Social Security's history began during the great depression. As the economy evolved from agrarian to industrialized, more and more Americans became wholly dependant upon wages earned from their employers. The safety net of land and houses passed down through generations and extended families able to shelter members in time of need did not disappear from America, but it was available to ever fewer of us as we migrated from the countryside to the cities.

With the election of Franklin Roosevelt came his "New Deal" economic policies. First introduced by him during an address to congress in June 1934, the Social Security Act went from concept to signed law in less than 14 months. Additions, changes, and tweaks were made to the system during the following years. The most significant of which were the introduction of monthly benefits (1940), the introduction of disability benefits (1956), and the introduction of Medicare (1965).

For the most part, payment of Social Security retirement benefits is fairly straight forward. The most common cause of dispute is the amount of benefits and often results from unreported income. The administration of disability benefits is not so clear. With it comes the subjective determination of whether a person is truly disabled and if so whether it is a complete disability or a partial disability and what if any benefits should be paid as a result.

Because if its subjective nature, the decisions that result are often considered incorrect or unfair by the applicants. As a result an entire system of reconsideration, appeals, and lawsuits have arisen.  What seems like a simple process to the applicant can become a bureaucratic nightmare. Often, having an advocate who knows the system is the only effective way to obtain benefits.