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A recent news feature from CNBC looks at some interesting statistics pertaining to the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) application process and also offers some helpful tips for getting your application approved faster.

957924_hand-300x200One of the first things to understand is just how difficult it is get approved for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, especially if you do not have an experienced attorney representing you during the application process and appeal, which is often necessary.  As it turns out, between 2004 and 2013, slightly more than a third of all claims were approved by the United States Social Security Administration (SSA).  To put it another way, 64 percent of all claims were denied. Continue reading

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In Stage v. Colvin, a case from the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, claimant was working at a factory in 1985 when she suffered two slipped discs in her spine.  She simply kept working through the pain, but her condition got much worse as the years went by. Two decades later, she was diagnosed with severe arthritis in hips, left leg, both shoulders and her back.  She also suffered from a degenerative disease in her spine.  She was 5’6” in height and her weight about 200 pounds at the time she first appealed a denial of her Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.

1115701_black_and_white_crime_2In addition to her arthritis and obesity, she also suffered from hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), hypertension, and hypothyroidism.  When she first filed for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, she claimed her hip pain and back paid made it impossible for her to work as of October of 2009.  Her job history included working at the factory, working at a kitchen in a nursing home, and work as a bartender. The back pain and hip pain was confirmed via her medical records submitted along with her benefits claim.  Continue reading

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Chaney v. Colvin, a case from the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, involves a claimant who filed for disability benefits in 2006 for a disability that he asserted began in 2003. Claimant testified during a hearing held by an administrative law judge (ALJ) who works for the United States Social Security Administration (SSA).

1028452_syringes_and_vialDuring his testimony, claimant stated he had long suffered from back pain, depression, and was addicted to drugs. He also testified that he had full physical custody of his daughter, then four years old, but was given considerable help from his parents. His parents regularly cleaned his home, paid his rent and utilities and provided him with other needed assistance.   Continue reading

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Miller v. Commissioner of Social Security Administration, a case from the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, involved a claimant who was a single father. Prior to becoming disabled, claimant worked as a security guard, material handler, bouncer at a local night club, and machine operator.

755993_pillsIn early 2006, claimant went to the emergency room seeking treatment for an injured left knee. Doctors performed a full examination with imaging and determined claimant had degenerative damage to his knee, as a well a contusion, which was the primary reason he went to the emergency room. Continue reading

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For most of last year and even before, there was a lot of news coverage about how the Social Security disability fund would run out of money in late 2016. At that time, it was calculated, the United States Social Security Administration (SSA) would only have enough money to fund 81 percent of the total needed.

the-capitol-193779-mIn other words, there would only be enough money to pay 81 percent of all benefits, so based upon agency regulations, all benefits would be cut by 19 percent in late 2016. For the roughly 10 million Americans who are living off a maximum of $1080 per month in benefits, a cut of 19 percent would make it extremely difficult to make ends meet and take care of themselves and their families. Continue reading

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According to a recent news article from ABC, a woman’s disability benefits have been terminated after she was a victim of identity theft. The victim has said it took her years of fighting with the United States Social Security Administration (SSA) to get her award of benefits in the first place.

167744_black_5She is a mother of three children who are now in their teens and was working as Spanish language interpreter at the time of her onset of disability. She developed a serious medical condition that required extensive surgery on her colon and bowel and experienced several complications involving the procedure. Continue reading

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In Ash v. Colvin, an appeal heard in the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, claimant filed for disability benefits, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, with a date of disability onset in late June 2010. Her disabilities claimed on the application for benefits included back injuries, foot problems, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), depression, headaches, and mild mental retardation.

736458_headed_homeIn case you were wondering about the term mental retardation, it is no longer used in the DSM-5 and ICD-11, but that was around the time this case occurred, and the United States Social Security Administration (SSA) was not up to date in many areas, including the 1970s Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) used during hearings before administrative law judges (ALJs). The new term used in the DSM is intellectual disability. Continue reading

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A recent article from the National Law Review discusses some issues and questions people often have about how Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) can affect a workers’ compensation award. Since many of our clients often ask similar questions, it seems like an issue at which we should take a closer look.

to-sign-a-contract-3-1221952-mThe main question that arises is whether a claimant can work while collecting Social Security Disability Insurance benefits and if this will also have an effect on workers’ compensation benefits. Pursuant to the United States Social Security Administration (SSA) regulations, the agency which oversees the Social Security disability programs, a claimant can work at least part-time while receiving disability benefits in some situations, but there are caveats to this general rule. Continue reading

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Many people suffer from a disabling condition while they are still working. For some, it is degenerative disc or multiple discs in the spine that cause severe pain and numbness. Others will experience joint pain that makes it impossible to work in the same capacity as they could before the disability occurred. In some cases, the employee may suffer from a mental health issue that makes difficult to work a normal schedule.

1078874_word_work_on_the_dicesWhile the exact cause and type of disability may be different for everyone, the course of events is often quite similar. The employee can no longer do his or her job. This may mean coming late to work, missing work for medical appointments, or simply being unable to do the job physically.   If the employee was suffering from an on-the-job injury or illness, he or she could apply for workers’ compensation benefits, and the employer would have to make reasonable accommodations so employee could still work in some capacity. Continue reading

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There has been a lot of coverage lately about an alleged Social Security disability benefits scene that is said to involve people getting benefits to which they should not be entitled. While there are a lot of allegations being thrown around, and Congress has decided to get involved, the personal stories are often overlooked.   As a result of these allegations, the United States Social Security Administration (SSA) sent notice to several hundred people in Eastern Kentucky saying their benefits were about to be terminated.

writing-a-check-2-701013-mAccording to a recent news feature from The Lexington Herald Leader, two people who were receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits killed themselves after receiving the notice of termination from SSA. One person shot himself in the chin, and the following day a woman shot herself in the head. A lawsuit recently filed by the victim’s respective estates claims the two shootings were a direct response to the termination of benefits letters. Continue reading

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Disclaimer – The settlements above are only a sample of cases represented by our office. Each case is different and the amount of a potential resolution of your case will vary considerably depending on a substantial amount of factors. Some case results were worked in conjunction with partnering law firms.

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