Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Depression and SSDI Benefits: Am I Eligible?
Being unable to work because of a disabling medical condition is devastating for most Americans, whether their condition results from a traumatic injury or a serious illness. When a medical condition means that you cannot work, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, which are payments through a program administered… Read More »
SSDI for Anxiety
Anxiety can be debilitating, and it affects millions of people. Indeed, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, “anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the US, affecting 40 million adults (19.1 percent of the population) age 18 and older every year.” While some types of anxiety disorders will interfere… Read More »
Bankruptcy and the Holiday Season: What You Should Know
The holiday season often involves spending a significant amount of money — or at least spending more money than you do on a regular monthly basis — during the holidays. For people who are already struggling with debt, the holiday season can be especially stressful, and they may feel pressure to purchase gifts and… Read More »
Can I Get SSDI Benefits During Retirement?
Whether you are planning to retire soon or are already retired, you might be wondering if it is possible to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits during retirement, especially if you were injured recently or have been receiving SSDI benefits for quite some time. In short, the answer is that SSDI benefits will… Read More »
Do Holiday Cash Gifts Impact SSDI Eligibility?
Are you planning to apply for SSDI benefits, are you waiting to receive SSDI benefits, or are you currently receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits? If so, you might have concerns about how certain actions could impact your eligibility. In other words, you might be wondering: are there certain actions or decisions that… Read More »
Can I Be Automatically Qualified for Social Security Disability?
If you were recently diagnosed with a disabling medical condition and are planning to seek Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you may be wondering about wait times and whether there are any options for being automatically qualified for benefits. If you begin to conduct your own research on the internet, you may find… Read More »
New Bill Proposes “Modernization” of SSD Program
Is the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program in need of modernization? According to a recent press release, US Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) have proposed a bipartisan bill titled “Improving Employment Options for DI Beneficiaries Act,” which is aimed at modernizing the current system. More specifically, the Act would “make… Read More »
Students Loans Have Restarted: Should You File for Bankruptcy?
As of October 2023, federal student loan payments have resumed. What that means for debtors in the St. Petersburg area is that they will need to begin planning for monthly student loan payments alongside other financial obligations. For student loan holders who were already struggling with debt before loan payments resumed, the addition of… Read More »
What is a Disability?
After a person has sustained a debilitating injury or has been diagnosed with a debilitating medical condition or illness, both the debilitated person and their doctors often talk in terms of disability. For example, a person who has been injured or recently diagnosed with an illness might speak about their disabling condition, or a… Read More »
How to Use the SSA Blue Book
Whether you are applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, it is important to learn more about the Blue Book and how to use it. If you have started to look into the process for seeking disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA), which handles both… Read More »
