Federal Disability Specialists

05/05/2026

The most basic question we get... what does it take to be awarded Disability with the Social Security Administration?
Here it is directly out of the Program Operations Manual Systems (POMS)....

DI 00115.015 Definitions of Disability

Under title II (SSDI) and title XVI (SSI), we consider a person disabled under Social Security rules if he or she has a medically determinable physical or mental impairment (or combination of impairments):

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that prevents him or her from doing any substantial gainful activity (SGA, currently in 2026 set at $1690 gross/per month), and

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has lasted or is expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months, or is expected to result in death.

NOTE: The definition of disability also applies to persons applying for child’s insurance benefits based on disability before age 22 and for disability benefits payable after December 1990 as a widow(er) or surviving divorced spouse.

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05/05/2026

Over the past week, FDS has looked into multiple online groups (Facebook, Instagram, etc...) for Social Security Disability (SSDI) / Supplemental Security Income (SSI) "help pages" created by individuals, advocacy groups, or like communities that were created to help those working through the Social Security process.

There is so much misinformation within each group it is completely astonishing! That being said, there is a lot of great information out there posted by reputable firms. But if you're new to it all, you could be easily be mislead.

Every claim in Social Security, whether it's Disability, SSI, Retirement, or even Medicare/Medicaid issues... its truly like a "Fingerprint". It's extremely rare that one case is like another.

FDS hopes to shed a little truth along the way, backing up our facts with very up-to-date policies from the SSA Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), the Program Operations Manual System (POMS), and the Hearings, Appeals, and Litigation Law Manual (HALLEX). Combining the language between all 3 systems, is a clear way in a sometimes gray area to completely understand the Social Security process. STAY TUNED!!!!

And of course, FDS is always a phone call away and would love to represent you, no matter where you are in the process prior to Federal Appeals.

04/27/2026

Just had another APPROVAL on an INTIAL CLAIM! What you say or do when you first sign up makes a difference!!!

03/23/2026

NADR Conference 2026!

03/01/2026

Prayer works. We are praying for our American men and women that serve overseas.

01/23/2026

Thankful to assist our clients and provide exceptional service while continuing to grow professionally!

11/11/2025

11/03/2025

Highlights from SSA’s 2026 Determinations

2.8% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) effective December 2025, payable January 2026

SSI Payment Standards:

Individual: $994/month

Couple: $1,491/month

Essential person: $498/month

Student earned income exclusion: $2,410/month (up to $9,730/year)

Representative payee fee limit: $57/month ($106 for certain disability beneficiaries)

Administrative assessment (“user fee”) on direct payment of representative fees: increases from $120 to $123 beginning December 2025, reflecting the 2.8% COLA

National Average Wage Index (2024): $69,846.57 (up 4.84% from 2023)

OASDI contribution and benefit base: $184,500

Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA):

Blind: $2,830/month

Non-blind: $1,690/month

Trial work period threshold: $1,210/month

10/28/2025

Social Security Administration announces a 2.8% raise for FY 2026.

Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for 75 million Americans will increase 2.8 percent in 2026. On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by…

10/10/2025

Working all night to achieve the best results!!!

09/10/2025

: Charlie Kirk has died after being shot at an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, President Trump said.

A suspect is currently not in custody, according to Orem police, which said they are supporting Utah Valley University in the investigation. https://abc7.la/4mU5LgR