San Jose Social Security Disability Law Blog

Imagine that, after being critically disabled, someone is denied Supplemental Security Income because their partner makes slightly over minimum wage. For one couple, they are facing exactly that kind of situation.

After the husband broke his back in three different places 10 years ago, he was not able to work and became eligible for Supplemental Security Income benefits. However, because his wife now is earning slightly over minimum wage, his benefits have been substantially reduced. For many California couples, they are facing this situation as a reality.

Having a family member diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's is an understandably frustrating and powerless experience. A 22-year-old's father -- just 58 years old -- has been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's. The father's family did not initially think anything was wrong with him, attributing his repetitive questions to his working the graveyard shift at a casino. He subsequently lost his job and the symptoms persisted. Eventually Alzheimer's diagnosis was made, and the family decided to apply for a Social Security disability claim.

The illness diagnosis made the man ineligible for unemployment benefits and increased the need for immediate financial relief, but the family quickly discovered that Social Security disability benefits are subject to a waiting period. The son became concerned about what he believes are shortcomings in our nation's health care system.

Social Security disability is not just for those who have physical disabilities but also those who have mental disabilities as well. Those diagnosed with certain medical disorders sometimes cannot work and often rely completely on Social Security benefits. However, not many people are aware that Social Security disability and California government unemployment agencies often work together in order to coordinate payments. Normally, this doesn't cause any problem, but when the agencies make a mistake, they can typically cause the earner of Social Security disability to suffer quite a bit.

For one man who was diagnosed with schizophrenia and who regularly hears voices talking in his head, he is grateful for any of the help he has. Though he has tried to work several places before, his illness finally caught up with him as he approached the age of 30. After he started yelling at himself while he was stocking shelves, he was fired. When he realized the problem he had been trying to ignore since he was a boy had finally caught up with him, he left work in order to concentrate more fully on treating his illness.

If you are like most people in California, you know the basics about Social Security. For instance, you probably know that it is a federal program that can help United States citizens earn an income after they retire. You probably know that it is a hot topic of controversy in politics.

However, Social Security is far more than just a retirement program for people who are 62-years-old or older and have paid into the Social Security system. For those who are struggling with a disability, Social Security often provides the main income for a household.