Byland Injury & Disability Law

10/27/2025

Tips with Tim:
Social Security Administration (SSA) has released the official 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) effective January 2026.

Each year, the COLA reflects changes in inflation and directly affects millions of beneficiaries whose monthly income depends on Social Security and SSI.

COLA Increase: 2.8%
Effective Date: January 2026 benefit payments

Tim is here to walk you through every step.
Inquiries may be sent to:
[email protected]

03/21/2025

TIPS WITH TIM: DOGE now wants to cut off phone support to social security recipients and applicants, many of which cannot drive to local field offices to get help due to a multitude of reasons like disability, lack of transportation, lack of financial means, or inability to wait hours inside already distressed local SSA offices. I am urging my congressman that eliminating any further services does not promote DOGE’s superficial desire to eliminate fraud which was studied years ago to be statistically nominal.

https://www.axios.com/2025/03/17/social-security-trump-doge

03/10/2024

Tips with Tim:
Scientific Research published in the New England Journal of Science showing that COVID can also cause injury to the brain leading to a host of disabling neurological symptoms.

"The implications are far-reaching, from individuals experiencing cognitive struggles to the potential impact on populations and the economy."

Those who experience "Long Covid" symptoms need more support than ever.

Mounting research shows the disease can lead to an array of problems, including significant drops in IQ scores, writes Dr Ziyad Al-Aly.

12/18/2023

My is the same today as it was when I first started my practice. The relationships I have with my clients are built on a foundation of trust, empathy, and effective communication.

12/11/2023

Big shout out to Cooper Funeral Home in Campbell County! Heather is fantastic and dedicated to her family clients. Recommend calling Heather for services in Alexandria.

05/30/2023

Taking a moment to wish our very own, Tim Byland, a very happy birthday!

- No, Tim didn't write this. However, his Marketing Coordinator did write this and is certain that everyone else will want to wish him a very happy day! ;-)

02/13/2023

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/12/27/social-security-job-titles-disabled-applicants-obsolete/

11/11/2022

So very proud of my sister's improv work helping disabled veterans pick themselves up by their bootstraps. It's programs like this that can have the greatest impact.
A very special shout out of gratitude to all veterans and current military service members.
Thank you for your service.

https://news.vcu.edu/article/2022/11/how-saying-yes-and--is-helping-veterans-who-are-experiencing-homelessness

Elizabeth Byland

The classic improv technique equips veterans — and their health care providers — to contribute mindfully to the present moment.

04/06/2022

SSA Field Offices Reopen to the Public This Thursday, April 7. However be prepared for extraordinary wait lines at your local SSA office which has been closed to the public for over 2 years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020 Press Releases

09/26/2021

FYI

06/17/2021

SSA has been using outdated job lists which were last updated in 1991 to deny very hard workers their Medicare disability benefits. I have been fighting this issue on behalf workers for nearly 20 years. I have seen the workforce transform from using the old IBM wheelwriter typewriters in the 1990’s to now keyless computer dictation. But SSA has yet to catch up with the rest of the modern world and is still using jobs from the 1990’s which are either outdated or simply no longer exist.
https://www.wbtv.com/2021/06/11/obsolete-jobs-prevent-people-receiving-disability-payments/

The Social Security Administration uses a guide called the Dictionary of Occupational Titles that hasn’t been updated since 1991, even as technological advancements have made many of the jobs described in the book obsolete.