-social-security-benefits-how-do-you-know-which-one-to-collect#comments Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:30:51 +0000 Anthony Reeves http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/?p=1058 No one prepares you for being disabled. And few people plan for that day; the day that your medical condition keeps you from working.  Our society has been conditioned on the premise that we all go to work, we retire, and then sail off into the sunset. So when it happens, it’s no wonder you aren’t prepared for the life altering decisions you have to make.  You’ve never gone to the government for help.  You’ve never applied for food stamps.  You’ve never gone to the health department.  You’ve never asked for help with the light bill, food, gas, or even shelter.  We aren’t wired this way.  We are strong.  We are capable.  We are resilient.  However, when faced with the reality of survival, we find ourselves having to make tough decisions and accepting the consequences that come with those decisions. The first decision we all make is usually all about money.  We need it to survive.  We need it to persevere.  So, when faced with the option of applying for benefits from the government, sometimes, the decision is not always neat. Let’s say you were let go from your job.  You know it was due to your health.  So, you decide to apply for Social Security Disability.  Why?  It’s simple.  You can’t work.  When you apply for Social Security Disability, you’re telling the federal government that you can’t work.   So, the decision to apply is easy. Unfortunately, you have to wait a long time to go through the process; sometimes months, or even years. However, you just realized that you also can apply for Unemployment.   Now, this puts you in a difficult position.  Why?  Because, when you apply for Unemployment Compensation, you’re telling your state government that you can work. So, wait? If I apply for Social Security Disability, I’m telling the government I can’t work. If I apply for Unemployment Benefits, I’m telling the government I can work. See the problem? So the question is:  What should I do?? This question is tough to answer.   Currently, there is nothing in the regulations that prohibits someone from receiving Unemployment Benefits and Social Security Disability benefits.  However, if you are receiving unemployment benefits, your credibility may be called into question.  Think about it.  You’re telling the government two different things.  So, which one should they believe? As an attorney, I can talk to you all day about the legal impact of applying for Social Security Disability and Unemployment Benefits.  However, I, also, understand the personal impact of applying for Social Security Disability and Unemployment Benefits.   You have hard choices to make.  When faced with the possibility of no income coming into your household, you will make a decision that is best suited for the livelihood of you and your family.  Let’s face it.  The light company is not going to hold off on letting you pay the let bill until you get disability.  The last time I checked, you can’t get groceries using an I.O.U. Am I saying you can’t get disability if you’ve applied for unemployment benefits?  No.   Will the fact that you applied for unemployment benefits be taken into consideration?  Absolutely.    Remember, everyone’s circumstances are different.   You may have applied for unemployment but didn’t get it because you told them you couldn’t work.  Perhaps you applied for unemployment, received it, but your condition got worse.  Or, you could have fallen under a variety of other scenarios.    Also, the impact of receiving Unemployment Benefits may also depend on who is making a decision regarding your Social Security Disability case. Just know that receiving unemployment benefits may impact your Social Security Disability case. However, the choice to apply for both is yours.  Simply put, at that crucial moment, you will be faced with the possibility of making a tough decision.   Apply for unemployment benefits with the knowledge that it may negatively impact your Social Security Disability case.]]> http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/unemployment-benefits-vs-social-security-benefits-how-do-you-know-which-one-to-collect/feed 0 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-12-4-2011 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-12-4-2011#comments Mon, 05 Dec 2011 02:41:34 +0000 Anthony Reeves http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/?p=1053 1)      What if I can't completely fill out the forms Social Security provides me, but do my best to complete? 2)      When should I hire a lawyer? 3)      I got a turn down letter on my second level of Ssdi. They said we know you have panic disorder and agoraphobia and you can't go back to you job as a truck driver but you can work without being in crowded places or with the general public?? This makes no sense to me. What job could I do not working with people from my home? 4)      Is life over once I must go back on SSI or Social Security Disability? Check out my new Chat function on the Blog to give you REAL TIME conversation with me.  ]]> http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-12-4-2011/feed 1 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-1-15-2012 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-1-15-2012#comments Mon, 16 Jan 2012 01:45:12 +0000 Anthony Reeves http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/?p=1074

1. I have been receiving SSDI for approximately 2 years. I have now requested back child support and am wondering how my benefit will be affected. (My child has just turned 19 and is in college.)
2. Any tips to get the judge to more likely approve you?
3. If I get back pay for SSI, and not qualified for future monthly checks because my ssd, my ssi back pay is going to send to Public assistance. Does my Dib pay me back for the SSI which was sent to Public Assistance?
4. Can you do a video about federal court process?

]]> http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-1-15-2012/feed 1 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com General Legal Issues by Anthony Reeves, Esq. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:14:48 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/how-to-cure-the-credibility-cripplers-for-your-social-security-disability-case http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/how-to-cure-the-credibility-cripplers-for-your-social-security-disability-case#comments Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:22:44 +0000 Anthony Reeves http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/?p=1083   There are very few things that can kill your social security case.  If you apply for SSI and you win the Powerball multi-million dollar lottery, you probably won’t win your SSI case.  If you were out of work for 11 months and went back to work full-time, you probably won’t your disability case.  I know the process is long but it is a process. Fortunately there very few situations that may kill your disability case. However, there are a bunch of situations that may cripple your case.  You would be surprised by the things that people do or say that hurt their disability case: Are you still using drugs or drinking alcohol?  Yes. Are you still smoking even after the doctor told you to stop? Yes. The doctor told you to exercise.  Are you exercising?  No. It’s amazing.  What’s even more amazing is how people will try to tap dance around these facts in court: Why are you still using drugs or drinking?  Well, see, what had happened was……. Why are you still smoking?  I know I need to stop but I’m cutting down. Why aren’t you exercising?  It’s too hard to get out of the bed. Really? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sat in court and my client has blown up their case right before my very eyes.  What’s the most amazing part is that almost all of these situations are fixable.  So why not fix them? If you have a few crippling facts that may have a negative impact on your case, you should employ my E.F.M approach:Embrace it, Fix it, and Move on. Embrace it You would be surprised by the number of times people will sugar coat, downplay and even straight out lie about a negative fact in their case.  Why are you ducking it?  It’s in the file.  Everybody knows about it. And, guess what?  If you’re in front of the judge, you will not be looking very good to him/her if you’re not straightforward.  Stop tap dancing and just admit it.  A negative fact comes across much better coming directly from you as an acknowledgement as opposed to the judge asking you to explain something you’ve intentionally omitted. Fix it Stop making excuses for the problem.  You know what it is well in advance, fix it.  If the doctor tells you to stop smoking, stop smoking!  If your attorney or representative tells you to stop using drugs, stop using drugs! There is nothing in your case that can’t be fixed so stop making excuses and fix it. Move on You can’t undo the negative facts.  You can’t pretend like they never happened.  The best thing you can do is acknowledge the facts, highlight what you’ve done to fix them, and then stress how you have conducted yourself after you fixed the problem. In the end, you have the ability to heal the cripple in your case.  So you have to decide.  Do you want your case to walk into the court room or limp into the court room?]]> http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/how-to-cure-the-credibility-cripplers-for-your-social-security-disability-case/feed 0 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-1-15-2012 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-1-15-2012#comments Mon, 16 Jan 2012 01:45:12 +0000 Anthony Reeves http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/?p=1074

1. I have been receiving SSDI for approximately 2 years. I have now requested back child support and am wondering how my benefit will be affected. (My child has just turned 19 and is in college.)
2. Any tips to get the judge to more likely approve you?
3. If I get back pay for SSI, and not qualified for future monthly checks because my ssd, my ssi back pay is going to send to Public assistance. Does my Dib pay me back for the SSI which was sent to Public Assistance?
4. Can you do a video about federal court process?

]]> http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-1-15-2012/feed 1 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/unemployment-benefits-vs-social-security-benefits-how-do-you-know-which-one-to-collect http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/unemployment-benefits-vs-social-security-benefits-how-do-you-know-which-one-to-collect#comments Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:30:51 +0000 Anthony Reeves http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/?p=1058 No one prepares you for being disabled. And few people plan for that day; the day that your medical condition keeps you from working.  Our society has been conditioned on the premise that we all go to work, we retire, and then sail off into the sunset. So when it happens, it’s no wonder you aren’t prepared for the life altering decisions you have to make.  You’ve never gone to the government for help.  You’ve never applied for food stamps.  You’ve never gone to the health department.  You’ve never asked for help with the light bill, food, gas, or even shelter.  We aren’t wired this way.  We are strong.  We are capable.  We are resilient.  However, when faced with the reality of survival, we find ourselves having to make tough decisions and accepting the consequences that come with those decisions. The first decision we all make is usually all about money.  We need it to survive.  We need it to persevere.  So, when faced with the option of applying for benefits from the government, sometimes, the decision is not always neat. Let’s say you were let go from your job.  You know it was due to your health.  So, you decide to apply for Social Security Disability.  Why?  It’s simple.  You can’t work.  When you apply for Social Security Disability, you’re telling the federal government that you can’t work.   So, the decision to apply is easy. Unfortunately, you have to wait a long time to go through the process; sometimes months, or even years. However, you just realized that you also can apply for Unemployment.   Now, this puts you in a difficult position.  Why?  Because, when you apply for Unemployment Compensation, you’re telling your state government that you can work. So, wait? If I apply for Social Security Disability, I’m telling the government I can’t work. If I apply for Unemployment Benefits, I’m telling the government I can work. See the problem? So the question is:  What should I do?? This question is tough to answer.   Currently, there is nothing in the regulations that prohibits someone from receiving Unemployment Benefits and Social Security Disability benefits.  However, if you are receiving unemployment benefits, your credibility may be called into question.  Think about it.  You’re telling the government two different things.  So, which one should they believe? As an attorney, I can talk to you all day about the legal impact of applying for Social Security Disability and Unemployment Benefits.  However, I, also, understand the personal impact of applying for Social Security Disability and Unemployment Benefits.   You have hard choices to make.  When faced with the possibility of no income coming into your household, you will make a decision that is best suited for the livelihood of you and your family.  Let’s face it.  The light company is not going to hold off on letting you pay the let bill until you get disability.  The last time I checked, you can’t get groceries using an I.O.U. Am I saying you can’t get disability if you’ve applied for unemployment benefits?  No.   Will the fact that you applied for unemployment benefits be taken into consideration?  Absolutely.    Remember, everyone’s circumstances are different.   You may have applied for unemployment but didn’t get it because you told them you couldn’t work.  Perhaps you applied for unemployment, received it, but your condition got worse.  Or, you could have fallen under a variety of other scenarios.    Also, the impact of receiving Unemployment Benefits may also depend on who is making a decision regarding your Social Security Disability case. Just know that receiving unemployment benefits may impact your Social Security Disability case. However, the choice to apply for both is yours.  Simply put, at that crucial moment, you will be faced with the possibility of making a tough decision.   Apply for unemployment benefits with the knowledge that it may negatively impact your Social Security Disability case.]]> http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/unemployment-benefits-vs-social-security-benefits-how-do-you-know-which-one-to-collect/feed 0 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-12-4-2011 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-12-4-2011#comments Mon, 05 Dec 2011 02:41:34 +0000 Anthony Reeves http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/?p=1053 1)      What if I can't completely fill out the forms Social Security provides me, but do my best to complete? 2)      When should I hire a lawyer? 3)      I got a turn down letter on my second level of Ssdi. They said we know you have panic disorder and agoraphobia and you can't go back to you job as a truck driver but you can work without being in crowded places or with the general public?? This makes no sense to me. What job could I do not working with people from my home? 4)      Is life over once I must go back on SSI or Social Security Disability? Check out my new Chat function on the Blog to give you REAL TIME conversation with me.  ]]> http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-12-4-2011/feed 1 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/unemployment-benefits-vs-social-security-benefits-how-do-you-know-which-one-to-collect http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/unemployment-benefits-vs-social-security-benefits-how-do-you-know-which-one-to-collect#comments Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:30:51 +0000 Anthony Reeves http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/?p=1058 No one prepares you for being disabled. And few people plan for that day; the day that your medical condition keeps you from working.  Our society has been conditioned on the premise that we all go to work, we retire, and then sail off into the sunset. So when it happens, it’s no wonder you aren’t prepared for the life altering decisions you have to make.  You’ve never gone to the government for help.  You’ve never applied for food stamps.  You’ve never gone to the health department.  You’ve never asked for help with the light bill, food, gas, or even shelter.  We aren’t wired this way.  We are strong.  We are capable.  We are resilient.  However, when faced with the reality of survival, we find ourselves having to make tough decisions and accepting the consequences that come with those decisions. The first decision we all make is usually all about money.  We need it to survive.  We need it to persevere.  So, when faced with the option of applying for benefits from the government, sometimes, the decision is not always neat. Let’s say you were let go from your job.  You know it was due to your health.  So, you decide to apply for Social Security Disability.  Why?  It’s simple.  You can’t work.  When you apply for Social Security Disability, you’re telling the federal government that you can’t work.   So, the decision to apply is easy. Unfortunately, you have to wait a long time to go through the process; sometimes months, or even years. However, you just realized that you also can apply for Unemployment.   Now, this puts you in a difficult position.  Why?  Because, when you apply for Unemployment Compensation, you’re telling your state government that you can work. So, wait? If I apply for Social Security Disability, I’m telling the government I can’t work. If I apply for Unemployment Benefits, I’m telling the government I can work. See the problem? So the question is:  What should I do?? This question is tough to answer.   Currently, there is nothing in the regulations that prohibits someone from receiving Unemployment Benefits and Social Security Disability benefits.  However, if you are receiving unemployment benefits, your credibility may be called into question.  Think about it.  You’re telling the government two different things.  So, which one should they believe? As an attorney, I can talk to you all day about the legal impact of applying for Social Security Disability and Unemployment Benefits.  However, I, also, understand the personal impact of applying for Social Security Disability and Unemployment Benefits.   You have hard choices to make.  When faced with the possibility of no income coming into your household, you will make a decision that is best suited for the livelihood of you and your family.  Let’s face it.  The light company is not going to hold off on letting you pay the let bill until you get disability.  The last time I checked, you can’t get groceries using an I.O.U. Am I saying you can’t get disability if you’ve applied for unemployment benefits?  No.   Will the fact that you applied for unemployment benefits be taken into consideration?  Absolutely.    Remember, everyone’s circumstances are different.   You may have applied for unemployment but didn’t get it because you told them you couldn’t work.  Perhaps you applied for unemployment, received it, but your condition got worse.  Or, you could have fallen under a variety of other scenarios.    Also, the impact of receiving Unemployment Benefits may also depend on who is making a decision regarding your Social Security Disability case. Just know that receiving unemployment benefits may impact your Social Security Disability case. However, the choice to apply for both is yours.  Simply put, at that crucial moment, you will be faced with the possibility of making a tough decision.   Apply for unemployment benefits with the knowledge that it may negatively impact your Social Security Disability case.]]> http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/unemployment-benefits-vs-social-security-benefits-how-do-you-know-which-one-to-collect/feed 0 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com General Legal Issues by Anthony Reeves, Esq. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:14:48 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/how-to-cure-the-credibility-cripplers-for-your-social-security-disability-case http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/how-to-cure-the-credibility-cripplers-for-your-social-security-disability-case#comments Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:22:44 +0000 Anthony Reeves http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/?p=1083   There are very few things that can kill your social security case.  If you apply for SSI and you win the Powerball multi-million dollar lottery, you probably won’t win your SSI case.  If you were out of work for 11 months and went back to work full-time, you probably won’t your disability case.  I know the process is long but it is a process. Fortunately there very few situations that may kill your disability case. However, there are a bunch of situations that may cripple your case.  You would be surprised by the things that people do or say that hurt their disability case: Are you still using drugs or drinking alcohol?  Yes. Are you still smoking even after the doctor told you to stop? Yes. The doctor told you to exercise.  Are you exercising?  No. It’s amazing.  What’s even more amazing is how people will try to tap dance around these facts in court: Why are you still using drugs or drinking?  Well, see, what had happened was……. Why are you still smoking?  I know I need to stop but I’m cutting down. Why aren’t you exercising?  It’s too hard to get out of the bed. Really? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sat in court and my client has blown up their case right before my very eyes.  What’s the most amazing part is that almost all of these situations are fixable.  So why not fix them? If you have a few crippling facts that may have a negative impact on your case, you should employ my E.F.M approach:Embrace it, Fix it, and Move on. Embrace it You would be surprised by the number of times people will sugar coat, downplay and even straight out lie about a negative fact in their case.  Why are you ducking it?  It’s in the file.  Everybody knows about it. And, guess what?  If you’re in front of the judge, you will not be looking very good to him/her if you’re not straightforward.  Stop tap dancing and just admit it.  A negative fact comes across much better coming directly from you as an acknowledgement as opposed to the judge asking you to explain something you’ve intentionally omitted. Fix it Stop making excuses for the problem.  You know what it is well in advance, fix it.  If the doctor tells you to stop smoking, stop smoking!  If your attorney or representative tells you to stop using drugs, stop using drugs! There is nothing in your case that can’t be fixed so stop making excuses and fix it. Move on You can’t undo the negative facts.  You can’t pretend like they never happened.  The best thing you can do is acknowledge the facts, highlight what you’ve done to fix them, and then stress how you have conducted yourself after you fixed the problem. In the end, you have the ability to heal the cripple in your case.  So you have to decide.  Do you want your case to walk into the court room or limp into the court room?]]> http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/how-to-cure-the-credibility-cripplers-for-your-social-security-disability-case/feed 0 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-1-15-2012 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-1-15-2012#comments Mon, 16 Jan 2012 01:45:12 +0000 Anthony Reeves http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/?p=1074

1. I have been receiving SSDI for approximately 2 years. I have now requested back child support and am wondering how my benefit will be affected. (My child has just turned 19 and is in college.)
2. Any tips to get the judge to more likely approve you?
3. If I get back pay for SSI, and not qualified for future monthly checks because my ssd, my ssi back pay is going to send to Public assistance. Does my Dib pay me back for the SSI which was sent to Public Assistance?
4. Can you do a video about federal court process?

]]> http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-1-15-2012/feed 1 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/unemployment-benefits-vs-social-security-benefits-how-do-you-know-which-one-to-collect http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/unemployment-benefits-vs-social-security-benefits-how-do-you-know-which-one-to-collect#comments Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:30:51 +0000 Anthony Reeves http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/?p=1058 No one prepares you for being disabled. And few people plan for that day; the day that your medical condition keeps you from working.  Our society has been conditioned on the premise that we all go to work, we retire, and then sail off into the sunset. So when it happens, it’s no wonder you aren’t prepared for the life altering decisions you have to make.  You’ve never gone to the government for help.  You’ve never applied for food stamps.  You’ve never gone to the health department.  You’ve never asked for help with the light bill, food, gas, or even shelter.  We aren’t wired this way.  We are strong.  We are capable.  We are resilient.  However, when faced with the reality of survival, we find ourselves having to make tough decisions and accepting the consequences that come with those decisions. The first decision we all make is usually all about money.  We need it to survive.  We need it to persevere.  So, when faced with the option of applying for benefits from the government, sometimes, the decision is not always neat. Let’s say you were let go from your job.  You know it was due to your health.  So, you decide to apply for Social Security Disability.  Why?  It’s simple.  You can’t work.  When you apply for Social Security Disability, you’re telling the federal government that you can’t work.   So, the decision to apply is easy. Unfortunately, you have to wait a long time to go through the process; sometimes months, or even years. However, you just realized that you also can apply for Unemployment.   Now, this puts you in a difficult position.  Why?  Because, when you apply for Unemployment Compensation, you’re telling your state government that you can work. So, wait? If I apply for Social Security Disability, I’m telling the government I can’t work. If I apply for Unemployment Benefits, I’m telling the government I can work. See the problem? So the question is:  What should I do?? This question is tough to answer.   Currently, there is nothing in the regulations that prohibits someone from receiving Unemployment Benefits and Social Security Disability benefits.  However, if you are receiving unemployment benefits, your credibility may be called into question.  Think about it.  You’re telling the government two different things.  So, which one should they believe? As an attorney, I can talk to you all day about the legal impact of applying for Social Security Disability and Unemployment Benefits.  However, I, also, understand the personal impact of applying for Social Security Disability and Unemployment Benefits.   You have hard choices to make.  When faced with the possibility of no income coming into your household, you will make a decision that is best suited for the livelihood of you and your family.  Let’s face it.  The light company is not going to hold off on letting you pay the let bill until you get disability.  The last time I checked, you can’t get groceries using an I.O.U. Am I saying you can’t get disability if you’ve applied for unemployment benefits?  No.   Will the fact that you applied for unemployment benefits be taken into consideration?  Absolutely.    Remember, everyone’s circumstances are different.   You may have applied for unemployment but didn’t get it because you told them you couldn’t work.  Perhaps you applied for unemployment, received it, but your condition got worse.  Or, you could have fallen under a variety of other scenarios.    Also, the impact of receiving Unemployment Benefits may also depend on who is making a decision regarding your Social Security Disability case. Just know that receiving unemployment benefits may impact your Social Security Disability case. However, the choice to apply for both is yours.  Simply put, at that crucial moment, you will be faced with the possibility of making a tough decision.   Apply for unemployment benefits with the knowledge that it may negatively impact your Social Security Disability case.]]> http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/unemployment-benefits-vs-social-security-benefits-how-do-you-know-which-one-to-collect/feed 0 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-12-4-2011 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-12-4-2011#comments Mon, 05 Dec 2011 02:41:34 +0000 Anthony Reeves http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/?p=1053 1)      What if I can't completely fill out the forms Social Security provides me, but do my best to complete? 2)      When should I hire a lawyer? 3)      I got a turn down letter on my second level of Ssdi. They said we know you have panic disorder and agoraphobia and you can't go back to you job as a truck driver but you can work without being in crowded places or with the general public?? This makes no sense to me. What job could I do not working with people from my home? 4)      Is life over once I must go back on SSI or Social Security Disability? Check out my new Chat function on the Blog to give you REAL TIME conversation with me.  ]]> http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-12-4-2011/feed 1 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-12-4-2011 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-12-4-2011#comments Mon, 05 Dec 2011 02:41:34 +0000 Anthony Reeves http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/?p=1053 1)      What if I can't completely fill out the forms Social Security provides me, but do my best to complete? 2)      When should I hire a lawyer? 3)      I got a turn down letter on my second level of Ssdi. They said we know you have panic disorder and agoraphobia and you can't go back to you job as a truck driver but you can work without being in crowded places or with the general public?? This makes no sense to me. What job could I do not working with people from my home? 4)      Is life over once I must go back on SSI or Social Security Disability? Check out my new Chat function on the Blog to give you REAL TIME conversation with me.  ]]> http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-12-4-2011/feed 1 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com General Legal Issues by Anthony Reeves, Esq. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:14:48 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/how-to-cure-the-credibility-cripplers-for-your-social-security-disability-case http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/how-to-cure-the-credibility-cripplers-for-your-social-security-disability-case#comments Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:22:44 +0000 Anthony Reeves http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/?p=1083   There are very few things that can kill your social security case.  If you apply for SSI and you win the Powerball multi-million dollar lottery, you probably won’t win your SSI case.  If you were out of work for 11 months and went back to work full-time, you probably won’t your disability case.  I know the process is long but it is a process. Fortunately there very few situations that may kill your disability case. However, there are a bunch of situations that may cripple your case.  You would be surprised by the things that people do or say that hurt their disability case: Are you still using drugs or drinking alcohol?  Yes. Are you still smoking even after the doctor told you to stop? Yes. The doctor told you to exercise.  Are you exercising?  No. It’s amazing.  What’s even more amazing is how people will try to tap dance around these facts in court: Why are you still using drugs or drinking?  Well, see, what had happened was……. Why are you still smoking?  I know I need to stop but I’m cutting down. Why aren’t you exercising?  It’s too hard to get out of the bed. Really? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sat in court and my client has blown up their case right before my very eyes.  What’s the most amazing part is that almost all of these situations are fixable.  So why not fix them? If you have a few crippling facts that may have a negative impact on your case, you should employ my E.F.M approach:Embrace it, Fix it, and Move on. Embrace it You would be surprised by the number of times people will sugar coat, downplay and even straight out lie about a negative fact in their case.  Why are you ducking it?  It’s in the file.  Everybody knows about it. And, guess what?  If you’re in front of the judge, you will not be looking very good to him/her if you’re not straightforward.  Stop tap dancing and just admit it.  A negative fact comes across much better coming directly from you as an acknowledgement as opposed to the judge asking you to explain something you’ve intentionally omitted. Fix it Stop making excuses for the problem.  You know what it is well in advance, fix it.  If the doctor tells you to stop smoking, stop smoking!  If your attorney or representative tells you to stop using drugs, stop using drugs! There is nothing in your case that can’t be fixed so stop making excuses and fix it. Move on You can’t undo the negative facts.  You can’t pretend like they never happened.  The best thing you can do is acknowledge the facts, highlight what you’ve done to fix them, and then stress how you have conducted yourself after you fixed the problem. In the end, you have the ability to heal the cripple in your case.  So you have to decide.  Do you want your case to walk into the court room or limp into the court room?]]> http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/how-to-cure-the-credibility-cripplers-for-your-social-security-disability-case/feed 0 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-1-15-2012 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-1-15-2012#comments Mon, 16 Jan 2012 01:45:12 +0000 Anthony Reeves http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/?p=1074

1. I have been receiving SSDI for approximately 2 years. I have now requested back child support and am wondering how my benefit will be affected. (My child has just turned 19 and is in college.)
2. Any tips to get the judge to more likely approve you?
3. If I get back pay for SSI, and not qualified for future monthly checks because my ssd, my ssi back pay is going to send to Public assistance. Does my Dib pay me back for the SSI which was sent to Public Assistance?
4. Can you do a video about federal court process?

]]> http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-1-15-2012/feed 1 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/unemployment-benefits-vs-social-security-benefits-how-do-you-know-which-one-to-collect http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/unemployment-benefits-vs-social-security-benefits-how-do-you-know-which-one-to-collect#comments Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:30:51 +0000 Anthony Reeves http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/?p=1058 No one prepares you for being disabled. And few people plan for that day; the day that your medical condition keeps you from working.  Our society has been conditioned on the premise that we all go to work, we retire, and then sail off into the sunset. So when it happens, it’s no wonder you aren’t prepared for the life altering decisions you have to make.  You’ve never gone to the government for help.  You’ve never applied for food stamps.  You’ve never gone to the health department.  You’ve never asked for help with the light bill, food, gas, or even shelter.  We aren’t wired this way.  We are strong.  We are capable.  We are resilient.  However, when faced with the reality of survival, we find ourselves having to make tough decisions and accepting the consequences that come with those decisions. The first decision we all make is usually all about money.  We need it to survive.  We need it to persevere.  So, when faced with the option of applying for benefits from the government, sometimes, the decision is not always neat. Let’s say you were let go from your job.  You know it was due to your health.  So, you decide to apply for Social Security Disability.  Why?  It’s simple.  You can’t work.  When you apply for Social Security Disability, you’re telling the federal government that you can’t work.   So, the decision to apply is easy. Unfortunately, you have to wait a long time to go through the process; sometimes months, or even years. However, you just realized that you also can apply for Unemployment.   Now, this puts you in a difficult position.  Why?  Because, when you apply for Unemployment Compensation, you’re telling your state government that you can work. So, wait? If I apply for Social Security Disability, I’m telling the government I can’t work. If I apply for Unemployment Benefits, I’m telling the government I can work. See the problem? So the question is:  What should I do?? This question is tough to answer.   Currently, there is nothing in the regulations that prohibits someone from receiving Unemployment Benefits and Social Security Disability benefits.  However, if you are receiving unemployment benefits, your credibility may be called into question.  Think about it.  You’re telling the government two different things.  So, which one should they believe? As an attorney, I can talk to you all day about the legal impact of applying for Social Security Disability and Unemployment Benefits.  However, I, also, understand the personal impact of applying for Social Security Disability and Unemployment Benefits.   You have hard choices to make.  When faced with the possibility of no income coming into your household, you will make a decision that is best suited for the livelihood of you and your family.  Let’s face it.  The light company is not going to hold off on letting you pay the let bill until you get disability.  The last time I checked, you can’t get groceries using an I.O.U. Am I saying you can’t get disability if you’ve applied for unemployment benefits?  No.   Will the fact that you applied for unemployment benefits be taken into consideration?  Absolutely.    Remember, everyone’s circumstances are different.   You may have applied for unemployment but didn’t get it because you told them you couldn’t work.  Perhaps you applied for unemployment, received it, but your condition got worse.  Or, you could have fallen under a variety of other scenarios.    Also, the impact of receiving Unemployment Benefits may also depend on who is making a decision regarding your Social Security Disability case. Just know that receiving unemployment benefits may impact your Social Security Disability case. However, the choice to apply for both is yours.  Simply put, at that crucial moment, you will be faced with the possibility of making a tough decision.   Apply for unemployment benefits with the knowledge that it may negatively impact your Social Security Disability case.]]> http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/unemployment-benefits-vs-social-security-benefits-how-do-you-know-which-one-to-collect/feed 0 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-12-4-2011 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-12-4-2011#comments Mon, 05 Dec 2011 02:41:34 +0000 Anthony Reeves http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/?p=1053 1)      What if I can't completely fill out the forms Social Security provides me, but do my best to complete? 2)      When should I hire a lawyer? 3)      I got a turn down letter on my second level of Ssdi. They said we know you have panic disorder and agoraphobia and you can't go back to you job as a truck driver but you can work without being in crowded places or with the general public?? This makes no sense to me. What job could I do not working with people from my home? 4)      Is life over once I must go back on SSI or Social Security Disability? Check out my new Chat function on the Blog to give you REAL TIME conversation with me.  ]]> http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-12-4-2011/feed 1 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-11-20-2011 http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/general-legal-topics-and-discussions/qa-social-security-disability-today-11-20-2011#comments Mon, 21 Nov 2011 02:22:01 +0000 Anthony Reeves http://legalbeat.anthonyreeves.com/?p=1047

1. I was wondering say I am already on a continuing disability review, if I were to start the ticket to work program would I be fired from a job that they helped me receive if I were to be determined not disabled?
2. Are there any rules that say we can’t have a po box because the mail is government stuff?
3. SSA stopped my checks after 4 months stating i have a warrant for probation violation that is about 14 yrs old.  I contacted the jurisdiction they stated we don’t have a warrant for you, and by the way, it was for DUI.  I did the probation requirements. I am not a criminal, and this is my $ anyway how do i fit in Clark vs Astrue?

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