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Winning Isn't Easy: Navigating Your Social Security Disability Claim

Winning Isn't Easy: Navigating Your Social Security Disability Claim

Written by: Nancy Cavey
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About this listen

Nancy L. Cavey, a seasoned attorney with over thirty-nine years of experience, explains the complex world of filing for Social Security Disability benefits. Filing for disability can be a confusing, life changing event, so with her deft expertise, Nancy will guide you through:

- The ins-and-outs of qualifying for Social Security Disability benefits (such as age and insurance requirements).

- Information regarding the process and lifespan of a claim, from the initial application to the request for hearing stages.

- Traps one can fall into while navigating the Social Security Administration's step-by-step Sequential Evaluation.

- Insights, overviews, and claimant stories regarding disease-specific content (ranging from commonplace ailments such as workplace injuries or accidents, to difficult to diagnose illnesses such as Fibromyalgia, Multiple Sclerosis, and POTS).

- Pertinent news happening in the disability world, and

- Much, much more.

Each episode of our podcast Winning Isn't Easy will expose you to invaluable tips and tricks for surviving the disability claims process (a system that is often wrought with pressures and pitfalls designed to encourage you to give up the benefits you rightfully deserve). As host, Nancy will often be joined by guest speakers who themselves are industry experts, ranging from lawyers specializing in related fields and doctors focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of specific diseases, to our associate attorney Krysti Monaco.

In her late teens, Nancy's father was diagnosed with leukemia. As someone who witnessed firsthand the devastating emotional and financial impact on both individual and family that being disabled and filing for benefits can have, Nancy is not just an attorney, but an empathetic presence who understands what you are going through.

Do not let disability insurance carriers rob you of your peace of mind. As a nationwide practice, The Law Office of Nancy L. Cavey may be able to help you get the disability benefits you deserve, regardless of where in the United States you reside. Remember - let Cavey Law be the bridge to your benefits.

Check out the links below to engage with us elsewhere:

Website - https://caveylaw.com/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/CaveyLaw

© 2025 Winning Isn't Easy: Navigating Your Social Security Disability Claim
Economics Hygiene & Healthy Living
Episodes
  • Reductions in Social Security Disability Benefits
    Dec 17 2025

    Have a comment or question? Click this sentence to send us a message, and we might answer it in a future episode.

    Welcome to Season 1, Episode 43 of Winning Isn't Easy: Navigating Your Social Security Disability Claim. In this episode, we'll dive into the complicated topic of "Reductions in Social Security Disability Benefits."

    Many people assume that once Social Security Disability benefits are approved, the hardest part is over. In reality, benefits can be reduced, suspended, or taken away long after approval - often without warning. A few extra hours of work, a change in medical status, or a missed report can trigger serious financial consequences. In this episode of Winning Isn’t Easy, we explain the most common ways SSD benefits are affected after approval and why so many beneficiaries are caught off guard. A sudden drop in payments doesn’t always mean you did something wrong - but it does mean the rules are more complex than most people realize. We start with how work activity and income impact benefits, including what the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit really means, how the Trial Work Period works, and what happens during the Extended Period of Eligibility. We then cover other frequent causes of reductions, such as medical improvement reviews, overpayments, incarceration, debt offsets, and changes in assets or living arrangements. Finally, we examine the Windfall Elimination Provision, explaining who it affects, why it reduces benefits for certain federal, state, and military employees, and what the Supreme Court’s decision in Babcock v. Kijakazi means for National Guard dual-status technicians. By the end of the episode, you’ll have a clearer picture of how SSD benefits can be disrupted, which problems are preventable, and how to take proactive steps to protect the benefits you’ve earned.

    In this episode, we'll cover the following topics:

    One - Work and Income-Related Reductions

    Two - Medical, Financial, and Other Factors

    Three - National Guard Dual Status Technicians and Reduction of Social Security Benefits Under the Windfall Elimination Provision

    Whether you're a claimant, or simply seeking valuable insights into the disability claims landscape, this episode provides essential guidance to help you succeed in your journey. Don't miss it.


    Listen to Our Sister Podcast:

    We have a sister podcast - Winning Isn't Easy: Long-Term Disability ERISA Claims. Give it a listen: https://wiedisabilitypodcast.buzzsprout.com


    Resources Mentioned In This Episode:

    LINK TO YOUR RIGHTS TO SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY: https://mailchi.mp/caveylaw/your-rights-to-social-security-disability-benefits

    FREE CONSULT LINK: https://caveylaw.com/contact-us/


    Need Help Today?:

    Need help with your Social Security Disability claim? Have questions? Please feel welcome to reach out to use for a FREE consultation. Just mention you listened to our podcast.

    Review, like, and give us a thumbs up wherever you are listening to Winning Isn't Easy. We love to see your feedback about our podcast, and it helps us grow and improve.

    Please remember that the content shared is for informational purposes only, and should not replace personalized legal advice or guidance from qualified professionals.

    Show More Show Less
    22 mins
  • Inside the Social Security Disability System: Scams, Delays, and How to Protect Your Claim
    Dec 10 2025

    Have a comment or question? Click this sentence to send us a message, and we might answer it in a future episode.

    Welcome to Season 1, Episode 42 of Winning Isn't Easy: Navigating Your Social Security Disability Claim. In this episode, we'll dive into the complicated topic of "Inside the Social Security Disability System: Scams, Delays, and How to Protect Your Claim."

    Most people applying for Social Security Disability face the same frustrations: endless waiting, inconsistent updates, and a flood of confusing - sometimes threatening - phone calls. Between the growing backlog of disability claims and the rise of scams targeting vulnerable applicants, it’s easy to feel lost in a system that seems impenetrable. But the reality is more layered than it looks. Delays don’t mean your case has been forgotten, and not every call claiming to be from Social Security is legitimate. There are patterns behind the slowdown, and there are ways to protect yourself while you wait. In this episode of Winning Isn’t Easy, we break down how the system really works beneath the surface. We start with the scams that prey on disability applicants - what they look like, why they’re increasing, and how to spot the red flags before you lose money or personal information. Then we take you behind the curtain of Disability Determination Services to explain what’s driving the backlog, how claims are actually evaluated, and why the wait times have grown so dramatically. Finally, we give you concrete strategies for staying proactive while your claim is pending: keeping medical evidence current, strengthening your file, and supporting your mental and financial well-being during the long stretch between filing and decision. You’ll come away with a clearer picture of the Social Security Disability process, the safeguards you can rely on, and the steps that genuinely move your claim forward. Understanding the system is the first step - navigating it with confidence is the next.

    In this episode, we'll cover the following topics:

    One - Slam the Scam - How to Spot and Stop Social Security Scams

    Two - The Growing Backlog in Social Security Disability Claims

    Three - Staying Proactive While You Wait - Taking Control of Your Disability Claim

    Whether you're a claimant, or simply seeking valuable insights into the disability claims landscape, this episode provides essential guidance to help you succeed in your journey. Don't miss it.


    Listen to Our Sister Podcast:

    We have a sister podcast - Winning Isn't Easy: Long-Term Disability ERISA Claims. Give it a listen: https://wiedisabilitypodcast.buzzsprout.com


    Resources Mentioned In This Episode:

    LINK TO YOUR RIGHTS TO SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY: https://mailchi.mp/caveylaw/your-rights-to-social-security-disability-benefits

    FREE CONSULT LINK: https://caveylaw.com/contact-us/


    Need Help Today?:

    Need help with your Social Security Disability claim? Have questions? Please feel welcome to reach out to use for a FREE consultation. Just mention you listened to our podcast.

    Review, like, and give us a thumbs up wherever you are listening to Winning Isn't Easy. We love to see your feedback about our podcast, and it helps us grow and improve.

    Please remember that the content shared is for informational purposes only, and should not replace personalized legal advice or guidance from qualified professionals.

    Show More Show Less
    26 mins
  • Social Security Myths: Fraud, Immigrants, and Inmates - What’s Really Going On
    Dec 3 2025

    Have a comment or question? Click this sentence to send us a message, and we might answer it in a future episode.

    Welcome to Season 1, Episode 41 of Winning Isn't Easy: Navigating Your Social Security Disability Claim. In this episode, we'll dive into the complicated topic of "Social Security Myths: Fraud, Immigrants, and Inmates - What’s Really Going On."

    Most people hear the same viral stories about Social Security - “deadbeat fraudsters gaming the system,” “illegal immigrants draining benefits,” or “prisoners collecting checks from their cells.” These narratives spread quickly through headlines and social media, creating the impression that Social Security is overflowing with abuse. But the truth is far more nuanced. Fraud exists, but it’s rare, and the sensational cases you see in the news are the exception. Undocumented workers aren’t bankrupting the system; many actually pay into it knowing they’ll never receive benefits. And prisoners do not continue getting checks while incarcerated. In this episode of Winning Isn’t Easy, Nancy L. Cavey cuts through the noise to explain what’s really happening. She breaks down how Social Security evaluates disability claims, how contributions and eligibility work for citizens and non-citizens, and what the regulations actually say about fraud, incarceration, and repayment. Nancy also explores why these myths persist and how misunderstanding the system harms the people it’s meant to support. You’ll walk away with a clearer view of how Social Security functions, the safeguards already in place, and the facts behind the headlines. Understanding the truth is the first step. Let’s dive in.

    In this episode, we'll cover the following topics:

    One - Are There Really Deadbeat Frauds Collecting Social Security Disability?

    Two - Are Illegal Immigrants Bankrupting Social Security?

    Three - Are Prisoners Collecting Social Security and Bankrupting the System?

    Whether you're a claimant, or simply seeking valuable insights into the disability claims landscape, this episode provides essential guidance to help you succeed in your journey. Don't miss it.


    Listen to Our Sister Podcast:

    We have a sister podcast - Winning Isn't Easy: Long-Term Disability ERISA Claims. Give it a listen: https://wiedisabilitypodcast.buzzsprout.com


    Resources Mentioned In This Episode:

    LINK TO YOUR RIGHTS TO SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY: https://mailchi.mp/caveylaw/your-rights-to-social-security-disability-benefits

    FREE CONSULT LINK: https://caveylaw.com/contact-us/


    Need Help Today?:

    Need help with your Social Security Disability claim? Have questions? Please feel welcome to reach out to use for a FREE consultation. Just mention you listened to our podcast.

    Review, like, and give us a thumbs up wherever you are listening to Winning Isn't Easy. We love to see your feedback about our podcast, and it helps us grow and improve.

    Please remember that the content shared is for informational purposes only, and should not replace personalized legal advice or guidance from qualified professionals.

    Show More Show Less
    19 mins
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