Chicago Illinois social security newsletter, June 2013

1. Effective • Experienced• Compassionate
Fighting to Get You the Benefits You Deserve
Concentrating on Social Security Disability Law
Call Toll-Free: 866-352-5238
2013 Benefits Increase Among Lowest Since 1975
The Social Security Administration has announced a benefits increase of 1.7 percent for 2013. This is among the
lowest hikes since the United States began making annual adjustments in 1975.
The 2012 increase was 3.6 percent, and followed two years of no cost-of-living adjustments (COLA).
The cost-of-living adjustment for the more than 56 million Social Security beneficiaries begins with checks received
in January 2013. Increased payments to the more than 8 million Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries
began Dec. 31. 2012.
The average retired worker will receive a boost of approximately $21 a month this year, from $1,240 a month to
$1,261, or roughly $15,100 a year, according to the Social Security Administration.
The COLA increase also means a higher earnings ceiling for Social Security payroll taxes for workers. For the
second straight year, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax – known as the taxable
maximum – is going up, increasing $3,600 to $113,700 from $110,100. This will affect nearly 10 million workers,
of the estimated 163 million people who will pay Social Security taxes in 2013.
As an example, someone making $150,000 a year will pay Social Security taxes on $113,700 of earnings, instead
of $110,100. That will increase the worker’s Social Security taxes an estimated $223.20 for the year.
The cost-of-living adjustment is determined by the change in the “consumer price index for urban wage earners
and clerical workers, from the third quarter of the previous year (2011, this year) to the third quarter of the
current year.” This figure is determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The COLA was zero for 2010 and 2011. According to published reports, the annual COLA has been below 2
percent a mere five times, including 2010 and ’11, when it was zero. (Continued Page 2)

2. Attorney Neil H. Good has helped
people in all phases of the Social Security
Disability process, from initial application,
through appeals and hearings.
Call today. 866-352-5238
2013 Benefits Increase ... continued
Another significant change for 2013
is the end of the temporary cut in the
share of Social Security taxes paid by
workers. That share was reduced from
6.2 percent to 4.2 percent for the past
two years, but the cut expired at the end
of 2012.
Estimated Average Monthly Social Security
Benefits Payable in January 2013
Before 1.7%
COLA
After 1.7%
COLA
All Retired Workers $1,240 $1,261
Aged Couple, Both Receiving Benefits $2,014 $2,048
Widowed Mother and Two Children $2,549 $2,592
Aged Widow(er) Alone $1,194 $1,214
Disabled Worker, Spouse and 1 or More
Children
$1,887 $1,919
All Disabled Workers $1,113 $1,132
Maximum Social Security Benefit: Worker
Retiring at Full Retirement Age
2,012 2,013
$2,513/mo. $2,533/mo.
Involve an Attorney in
SSD from the Beginning
It’s true that many of the cases taken – and won – at the Law
Offices of Neil H. Good involve appeals of cases the Social
Security Administration has previously denied. We take great
pride in helping those whose cases have been rejected by the SSA
to obtain the benefits rightfully due them.
At the same time, we want to emphasize the value of having an
attorney involved in a case very early in the claims process, such
as at the INITIAL level.
Statistics (see chart at right) indicate that for 2010, nearly two-
thirds of the cases were denied at the initial application level. At
the “reconsideration” level, a route many applicants take after
being denied, the results are even more dismal, with more than
90 % rejected.
Our experience is that having an attorney involved typically tips
the odds in the client’s favor. Of course, no one can guarantee a
favorable outcome, but chances of victory are significantly higher
when a client has an advocate experienced in the complex process
of applying for Social Security Disability benefits.
A victory at the application level also means benefits are received
much sooner in the process.
Call BEFORE you apply.
Initial Application Level
1,957,275 Applications
710,732 Allowed
1,246,543 Denied
Reconsideration Level
614,683 Applications
49,971 Allowed
564,712 Denied
Hearing Level
111,650 Applications
84,989 Allowed
26,661 Denied
36.3%
63.7 %
23.9%
76.1%
8.1%
91.8%
Social Security
Field Offices Trim
Public Hours
Social Security field offices
throughout the country
trimmed their public
hours 30 minutes a day in
mid-November. Now the
hours are being cut even
more. In January, offices
began closing to the public at noon every
Wednesday.
Typical field office hours are now 9 a.m. to
3 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and
Friday, and 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesday.
How many cases are approved?
Attorneys are frequently asked what
percentage of SSD cases are approved or
denied. These charts show the statistics
for 2010. The information shows
applicants should remember not to give
up, and to involve an attorney or advocate
from the beginning.

3. Maximum Taxable Earnings: 2012 2013
Social Security (OASDI only) $110,100 $113,700
Medicare (HI only) N o L i m i t N o L i m i t
Quarter of Coverage: Earnings needed
to earn one Social Security Credit
2012 2013
$1,130 $1,160
Retirement Earnings Test Exempt Amounts 2012 2013
Under full retirement age. NOTE: One dollar
in benefits will be withheld for every $2 in
earnings above the limit
$14,640/yr.
($1,220/mo.)
$15,120/yr.
($1,260/mo.)
The year an individual reaches full retirement
age. NOTE: Limits apply. See http://www.
socialsecurity.gov/pressoffice/factsheets/
colafacts2013.htm.
$38,880/yr.
($3,240/mo.)
$40,080/yr.
($3,340/mo.)
Even Young People
Can be Disabled
At age 39, Jesus is considered “young” by
Social Security Administration standards.
He nonetheless won disability benefits,
after being injured doing factory work in
2008.
The former machine operator, who also
worked as a carpet installer, self-employed
carpenter and manager of an apartment
complex, has a ninth-grade education.
Attorney Neil H. Good represented Jesus
in his case, which went to the hearing
level.
An SSD Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)
ruled Jesus has degenerative joint disease
in both shoulders and was post-surgery for
rotator cuff repairs. Those impairments
do not equal or meet the severity of any
listing, but the judge ruled Jesus lacks the
residual functional capacity to lift more
than is involved for sedentary work and
also is unable to raise either arm about
shoulder level. In fact, Jesus needs two
hands simply to lift a gallon of milk.
“He is unable to perform any past relevant
work,” the judge ruled. “His acquired
job skills do not transfer to occupations
within the residual functional capacity
defined above. Considering his age,
education, work experience and RFC,
jobs do not exist in significant numbers
in the economy that he can perform,” the
judge ruled.
34%
19%11%
9%
8%
All other
impairments Musculoskeletal
system and
connective
tissue
Mental
disordersCirculatory
system
Neoplasms
Nervous
system
& sense organs
19%
Offering Experienced Advice on SSD and SSI Disability Requirements
The Social Security Administration considers someone disabled if:
• He or she cannot do work as had been done before;
• The SSA determines the applicant cannot adjust to other work because of his or her medical condition(s); and
• The disability has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year or to result in death.
Many diseases and health conditions, both physical and mental, may qualify for benefits. Frequently, it is a
COMBINATION of conditions that results in a ruling of being “disabled.”
Other requirements include:
• Age: Applicants must be between 18-62.
• Work History: Applicants must have worked and paid into the SSD system within the last five calendar years.
It’s a complicated, time-consuming process. Our staff takes great care to offer the advice you need to understand
that process, how to properly apply, and what you can expect from the SSD program.
Call before you apply! Remember, there is no fee until you win.
Conditions Awarded
Benefits in 2011
A top question from those
seeking Social Security
Disability benefits is
what conditions are most
likely to be awarded those
benefits. The Social Security
Administration's statistics for
2011 answer that question.
Musculoskeletal system and
connective tissue disorders led,
comprising 34 % of all awards. That
category includes such conditions as degenerative disc disease and
degenerative joint disease, other disc issues, spinal stenosis, and
bone fractures and conditions. Mental disorders are next at 19.3%.
Within that category, nearly half are mood disorders, such as bipolar
condition, depression and anxiety disorders.

4. Call Before You Apply ...
... Even If You've Been Denied, We can Help!
No Fee Unless We Win
800 E. Northwest Highway
Suite 814
Palatine, IL 60074
209 W. Madison Street
Suite 1
Waukegan, IL 60085
908 S. Route 31
McHenry, IL 60050
519 Main Street
Unit 1-BN
Glen Ellyn, IL 60139
30 N. La Salle Street
Suite 3400
Chicago, IL 60602
6655 W. Sahara Avenue
Suite B200
Las Vegas, NV 89146
Our staff is pleased to offer SSD benefits assistance to clients in Chicago, Palatine, Schaumburg and Waukegan,
as well as to residents of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will Counties, Illinois.
www.neilgood.com
Call Toll Free: 866-352-5238
Office Locations
Concentrating on Social Security Disability Law
800 E. Northwest Highway
Suite 814
Palatine, IL 60074
Contact Us for a Free Case Evaluation
Toll Free 1-866-352-5238
Offices in Cook, DuPage, Lake & McHenry
Counties and the City of Chicago