Nolo's Guide to Social Security Disability: Getting & Keeping Your Benefits (Nolo's Guide to Social Security Disability, 1st ed)

Rating:
Summary: One of three best Social Security disability books
Review: As a lawyer I recommend three books to individuals who ask for help in getting their Social Security disability benefits. First is our Disability Workbook for Social Security Applicants. Everyone tells me that this book greatly simplifies getting disability benefits. I can testify that interviewing a client is much easier when he or she has used the Disability Workbook. Second, the book How to Get SSI and Social Security Disability, by Mike Davis, is insightful and easy to read. Mr. Davis is a former disability examiner. His clear explanations of common bureaucratic problems make his book one of my favorites. Finally, I use Dr. David Morton's Nolo's Guide to Social Security Disability. Dr. Morton is a former disability determination services staff physician who describes Social Security medical decision making better than anyone else I know. Every doctor who communicates with Social Security about patients should have Dr, Morton's book on the shelf - and every disability lawyer. I give all three books the highest rating.

Rating:
Summary: MUST HAVE
Review: Bought this book as part of prep for application for ssdi. (also bought how to get ssi and ssdi by mike davis and dis workbook for ss applicants by doug. smith). Each book explained a diff part of the ssdi process. This book told what each med diagnosis needed to establish to qualify for perm. disability. And it goes on to explain how to keep your ssdi once you get your award. I did win my case the first try using the info in the 3 books. Having them made all the diff in the world in understanding the ssdi process. Best $[money]. (all 3 books) I ever spent...

Rating:
Summary: Get and keep your ssdi
Review: Bought this book as part of prep for application for ssdi. (also bought how to get ssi and ssdi by mike davis and dis workbook for ss applicants by doug. smith). Each book explained a diff part of the ssdi process. This book told what each med diagnosis needed to establish to qualify for perm. disability. And it goes on to explain how to keep your ssdi once you get your award. I did win my case the first try using the info in the 3 books. Having them made all the diff in the world in understanding the ssdi process. Best $[money]. (all 3 books) I ever spent...

Rating:
Summary: MUST HAVE
Review: Filing for Social Security Disability benefits is not easy. This guide explains EVERYTHING in easy to understand terms. I wish I had ordered it before the first denial. I am using this book while filing a reconsideration. The suggestions provided have really opened my eyes to the process. I highly recommend this book to people who want a little extra information on the SSA's thought process when going over your application.

Rating:
Summary: A godsend for the layman
Review: Once again, Nolo, that nemesis of the legal profession, has come out with a book guiding the intelligent laymen through the twists and turns of the labyrinthine rules and regulations, on this occasion of SSI and SSDI, so that he is as little dependent on an attorney as is possible in this day and age. The author is David A. Morton III, M.D. Consistent with other Nolo publications, Dr. Morton provides the layman with extensive case studies and copies of forms, so that seemingly abstract matters are made concrete and real to the layman. Dr. Morton comes across as a responsible and concerned physician: Hippocratic rather than hypocritic. He is, indeed, passionately concerned about new laws in the works that invite fraud by allowing non-medical personnel to review claims. He regales us with the "crazy checks" fiasco of the early 90's (pg.6/9) in which, due to a number of political factors, the SSA issued checks to nearly every parent who claimed his/her child had a disability. He sees the agency returning to that sort of corruption in these new laws. As he states at the end of Chapter Six, "...the medical knowledge of even the worst doctors far exceeds that of examiners." Thus, the book is at once an excellent hands-on manual in dealing with claims and a clarion call, awakening us to the infringement of our right to a medical review of our claims in this area.

Rating:
Summary: Essentials for Obtaining/Keeping SSI/SSDI Benefits
Review: This book contains valuable information for the professional and layman seeking to obtain and keep SSI/SSDI benefits. It is an easily read road map, taking the reader through a maze of bureaucratic terminology and procedures. Glossaries explaining terms and "government speak" are strategically placed throughout. Samples of all major forms used by the system are presented with guidance on how to complete them. Most importantly, Dr. Morton cautions the reader about impending laws being contemplated by SSA which would severely complicate matters, and possibly invite fraud, by having non-medical personnel review claims for benefits--which by definition, are medical/psychological documents. This warning and the data presented make for a valuable reading event.

Rating:
Summary: A great reference book overall
Review: This is an excellent book of the whole area of Social Security Disability benefits and how to fill the forms out completely, when to seek an attorney for appeals etc, and a rather extensive section on what the term disability means to Social Security and what diseases, conditions etc qualify and which do not. The only area lacking was disabled spousal Social Security Disability coverage, which a spouse under age 50 with no minor children must file for in the same way the working spouse who becomes disabled would have to do. I plan on donating my copy which I bought via Amazon.com to my local public library.