While Social Security law is a bit tangled for most people to understand, it's a good idea to keep an eye out for general changes. If something seems likely to affect your Social Security payments in any way, don't hesitate to discuss it with a professional.

Before you sign on the dotted line with any Social Security law professional, ask yourself this: what are their credentials? Do they specialize only in Social Security law? Where did they go to school? What kinds of degrees do they have? Can they give you references?

Did you know that more than half of the people originally turned down by Social Security win their cases on appeal? That being the case, you shouldn't give up right away, especially if you have access to a Social Security law attorney who can help you through the process.