The Disability Law Office of Jeffrey S. Lichtman, LLC

Individuals living with arthritis may be entitled to benefits.

FYI - Please share this with anyone in Philadelphia dealing with either a tax sale or mortgage foreclosure on a home in Philadelphia, PA: Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas President Judge Idee Fox has issued new administrative orders postponing February Tax Sheriff Sales to dates in May, 2021 (See Admin. Order 2 of 2021) and establishing protocol for providing notice of the new dates (See Admin. Order 3 of 2021). President Judge Fox also issued an administrative order postponing February 2 Mortgage Foreclosure Sheriff Sales to May 4 and June 1, 2021, per the schedule attached to the order (See Admin. Order 4 of 2021).

Does your arthritis qualify you for disability benefits? https://bit.ly/3ozRWpb

For anyone in the Philadelphia region who is having a tough time financially, consider this link: https://www.pgworks.com/customer-care/payment-assistance

Here is a nice start to the new year at the office. Received in today's mail with a nice bottle of whiskey was this note: "Jeff & Team, [Husband] and I can not express how grateful we are to have been referred to your office. We could not have done this without you. Thank you so much." If we undertake representation of you in your claim for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, we are in it to win it honestly and ethically. The bottom line is that you need to make certain you are treating for all of your health problems and not minimizing your symptoms.

A claim denial isn't always the end of the road.

People often ask for my thoughts on the subject of work for people who are receiving SSDI benefits. This is my answer. You work at your peril when receiving SSDI. Period. That said, gross [pretax] earnings below the "trial work month" amount ($940/month in 2021), you should be flying under the radar and should be okay. Between $940 and $1309/month, you’re in a gray area; though technically supposed to be safe, once a person starts achieving Trial Work Month level income, you are now on the radar. Monthly income at SGA levels, $1310 or higher in 2021, and you are not only on the radar, but there is a likelihood that SSA will be reviewing your entitlement to benefits in the near future.

Individuals applying for social security disability should follow these steps with their doctors.

How Do You Talk To A Doctor About Disability? https://bit.ly/3goR5Fe

Animals are often a strong source of love and comfort, both giving and receiving, which are important parts to persons’ overall health. I am proud to support a South Jersey rescue organization that is based upon a woman’s passionate devotion to saving the lives of animals and bringing together a network of fostering volunteers, volunteers at Pet Supply Stores, and future pet adopters. Jeff’s home is graced by several Randall’s Rescue cats, all of whom are men of leisure. If you know someone who is physically able to care for a pet and in need of company, consider assisting him or her in adopting an animal (not adopting for someone, which is a no-no). It could be the beginning of a great friendship and an incredibly loving gift.

Three ways to ease the disability application process https://bit.ly/3nOK96O

Please share this message. Make sure you have a plan to vote!

Many disability benefits claims are denied because certain requirements aren't met.

The below information is very important to know for anyone renting an apartment in Philadelphia, especially persons with young children. Lead poisoning can come from many sources, but lead based paint is a notorious source of brain damage to many children, especially among the indigent population due to neglectful property owners and landlords. I have represented many people who have been left cognitively impaired by lead paint poisoning and it is well past time regulations s...uch as these below are instituted. As of October 1, 2020, the City of Philadelphia will require landlords of residential properties to test and certify rental properties as lead-safe or lead-free in order to execute a new lease, renew a lease (including automatic renewals), receive a rental license, or renew a rental license. The regulation is subject to a two-year transition schedule consisting of four (4) phases of implementation based on zip code. A valid certification that a property is lead-free must state that a certified lead inspector determined that the property or unit was free of any deteriorated paint and that interior dust samples were collected, tested, and found to be in compliance with EPA regulations. The regulation requires landlords to obtain certification of rental properties as lead-safe or lead-free regardless of the ages of any children residing at the property and regardless of whether the dwelling units are subsidized by the Philadelphia Housing Authority or its subsidiaries, or privately owned but currently leased under the Housing Choice Voucher Program. Certification must be renewed every four (4) years. The legislation targets housing built before March 1978, even if renovated thereafter, excluding dwelling units developed by or for an educational institution for the exclusive residential use and occupancy by that institution’s students, where non-student family members are not permitted to reside (college dormitories). Housing built after 1978 will also be exempted from the lead certification requirements. The regulation will be implemented in four (4) phases over a two-year period. Under each phase, the regulation will apply to lists of zip codes identified by the City beginning on a designated date for each phase. Phase One begins October 1, 2020; Phase Two begins on April 1, 2021; Phase Three begins October 1, 2021; Phase Four begins April 1, 2022. The list of zip codes included for each phase can be found online. [1] Lead-based paint is defined as [p]aint or other surface coatings that contain lead in excess of 0.7mg/cm2, or such stricter regulations as may be established by federal law or by regulation of the Board of Health.

The main reasons the government denies Social Security benefits https://bit.ly/341Awtj

If you are receiving SSI and have minor children living with you, you need to read this immediately and take action. https://www.ssa.gov/coronavirus/eip/

Starting now, SSI and Social Security recipients who haven't yet gotten their $500 stimulus payments per dependent child have a new chance to get the payments. They will need to fill out the non-filer tax form on the IRS web site by September 30, 2020. They will likely get the payments in October 2020. Here's what you need to know: SSI and Social Security recipients should have received their $1,200 individual stimulus payments automatically. Now, they have until September... 30, 2020 to fill out the IRS non-filer tax form, to get $500 stimulus payments for their dependent children. Other people who don't usually file taxes can fill out the form through October 15, 2020, to get payments of $1,200 for adults and $500 for dependent children. Filling out the non-filer tax form can be tricky, but help is available. I'm attaching a guide from the City of Philadelphia about how to fill out the form online. The Campaign for Working Families is providing virtual and in-person assistance through this link: www.cwfphilly.org/stimulus. People who get stuck can call the IRS's hotline at (800) 919-9835. If they can't solve the issue on their own, they can get help from Philadelphia Legal Assistance at (215) 981-3800 or Villanova Federal Tax Law Clinic at (610) 519-5894. Families with even a little earned income may be eligible for a tax refund. If they fill out the non-filer tax form, it may be harder to get a tax refund later. So families with any earned income in 2019 should ask for advice from the Campaign for Working Families, Philadelphia Legal Assistance, or Villanova Federal Tax Law Clinic before filling out the non-filer tax form. Here's the back story: In Spring 2020, the IRS agreed to make $1,200 stimulus payments automatically to SSI and Social Security recipients, but recipients had to fill out the non-filer tax form to get the $500 payments for their children. The deadlines to fill out the tax form were very short -- just 40 hours for some people. A lot of recipients couldn't fill out the tax form in time. Until last week, the IRS said that people had to wait until next year, and file taxes, to get the dependent payments. On July 23, 2020, CLS, the Villanova Federal Tax Law Clinic, and Berger Montague teamed up to sue the IRS over its unreasonably short deadlines. On August 14, 2020 -- right before a preliminary injunction hearing was scheduled to be held -- the IRS agreed to give SSI and Social Security recipients more time to get payments. You can read more about about the IRS reversal here: https://www.washingtonpost.com//stimulus-check-payment-de/ This is a great victory for families, but it's only a victory if they are able to fill out the tax form and get the money they're due. Please help us to spread the word!

Any ailment that prevents someone from working could create a successful claim.

Could you receive disability benefits for arthritis? https://bit.ly/39EUGM1

Everyone that applies for disability benefits must prove that they meet certain requirements.

How does age affect a Social Security Disability Insurance claim? https://bit.ly/38n3THY

An SSDI denial is not a reason to panic https://bit.ly/2BRVv7q

Which mental disorders may qualify someone for SSDI? https://bit.ly/2A8zRLw