Disability benefits through Social Security Disability Insurance are essential in order for a disabled person to survive in an economy that rewards those who can work. In order to qualify for those benefits, however, one must apply before their Date Last Insured or DLI. Here’s everything you need to know about how the Date Last Insured affects the application process. What Is the Date Last Insured? There is no set DLI that applies to everyone. Instead, there are rules that determine the DLI on an individual basis. Generally, the DLI is the date five years from when you last worked. … Read More

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a tax credit for people filing head of household, married filing jointly, single or as a qualifying widower who have adjusted gross incomes not exceeding specific yearly income limits as established by the IRS. Earned Income for EITC and Disability Benefits The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) does not consider disability benefits as earned income. Therefore, people on SSI or SSDI cannot claim the earned income tax credit. The IRS considers earned income as wages that you have paid federal, state and local taxes on. However, the IRS does classify disability retirement payments as … Read More

Multiple factors determine how much an injured worker receives from a workers compensation benefits claim. Most of these factors involve what happened to the worker as a result of the accident–severity of injury, whether body parts sustained complex injuries and if the impairment is permanent. In most cases, an employer and their insurance company will evaluate medical care costs and wage loss benefits to settle on an amount paid out at some point in the future. A settlement’s value may also increase if the injured employee proves they will need additional and/or ongoing treatments. How Much Can I Get from … Read More

If you want to make a will, but you’re not sure about the process, there are two options. You can hire a lawyer to help, or you can create your will yourself. Each of these options will have some advantages and disadvantages, however, according to your particular situation. Should I Write My Own Will? Writing your own will saves you the costs of hiring a will attorney, which is the primary reason that most people choose to do it themselves. You must be careful to comply with the laws, however, and it could be challenging to create a will if … Read More

Children with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) or those with a condition that falls on the fetal alcohol spectrum are typically able to get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. There are several listings that the Social Security Administration (SSA) when considering children and adults who struggle with fetal alcohol syndrome. If a child meets any of these criteria, it should be possible to get benefits. And even if the child does not meet criteria exactly, it still may be possible to get benefits if the child is impaired in some way. What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome? FAS is a condition that … Read More

If you’re sick or injured and no longer able to work, it can be a significant strain on your finances. In addition to healing, you also face the stress of ongoing financial responsibilities, and the approval process for Social Security Disability (SSDI) can be long and tedious. Fortunately, accepting financial help from friends or family is acceptable, even after you’ve been approved for benefits. SSDI is not need-based, so it isn’t affected by unearned income. What if My Spouse or Family Member Earns Income? The main criteria in SSDI is an established work history. Your benefits are based on your … Read More

SAFE House is a haven for people suffering from domestic violence. They provide support and guidance to those going through a difficult time, which is why Decker Law Office wanted to get involved. They’re making a charity donation to the organization so they can continue their efforts for the benefit of the whole community. Find out more about this adult house, and why they deserve the attention. What Is Domestic Violence Support? SAFE House is more than just a homeless child shelter. It’s a resource for everyone in the neighborhood who may be suffering. They take in everyone regardless of … Read More

When applying for Social Security disability benefits, the first part of the process is to determine your eligibility. The Social Security Administration uses a medical guide, the Blue Book, to decide if your illness or condition calls for disability payments. Though your condition may be severe, it’s not a guarantee that you’ll be approved for benefits when applying for SSDI. The SSA evaluates your remaining capabilities, known as your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC), to determine what work you can still perform. This means you need to prove that your current condition prohibits you from performing either the job you’re qualified … Read More

Can you file a wrongful death lawsuit if a loved one has been the victim of a negligent driver? Probably so. When someone is killed in a car accident and the at-fault driver was driving at a high speed, intoxicated or intentionally driving recklessly, you may indeed have a wrongful death case. Always contact a car accident attorney who is skilled in handling wrongful death lawsuits when a loved one has been fatally injured by a reckless driver. You may be entitled to compensation and even punitive damages if the driver exhibited especially egregious acts behind the wheel of a … Read More

A wrongful death lawsuit attorney litigates cases involving individuals who have died due to someone else’s reckless or negligent actions. The goal of a wrongful death claim is to obtain compensation for the emotional and financial hardship inflicted on family members by the death. Automobile accidents, medical malpractice and workplace accidents are often at the core of a wrongful death case. Who Can File a Wrongful Death Suit? Family members considered “heirs” can file a wrongful death claim. A wrongful death lawsuit attorney must prove the defendant (the person responsible for the unintentional death of a loved one) exhibited extremely … Read More