Winning Isn't Easy: Social Security ®

Nancy Cavey
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Nancy L. Cavey, a seasoned attorney with over forty 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: Social Security ® 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 the 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

  1. Loeys-Dietz Syndrome: From Daily Challenges to SSDI Benefits

    5d ago

    Loeys-Dietz Syndrome: From Daily Challenges to SSDI Benefits

    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 2, Episode 24 of Winning Isn't Easy: Social Security ®. In this episode, we'll dive into Loeys-Dietz Syndrome: From Daily Challenges to SSDI Benefits. Loeys-Dietz Syndrome (LDS) is a rare connective tissue disorder that can affect multiple body systems, creating significant medical complications and functional limitations that interfere with daily life and employment. Despite the seriousness of the condition, many Social Security Disability applicants face challenges because rare disorders like LDS are often poorly understood during the disability evaluation process. In this episode of Winning Isn't Easy, we examine how Loeys-Dietz Syndrome can support a Social Security Disability claim and how the Social Security Administration evaluates impairments that do not always fit neatly within its disability listings. We discuss the medical characteristics of LDS, the importance of documenting functional limitations across multiple organ systems, and the types of evidence that can strengthen a claim. We also explore common reasons these claims are denied and practical strategies for presenting medical records that accurately reflect the real-world impact of living with Loeys-Dietz Syndrome. Whether you are applying for benefits or appealing a denial, this episode provides valuable insight into how the SSA evaluates rare genetic disorders and what you can do to build a stronger disability claim. In this episode, we'll cover the following topics: One - What Is Loeys-Dietz Syndrome? Two - Social Security’s Five-Step Sequential Evaluation Test Three - Daily Life, Limitations, and Disability Considerations 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 ®. 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.

    19 min
  2. The Doctor Will See You Now: Surviving Your Social Security Consultative Exam

    Jul 1

    The Doctor Will See You Now: Surviving Your Social Security Consultative Exam

    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 2, Episode 23 of Winning Isn't Easy: Social Security ®. In this episode, we'll dive into The Doctor Will See You Now: Surviving Your Social Security Consultative Exam. The Consultative Examination (CE) is often a misunderstood and anxiety-inducing stage of the Social Security Disability process. A single appointment with a physician selected by the Social Security Administration can play a significant role in the evaluation of a disability claim, leaving many applicants uncertain about why the examination is required and how it may affect their case. In this episode of Winning Isn't Easy, we explain the purpose of the Consultative Examination, when Social Security orders one, and how the findings are used during the disability determination process. We discuss why claimants are referred to doctors they have never met, what to expect before, during, and after the examination, and the common misconceptions surrounding these evaluations. We also explore practical strategies for preparing for the appointment, accurately communicating your limitations, and avoiding mistakes that could undermine your claim. Whether you have recently received notice of a Consultative Examination or simply want to better understand this step in the Social Security Disability process, this episode provides valuable insight into not only what the examination is and why it matters, but also how to approach it with confidence. In this episode, we'll cover the following topics: One - The Dreaded Letter - What Is a Consultative Exam? Two - Before You Go - The Power of Preparation Three - In the Exam Room - Honesty is Your Only Strategy 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 ®. 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.

    15 min
  3. Sleep Apnea and Social Security Disability: Why Claims Fail

    Jun 24

    Sleep Apnea and Social Security Disability: Why Claims Fail

    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 2, Episode 22 of Winning Isn't Easy: Navigating Your Social Security Disability Claim. In this episode, we'll dive into Sleep Apnea and Social Security Disability: Why Claims Fail. Sleep apnea and other sleep disorders can have a profound impact on a person's ability to function, affecting concentration, memory, energy levels, and overall work performance. Despite these challenges, Social Security Disability claims based on sleep disorders are often difficult to prove and frequently result in denials. In this episode of Winning Isn’t Easy, we examine why disability claims involving sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy, and related sleep disorders face unique obstacles within the Social Security Disability system. We discuss how Social Security evaluates these claims, the medical and functional evidence needed to establish disability, and why a diagnosis alone is rarely enough to secure benefits. We also explore the reasons many claims are denied, the importance of documenting the real-world effects of sleep-related impairments, and the steps claimants can take to strengthen their cases. If you are considering filing for Social Security Disability benefits because of a sleep disorder, or if your claim has already been denied, this episode provides valuable insight into the challenges these claims present and what it takes to pursue a successful outcome. In this episode, we'll cover the following topics: One - Why Sleep Apnea Social Security Disability Claims Are Often Denied Two - How Social Security Evaluates Sleep Disorder Disability Claims Three - Five Ways to Strengthen and Win Your Sleep Disorder 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.

    21 min
  4. Too Young to Be Disabled? The Unseen Fight of the Young SSDI Applicant

    Jun 17

    Too Young to Be Disabled? The Unseen Fight of the Young SSDI Applicant

    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 2, Episode 21 of Winning Isn't Easy: Navigating Your Social Security Disability Claim. In this episode, we'll dive into Too Young to Be Disabled? The Unseen Fight of the Young SSDI Applicant. For younger adults living with serious illnesses or injuries, obtaining Social Security Disability benefits can be particularly challenging. Although age is not supposed to determine the outcome of a claim, younger applicants often face heightened skepticism about the severity of their condition and their ability to work. In this episode of Winning Isn’t Easy, we examine why disability claims filed by individuals in their 20s, 30s, and 40s are frequently more difficult to prove than claims filed by older workers. We discuss how Social Security evaluates disability claims, the role age plays within the agency’s rules and vocational framework, and why younger claimants are often expected to adapt to other types of work despite significant limitations. We also explore the evidence needed to overcome these obstacles, the common mistakes that can undermine a claim, and the strategies that can strengthen a case. If you are a younger worker considering applying for Social Security Disability benefits, this episode provides valuable insight into the challenges these claims face and what it takes to secure approval. In this episode, we'll cover the following topics: One - The Credibility Gap: Overcoming the "You Look Fine" Problem Two - The Grids - How the Rules are Written for the Old Three - The Evidence Challenge: A Short Past, An Uncertain Future Four - The Winning Strategy: A War of Attrition 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.

    16 min
  5. Scleroderma and Social Security: What You Need to Know to Get Benefits

    Jun 10

    Scleroderma and Social Security: What You Need to Know to Get Benefits

    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 2, Episode 20 of Winning Isn't Easy: Navigating Your Social Security Disability Claim. In this episode, we'll dive into Scleroderma and Social Security: What You Need to Know to Get Benefits. For people living with scleroderma, the impact of the disease can be profound. Pain, fatigue, organ involvement, digestive complications, and mobility limitations can make it difficult to maintain employment and carry out everyday activities. Yet when it comes to Social Security Disability benefits, a diagnosis alone is rarely enough to secure approval. In this episode of Winning Isn’t Easy, we examine how Social Security evaluates disability claims involving scleroderma and why proving disability is often more challenging than many claimants expect. We discuss the wide range of symptoms associated with the disease, how the variability of those symptoms can affect a claim, and why judges often focus on a claimant’s ability to function despite periods of relative improvement. We also explore the medical evidence needed to support a claim, the complications that may strengthen a case, and the critical role residual functional capacity (RFC) plays in determining whether benefits are awarded. If you are considering filing for disability benefits due to scleroderma, this episode offers a clearer understanding of how these claims are evaluated and what evidence can make the difference between approval and denial. In this episode, we'll cover the following topics: One - Do I Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits If I Have Scleroderma? Two - When Your Scleroderma Makes It Impossible to Work Three - Systemic Scleroderma and Your Rights to Social Security Disability 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.

    25 min
  6. The Safety Net: Can I Try to Work While on Disability?

    Jun 3

    The Safety Net: Can I Try to Work While on Disability?

    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 2, Episode 19 of Winning Isn't Easy: Navigating Your Social Security Disability Claim. In this episode, we'll dive into The Safety Net: Can I Try to Work While on Disability?. For many people receiving Social Security Disability benefits, the idea of returning to work can be both hopeful and terrifying. A new treatment may be helping. An opportunity may arise. Or the desire to regain a sense of purpose and independence may become impossible to ignore. But one question often stands in the way: What happens if I try to work and it doesn’t work out? In this episode of Winning Isn’t Easy, we examine one of the most important work incentives available to Social Security disability beneficiaries: the Trial Work Period. Designed to encourage beneficiaries to test their ability to return to work without immediately losing benefits, the Trial Work Period can provide valuable protection - but only if its rules are properly understood and followed. We discuss how the Trial Work Period works, who qualifies, what counts as a trial work month, and what happens when the Trial Work Period ends. We also explore some of the most common misunderstandings that can lead to overpayments, benefit interruptions, and unexpected problems with Social Security. If you are receiving SSDI benefits and considering a return to work, this episode offers a clearer understanding of how the Trial Work Period is intended to function, and why knowing the rules before you start working can make all the difference. In this episode, we'll cover the following topics: One - What Exactly Is the Trial Work Period? Two - The Magic Number - What Counts as a "Trial Work Month"? Three - Life After the 9th Month - The Extended Period of Eligibility Four - A Practical Example: Jane's Journey 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.

    18 min
  7. When Multiple Sclerosis Comes and Goes: The Disability Trap of a Waxing and Waning Disease

    May 27

    When Multiple Sclerosis Comes and Goes: The Disability Trap of a Waxing and Waning Disease

    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 2, Episode 18 of Winning Isn't Easy: Navigating Your Social Security Disability Claim. In this episode, we'll dive into When Multiple Sclerosis Comes and Goes: The Disability Trap of a Waxing and Waning Disease. What happens when a disabling disease doesn’t look disabling all the time? For many people living with multiple sclerosis, that unpredictability can become one of the biggest obstacles to obtaining Social Security disability benefits. While MS is a serious neurological disease, proving disability under Social Security law is not as simple as presenting the diagnosis itself. In this episode of Winning Isn’t Easy, we examine why multiple sclerosis claims are often denied despite significant symptoms and functional limitations. We discuss how the cyclical nature of MS - with periods of relapse and remission - can make the condition difficult for Social Security judges to evaluate, especially when claimants continue working through flares or experience temporary improvement after stopping work. We also explore the critical importance of documenting MS flare-ups, fatigue, cognitive impairment, absenteeism, and time off task, all of which can play a major role in whether a claim is approved or denied. If you’re applying for Social Security disability benefits based on multiple sclerosis, this episode offers a clearer understanding of what Social Security looks for, and why the strongest cases depend on far more than the diagnosis alone. In this episode, we'll cover the following topics: One - Understanding Multiple Sclerosis and Social Security Disability Two - How One Social Security Judge Rejected the Waxing and Waning Nature of Our Client’s Medical Condition Three - Workplace Absenteeism Because of Multiple Sclerosis and Your Social Security 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.

    17 min
  8. You Won, Now What? Navigating Life After Your Disability Approval

    May 20

    You Won, Now What? Navigating Life After Your Disability Approval

    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 2, Episode 17 of Winning Isn't Easy: Navigating Your Social Security Disability Claim. In this episode, we'll dive into You Won, Now What? Navigating Life After Your Disability Approval. Everyone tells you how to win Social Security Disability. Almost no one explains what happens after you do. What rules change? What mistakes can put your benefits at risk? And why does that long-awaited approval letter sometimes bring as much uncertainty as relief? Many recipients assume that once they’re approved, the hard part is over, only to discover that ongoing eligibility comes with strict requirements, continuing disability reviews, and limitations on income that can quickly jeopardize benefits if misunderstood. In this episode of Winning Isn’t Easy, we break down what life actually looks like after SSDI approval, from how the Social Security Administration monitors your case to the common missteps that can trigger problems down the line. We also explore how work attempts are evaluated, what medical documentation still matters, and why staying compliant is just as important as getting approved in the first place. If you’ve recently been awarded SSDI, or expect to be, this episode offers a clear look at what comes next, and how to protect the benefits you fought to receive. In this episode, we'll cover the following topics: One - The First Few Weeks - Managing the Money Two - Your Health - The Medicare Waiting Game  Three - The Elephant in the Room - Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs) Four - Redefining Your Life 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.

    15 min
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About

Nancy L. Cavey, a seasoned attorney with over forty 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: Social Security ® 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 the 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

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