Law Offices of Thomas B. Hanes

06/25/2018

According to this recent article in the New York Times, the number of Social Security disability applications and recipients is decreasing. At first glance that seems to be good news- perhaps to planners and actuarials. But behind the big picture, the long-suffering disability claimants still face long delays and face a system that disapproves claims at the rate of 52%. Claimants who can't work and lose their income become discouraged and tired while waiting for their hearing. I may be the only human voice that my clients hear and I never mind talking or returning a phone call

Fewer people are seeking and receiving Social Security disability benefits, reversing a long trend that had worried lawmakers about fraud and abuse.

01/22/2018

The government shut down will NOT affect your social security retirement or disability check. If you have business with Social Security or other Federal agencies, however, you might expect that the phones will not be answered and non-essential administrative tasks are not being performed.

12/11/2017

Social security disability means that someone has such a horribly disabling condition that there is not a single job that they can perform. That kind of pain is terrible no matter what your station is in life. But if you are like most folks your self esteem and well-being depends on having a job and the paycheck and insurance that goes with it. It is a cruel equation when so much is taken away and seemingly the system does not care. I understand. Let's talk.

10/21/2017

Every one us has a social security card and an account. This article bears out what I see on a daily basis. Customer service is being curtailed and this affects us all.

Budget cuts demanded by Congress are destroying Social Security's customer service.

09/16/2017

This is for my clients who have pending appeals before Social Security. Please read this. Write me if you have any questions.

I sure am glad President Trump isn’t considering me to be the new head of the Social Security Administration. What a thankless job! As about 10,000 people retire every day,

08/18/2017

Are you too young to retire, but unable to work due to a medical condition? You have paid into the social security program- through payroll deduction- for both retirement and disability benefits, It is your money and a benefit which you bought and paid for, so do not hesitate to apply if you have a severe medical impairment. The initial application is normally done without legal help, but I return calls every day simply telling folks how to begin the process. I don't mind, and I hope that a few minutes helps the process work a little better for my clients and the Social Security Administration.

Applying for disability benefits can be a long process for those that have never done it. And doing it alone can be time-consuming and confusing. An attorney can help expedite

07/25/2017

"When someone tells you that you don't need a lawyer, hire two." William Beaver, 2010

07/20/2017

Social Security has two separate funds: Retirement, and the Disability Fund. Neither are insolvent, and neither fund will go broke. Some mathematical recalculations may be needed to meet future funding needs, but things are ok.

05/18/2017

If you need information from Social Security, the nationwide number is 1-800-772-1213. Be patient. You may have to hold for a while, or you will be given the option of getting a call back. There have been cut-backs in the operating budget and it may take longer to get an agent, but generally they do a good job of answering questions.

03/24/2017

Every time I undertake any legal matter, big or small, I look at it as an opportunity to learn something. Maybe it is reading a statute, or picking the brain of a collegue, or doing legal research for my own curiousity, but I learn something every day. Complacency is the enemy of excellence.

03/13/2017

Social Security disability requires that a claimant have a severe impairment, expected to last longer than 12 months, and which prevents the claimant from engaging in gainful employment. No reasonable person would wish for such pain, and then, if successful, swap a work-life for one of receiving the equivalent of retirement benefits.
Now, even the meager disability benefits are harder to get. This is the trend throughout the country- even from Buffalo to Birmingham. If you are disabled, these are your benefits. You paid for the disability insurance and are entitled to a fair hearing.
My philosophy is that if you don't apply, or don't appeal, then there is a 100% chance of failure, so don't give up.

There are trends in Social Security disability practice that do not bode well for those representing individuals trying to receive this benefit. And it’s worse for their clients.

10/28/2016

Excellent seminar today at the Law School at the University of Alabama on Social Security Disability. Disability cases are getting more and more difficult for claimants. This is not welcome news for those folks who become disabled but it is a reminder of the the need for patience and putting the hard work into these claims.