Episode Summary:

In this empowering episode, Deborah Spector tackles “invisible” conditions like chronic pain, headaches, and mental health disorders. The discussion covers medically determinable impairments, consistency rules, journaling strategies, and building credibility through candid, corroborated evidence.

Key Timestamps:

00:01 - Show Introduction

00:30 - Guest Introduction

00:50 - Defining Invisible Disabilities

02:00 - Medically Determinable Impairment Rule

04:00 - Pain Evaluation Process

05:30 - Mental Health Documentation

07:00 - Journals & Third-Party Letters

09:00 - Consistency = Credibility

11:00 - Good-Day/Bad-Day Reporting

13:00 - Special Rules (Fibromyalgia/CRPS)

15:00 - Don’t Give Up—Keep Appealing

17:00 - Closing Remarks

About the Show:

"Social Security and Disability: The Approval Path with Deborah Spector" is a podcast dedicated to navigating SSDI/SSI claims. Deborah Spector shares 40+ years of insights to help claimants secure approvals from application through federal appeals.

Episode Summary:

In this practical episode, Deborah Spector demystifies Social Security's consultative exams (CEs)—why they're ordered, how to prepare, and post-exam steps. The discussion covers candor, documentation, report review, and leveraging CE findings alongside treating physician records.

Key Timestamps:

00:01 - Show Introduction

00:30 - Guest Introduction

00:50 - CE Definition & Purpose

02:30 - Scheduling Triggers

04:00 - Preparation Essentials

05:30 - Exam Content by Type

07:30 - Covering Multiple Issues

09:00 - Common Mistakes

10:30 - Report Usage & Weight

13:00 - CE vs. Treating Records

15:00 - Anxiety Management

16:30 - Closing Remarks

About the Show:

"Social Security and Disability: The Approval Path with Deborah Spector" is a podcast dedicated to navigating SSDI/SSI claims. Deborah Spector shares 40+ years of insights to help claimants secure approvals from application through federal appeals.

In this episode, Deborah Spector, lead attorney at Spector & Lenz, breaks down how Social Security Disability (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), long-term disability, and workers’ compensation benefits are taxed. She explains the key income thresholds, what makes SSDI taxable, and why SSI usually isn’t. Deborah also shares what to know about double taxation, back pay taxes, and how to plan ahead with proper withholding or help from an accountant to avoid unexpected tax bills.

00:00 – Do you owe taxes on your disability benefits? 01:30 – Why SSDI benefits aren’t always tax-free 03:00 – Income limits for single vs. joint filers and how taxation applies 05:00 – Withholding options to avoid large tax bills 06:00 – How much of your SSDI can be taxed (up to 85%) 07:00 – Why SSI benefits are not taxable 08:30 – How other income (work, pension, LTD) affects SSDI taxes 10:00 – The role of long-term disability and workers’ compensation in taxation 12:00 – How SSDI back pay is treated for tax purposes 14:00 – The importance of consulting an accountant for tax planning 15:00 – Why everyone should create a “My Social Security” account on ssa.gov

The Disability Approval Path helps individuals understand and navigate the Social Security Disability process with clarity and confidence. Each episode offers straightforward legal insights and practical steps to help claimants protect their rights and make informed financial decisions.