Are You Ashamed To Be Disabled?

     There are many who think that everyone who files for Social Security disability benefits could really work if they wanted unless they were "truly disabled" by which they sort of mean "in a comma." This leads to many disabled people feeling ashamed themselves at being disabled. They think others will look down on them if they know about the disability. It feels to them like their disability is a personal failure.

    This shame at being disabled has several bad effects. Disabled individuals suffer from inappropriate guilt and depression. They con themselves into believing that recovery from disability is right around the corner. They delay filing a claim for Social Security disability benefits because they believe that would be the admission of a personal failing. Often they fail to act until they're literally homeless.

    Please accept that disability is a real thing. Your disability probably isn't going away. If you think that others will judge you harshly because you apply for Social Security disability, they're not going to know unless you tell them. Social Security isn't going to tell them. In the end, what do you care what other people think? Get over it! Do what you need to do! How is being homeless less shameful than filing a claim for Social Security disability benefits?

    On a selfish basis, it's stressful dealing with desperate clients. They wait until they're about to be homeless before they file for Social Security disability benefits. They can't believe how long it takes to get a favorable decision from Social Security. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to see you if you've waited this long but be realistic. If you've been out of work due to illness or injury for more than about six months, you're not likely to be able to get back to doing enough work to support yourself. Do what you have to do.

If you're in NC and want help with your Social Security disability claim, call Hall & Rouse, P.C. at 1-866-425-5347

Diabetes

     Diabetes is a common health problem and a common reason why Social Security disability claims get filed and approved.

    As with most conditions, age makes a huge difference with Social Security disability claims based upon diabetes. It become less difficult to be approved after age 50 and a good deal less difficult after age 55.

    Another factors that make a difference with Social Security disability claims is the extent of damage that the diabetes has done to a person's body. I don't know that there can be a comprehensive list of all the things that diabetes can do to a body. Here are some of the more common:

• Eye damage
• Kidney damage
• Peripheral neuropathy --numbness, burning, tingling in the feet and lower legs
• Heart problems
• Blood circulation problems
• Stomach problems
• Liver damage

If you're in NC and want help with your Social Security disability claim, call Hall & Rouse, P.C. at 1-866-425-5347

Are Social Security Disability Benefits Taxable?

    Your Social Security disability benefits may be partially taxable. Like everything about the tax laws, it's complicated. I'll try to hit a couple of the most important parts.

• One-half of Title II Social Security benefits is taxable to the extent that the Social Security benefits, when added to the taxpayer's gross income and some sorts of nontaxable income, such as tax-exempt municipal bond interest, exceeds $25,000, in the case of a single taxpayer or $32,000 in the case of a married taxpayer, filing jointly. The percentage that is taxed goes up to 85%% to the extent that the taxpayer's income goes over $34,000 if the taxpayer is filing as a single individual or $44,000 if filing jointly.
• Payments of back Social Security benefits typically are for periods of time that cover more than one calendar year. Back benefits covering two or more years might have not been taxable at all or only taxable in small part if they had been paid at the time they were due. The Internal Revenue Code makes a specific provision for this situation. If the taxpayer so elects, the amount included in gross income by reason of receiving these back Social Security benefits is only the sum of the increases in gross taxable income for the prior taxable years that would have resulted solely from taking into account the portion of the benefits paid for that prior taxable year. The election is made by writing in the letters "LSE" (for lump-sum election) to the left of line 21a on the form 1040. This does not mean that the Social Security claimant who receives a large amount of back benefits can or should file amended tax returns for prior years. The back Social Security benefits must be included in the tax return for the current year, but only to the extent that they would have been included if they had been paid when they were due.

    Things get really complicated if you've also received Long Term Disability benefits, usually from an employer sponsored plan. You really need to see a tax professional about that sort of thing.