Can a Social Security Attorney in Las Vegas Help with Worker’s Comp Claims?

Generally speaking, a Social Security attorney in Las Vegas would not be able to help you with your Workman’s Compensation claim. They are usually two related, but distinctly separate areas of practice. In some cases, though, you may find that a firm is able to handle both cases; they employ attorneys who are individually familiar with each area of practice.

In either case, your Social Security attorney in Las Vegas will be able to advise you of the potential impacts of filing for Workman’s Compensation and SSDI or SSI at the same time. It’s important that he does so, too, as when you file for either can have a serious impact on the total amount of benefits you’re able to receive.

For instance, depending on how you file, you could end up impacting your ability to place a Workman’s Comp claim at all, or have the amount of SSDI you’re eligible for reduced. In either case, the end result is the same: less money for you and your family at the time you need it most.

By taking the time to discuss your options with a Social Security attorney in Las Vegas, you’ll not only understand the best order in which to file your claims, but you’ll also have the peace of mind that comes from knowing an experienced professional is handling your case.

With everything that could be on the line, it’s far too important to allow a seemingly small mistake to lead to serious long term repercussions. Even a difference in benefits of just a few hundred dollars a month could add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars in missed benefits.

You certainly have the right to file your claim on your own. If necessary, you can even appeal it on your own, too. But working with an experienced professional will help guarantee you receive what you justly deserve.

Taxes and Social Security in Las Vegas

It’s said that the only three things guaranteed in life are birth, death, and taxes. That’s even true for most of those receiving payments from the government for Social Security in Las Vegas. Here’s how it works:

1. Those receiving SSI (Supplemental Security Income) are rarely required to pay taxes. In order to receive these benefits, the recipient’s income must already be so low that it isn’t taxable.
2. Only one-third of those receiving SSDI (Social Security Disability Income) are likely to earn enough additional income to have their benefits taxed.

The income limits for taxing Social Security in Las Vegas are relatively straightforward. Those who file their taxes singly, but make less than $25,000 per year pay no taxes at all. Those filing singly and earning between $25,001 and $34,000 will need to pay taxes on half of their benefits. If you’re filing jointly and earning less than $32,000, you won’t have to pay any taxes, either, but you’ll pay on half if you’re earning between $32,001 and $44,000.

After these limits, the percentage of taxes paid on Social Security in Las Vegas increases to 85%. The total tax rate you’ll pay is determined by your income bracket, but generally falls between 10% and 35%.

When lump-sum payments are awarded, your tax situation can quickly become complicated and confusing. For instance, your lump-sum payments could push you into a higher tax bracket, increasing the amount of taxes you’ll have to pay. This has a negative consequence, though, in that you’ll end up receiving a smaller portion of your allotted benefits after paying your taxes. The entire situation can be avoided, though, so long as some of your back pay can be claimed as income from a previous year.

If you’re working with an attorney, you may want to ask them whether or not you should speak to an accountant for tax filing purposes.

How Does a Protective Filing Date Impact Your Las Vegas Social Security Benefits?

Just about everything involving your Las Vegas Social Security claim is tied to the date on which you filed it. This can have serious implications not only on how soon you’re paid after becoming disabled, but also the total amount of benefits that can be awarded. This is particularly important when it comes to Las Vegas Social Security Disability Insurance, as this short guide will explain.

Social Security Disability Insurance is, in Fact, a Type of Insurance

Because the government is involved in processing, reviewing, approving, and denying our claims, we tend to forget that it’s actually insurance, and as such, requires premium payments. Most of the time these premiums are paid through payroll taxes, and we never interact with them. This is an important caveat, because the total amount of benefits you’re eligible for are determined based on the total amount of premiums you have paid into the system.

Most applying for Las Vegas Social Security Disability Insurance benefits do so after they’ve already stopped working. Then, there’s additional time that passes while the claim is reviewed and a decision is rendered. During this time, it’s possible for your “coverage” to expire, causing your claim to be automatically denied.

If you think you might need to file for SSDI in the near future, and there’s a chance you won’t be able to continue working until the day you actually apply, it’s important to start the process today. Simply logging into the Social Security Administration’s website and starting the filing process will qualify as setting a protective filing date.

After you do so, it will probably make sense to discuss your case with an attorney, who can help you determine the best course of action for obtaining the maximum benefits allowed to you by law.

Should You Get Help Before Visiting the Social Security Office in Las Vegas?

Visiting the Social Security office in Las Vegas can be downright nerve-racking. Not only do you have to worry about all of the financial burdens accompanying your disability, but you’re now forced to deal with what might be the rudest bunch of employees outside of the DMV. While we’d like to say it isn’t true, a quick glance around the Internet will show that the public is genuinely dissatisfied by the service provided at the Social Security office in Las Vegas.

If you work with an attorney or non-attorney representative, you’ll be able to minimize the amount of time you’re required to spend in their office. In some cases, you may not ever even have to step foot in the building a single time. While that might help to soothe your nerves just a bit, there are a number of other ways that obtaining representation can help you in your dealings with the Social Security offices in Las Vegas.

The myriad forms that a claimant is required to fill out can be downright baffling. If even a single document isn’t handed in with your claim, or if a single field isn’t filled in properly, the entire process can be delayed, or your entire claim can be denied. The entire process puts a lot of additional, undue stress on those already suffering with a disability.

Hiring representation isn’t expensive, either. Your attorney or non-attorney representative is paid based on the total amount of back pay you’re awarded. This means that if your benefits are denied, you won’t pay a thing. It also means that your attorney is going to work as hard as possible to maximize the amount you’ll receive.

If you’re not sure if you actually need help, it wouldn’t hurt to speak with a Social Security Disability attorney about setting up an initial consultation.

SSA Expands Online Services

Want to do some financial and retirement research from the comfort of your own home, using your own computer?

The Social Security Administration has just expanded the services available with a ‘my Social Security” account, available through the SSA. Workers may create personalized online accounts, permitting access to benefit verification letters, payment histories and earnings records.Access can start during the working years and continue throughout the time benefits are received.

It certainly beats trekking to an SSA office, or spending time on the phone.

Beneficiaries (for both Social Security and Supplement Security Income benefits) can retrieve an official benefit verification instantly online. This letter serves as proof of income for loans, mortgages and other housing, plus state or local benefits. People can also use the verification letter to prove current Medicare health insurance coverage, retirement or disability status and age. The information could also prove useful and timely to a Social Security attorney or disability attorney working to help someone apply for Social Security Disability benefits.

Those not yet receiving benefits who sign up for an account can get a personalized online statement, with earnings and benefit information, and estimates of future benefits. The website also includes links to other information, such as applying for retirement, Social Security disability benefits and Medicare.

The online service lets people conduct business with the SSA without having to visit a field office or make a phone call. There’s also no need to wait for a verification letter (Social Security process nearly 9 million requests for the letters in the past year) to arrive by mail. And online services free employees to focus on other tasks, rather than complete verification letter requests.

People 18 and older can sign up for an account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount . Once on the site, people must be able to provide information about themselves, and give answers to questions only they are likely to know. After completing a secure verification process, people create a “my Social Security” account with a unique user name and password, permitting them to access their information.

Don’t Lose Your Appeal for SSD in Chicago By Being Unprepared

If you have gone through all the trouble of apply for SSD in Chicago or SSI in Illinois, you don’t want to have your claim denied because you weren’t well prepared. When your claim is denied, you must begin the lengthy appeals process. This happens to many applicants for SSD in Chicago and SSI in Illinois. You mustn’t be discouraged; now you need to have your wits about you.

The first step is requesting a hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). This hearing is very important, and a significant number of applicants for SSD and SSI ruin their chances of success by not carefully preparing for this hearing. To improve your chances of being approved for SSD or SSI, you should take the following steps. Even though doing these things won’t guarantee success, it will give you a better chance of approval.

Documentation is everything. When you apply for SSD in Chicago and SSI in Illinois, you must be able to prove that you are disabled and eligible for benefits. Medical records, your entire medical history, dates of doctor’s visits, medication lists, increasing or diminishing disability…all these things are vital to your claims for SSD in Chicago and SSI in Illinois. Get support statements from your physicians testifying to your disability.

Most importantly, hire a disability attorney in Chicago who has experience with SSD cases. While it is possible to do the appeal on your own, it is not advisable. Administrative law is very complicated, and there are often any procedures that must be followed perfectly to ensure you get legal relief. Not hiring an attorney may cost you your SSD or SSI. You need an advocate to not only help you prepare your documentation, but to stand up for your right to receive disability compensation today.

Additions to the Fast-Track Approval Process Keeps Disability Attorneys Busy

Disability attorneys across the United States are gearing up for an additional workload in anticipation of taking on more clients seeking disability benefits. In July of 2011, the Commissioner for the Social Security Administration, Michael Astrue, released an announcement that 12 additional Compassionate Allowances conditions were added to the list. Many conditions that involve severe heart diseases once took months to qualify, are now placed on the expedited disability-processing list.

Typically, a disability attorney will use the list of Compassionate Allowances as a quick way to identify their client's disease/condition to see if their medical issue meets the standards for benefits. The Social Security Administration provides this extensive condition/disease list as a quick source for individuals seeking available disability benefits. Many of these conditions include specific cancers, rare childhood disorders, and adult brain disorders.

Expanded Fast-Track System

Disability attorneys have long had to deal with the slow application process, waiting many months for an approval or denial determination from the SSA. Now, with many more conditions listed on the fast track system, their clients can begin receiving benefits quicker.

Increased Approved Claims

With the Compassionate Allowances list firmly in place, the quick disability determination process is now finalizing and approving cases in less than two weeks. Already approving over 100,000 cases each year, the SSA knows it will be receiving many more applications due to the recent additions to the Compassionate Allowances list. The SSA is now gearing up for an annual addition of 50,000 more cases.

Constantly seeking ways to improve the system, the Social Security Administration held numerous public hearings that involved experts interested in expanding the condition/disease list. Disability attorneys were eager to hear all the ways the SSA is working to improve the disability benefit process.

Because of the SSA changes, disability attorneys can now quickly help their clients. Now that the SSA is willing to agree there are disabilities severe enough to quickly move to a resolution with the application process, many more deserving disabled workers can receive the benefits they need.