Social Security Administration
If you are experiencing difficulties with the Social Security Administration (SSA) in obtaining disability, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), retirement or other benefits, or if you just need help in obtaining documents or other information, I may be able to assist you.  

To determine if you qualify for benefits through the SSA, you can call your local SSA office, or visit the SSA's web site.

District Offices

• Janesville:
  (608) 752-1399
  
  

• Kenosha:
  (262) 656-7844
  
  

• Milwaukee (South):
  (414) 427-8275
  
  

• Racine, WI:
  (262) 554-4089
  
  

• Waukesha, WI:
  (262) 542-7253

Or you can call the SSA toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (TYY: 1-800-325-0778).

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Many people think of Social Security as just a retirement program. Although it is true that most of the people receiving Social Security receive retirement benefits, many others receive Social Security because they are:

• Disabled; or

• A spouse or child of someone who gets Social Security; or

• A spouse or child of a worker who died; or

• A dependent parent of a worker who died.

Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for Social Security at any age. In fact, Social Security pays more benefits to children than any other government program.

For more information concerning Social Security benefits, please see SSA Publication No. 05-10024, Understanding the Benefits.   top

When a person who has worked and paid Social Security taxes dies, certain members of the family may be eligible for survivors benefits, depending on the person's age at the time of death.
According to the Social Security Administration’s website, Social Security survivor’s benefits can be paid to:

• A widow or widower -- full benefits at full retirement age, or reduced benefits as early as age 60; 
  
  

• A disabled widow or widower -- as early as age 50; 
  
  

• A widow or widower at any age if he or she takes care of the deceased's child who is under age 16 or disabled, and receiving Social Security benefits; 
  
  

• Unmarried children under 18, or up to age 19 if they are attending high school full time. Under certain circumstances, benefits can be paid to stepchildren, grandchildren, or adopted children; 
  
  

• Children at any age who were disabled before age 22 and remain disabled; 
  
  

• Dependent parents age 62 or older.

For more information, please see the SSA's How Social Security Can Help You When A Family Member Dies electronic fact sheet.   top

According to the SSA's web site, the Social Security Administration is responsible for two major programs that provide benefits based on disability: 

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is financed with Social Security taxes paid by workers, employers, and self-employed persons. To be eligible for a Social Security benefit, the worker must earn sufficient credits based on taxable work to be "insured" for Social Security purposes and must be found to meet the established disability criteria. Disability benefits are payable to blind or disabled workers, widow(er)s, or adults disabled since childhood, who are otherwise eligible. The amount of the monthly disability benefit is based on the Social Security earnings record of the insured worker.
  
  

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a program financed through general revenues. SSI disability benefits are payable to adults or children who are disabled or blind, have limited income and resources, meet the living arrangement requirements, and are otherwise determined to be eligible. The monthly payment varies up to the maximum federal benefit rate, which may be supplemented by the State or decreased by countable income and resources.  For an explanation of SSI benefit payment rates, please visit SSA's Understanding Supplemental Security Income web page.   top

According the to the SSA's web site, the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability programs are the largest of several Federal programs that provide assistance to people with disabilities. While these two programs are different in many ways, both are administered by the Social Security Administration and only individuals who have a disability and meet medical criteria may qualify for benefits under either program.

Social Security Disability Insurance pays benefits to you and certain members of your family if you are "insured," meaning that you worked long enough and have paid Social Security taxes.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) pays benefits based on financial need.

To apply for benefits, contact your local SSA office, or you can call toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778).  You can ask SSA to send you the correct forms, and they can answer questions you may have.   top

Disability under Social Security for an adult is based on your inability to work because of a medical condition. To be considered disabled:

• You must be unable to do work as you did before and SSA decides that you cannot adjust to other work because of a medical condition. 
  
  

• Your disability must last or be expected to last for at least one year or to result in death.
  
  

• You must meet the pre-established medical criteria.

Social Security pays only for total disability. No benefits are payable for partial disability or short-term disability.

For adults, the SSA uses a five-step evaluation process to decide whether you are disabled under Social Security. The process considers any current work activity you are doing, and your medical condition and how it affects your ability to work.   top

According to the Social Security Administration website, there are generally four levels of appeal. They are: 

• Reconsideration; 
  
  

• Hearing by an administrative law judge; 
  
  

• Review by the Appeals Council; and 
  
  

• Federal Court review. 

When the SSA sends you a letter about a decision on your claim, they will tell you how to appeal the decision.

Reconsideration

A reconsideration is a complete review of your claim by someone who did not take part in the first decision. The SSA will look at all the evidence submitted when the original decision was made, plus any new evidence. 

Most reconsiderations involve a review of your files without the need for you to be present. But when you appeal a decision that you are no longer eligible for disability benefits because your medical condition has improved, you can meet with a Social Security representative and explain why you believe you still have a disability. 

Hearing

If you disagree with the reconsideration decision, you may ask for a hearing. The hearing will be conducted by an administrative law judge who had no part in the first decision or the reconsideration of your case. 

The hearing is usually held within 75 miles of your home. The administrative law judge will notify you of the time and place of the hearing. 

You and your representative, if you have one, may come to the hearing and explain your case in person. You may look at the information in your file and give new information. 

The administrative law judge will question you and any witnesses you bring to the hearing. Other witnesses, such as medical or vocational experts, may give us information at the hearing. You or your representative also may question the witnesses. 

It is usually to your advantage to attend the hearing. If you do not wish to do so, you must tell the SSA in writing that you do not want to attend. 

In certain situations, the SSA may hold your hearing by a video conference rather than in person. The SSA will let you know ahead of time if this is the case. With video hearings, the SSA can make the hearing more convenient for you. Often an appearance by video hearing can be scheduled faster than an in-person appearance. Also, a video hearing location may be closer to your home. That might make it easier for you to have witnesses or other people accompany you. 
Unless the administrative law judge believes your presence is needed to decide the case, he or she will make a decision based on all the information in your case, including any new information given. 

After the hearing, the SSA will send you a letter and a copy of the administrative law judge’s decision. 

Appeals Council

If you disagree with the hearing decision, you may ask for a review by Social Security’s Appeals Council. The SSA will be glad to help you ask for this review. 

The Appeals Council looks at all requests for review, but it may deny a request if it believes the hearing decision was correct. If the Appeals Council decides to review your case, it will either decide your case itself or return it to an administrative law judge for further review. 

If the Appeals Council denies your request for review, the SSA will send you a letter explaining the denial. If the Appeals Council reviews your case and makes a decision itself, the SSA will send you a copy of the decision. If the Appeals Council returns your case to an administrative law judge, the SSA will send you a letter and a copy of the order. 

Federal Court

If you disagree with the Appeals Council’s decision or if the Appeals Council decides not to review your case, you may file a ¬lawsuit in a federal district court. The letter the SSA sends you about the Appeals Council’s action also will tell you how to ask a court to look at your case. 

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