Massachusetts Social Security Disability Lawyers Blog

The Social Security Administration has made it very difficult for applicants to qualify for disability benefits through either the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program or through Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Although these programs both are paid for by taxpayers and are supposed to provide necessary financial support to the disabled, the denial rate for applicants is greater than 50 percent.

Boston disability lawyers know that those who are denied benefits have four stages of appeals that they can pursue so their claims can be reconsidered. One of these stages of appeal is to have a case heard by an administrative law judge (ALJ). The ALJ presides over a benefits hearing in which the disabled applicant can make an argument for why he is entitled to benefits and in which an SSA representative can make an argument for why the benefits claim should not be approved. Appeals at this level are sometimes successful, but there is no guarantee of this success and many people are still denied.

Despite the high denial rate, however, the Social Security Administration is now making plans to crack down on administrative law judges as some argue that their alleged “generosity” towards granting benefits has resulted in the disability benefits program expanding too much and heading towards insolvency. The SSI trust fund could be bankrupt as soon as 2016, resulting in a need to make major changes including potentially cutting the benefits of the disabled so that the benefits can be paid for with new income coming in. Some believe that making changes to the way the SSA oversees administrative law judges could help to solve this problem.
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Many young people are concerned that Social Security benefits will be exhausted by the time they become eligible to claim them. However, the reality is that Social Security provides more than just retirement income. The Social Security Disability (SSD) system provides income to children, young adults and others below retirement age who become disabled and who are no longer able to work as a result of their medical condition.

Boston disability lawyers know that as many as one out of every four 20 year olds currently in the workforce today will become disabled before they reach the age of 65. Severe illnesses and injuries that cause disability can prevent a young person from being able to have a job over the course of his life. Very few people have private disability insurance coverage, and the Social Security Disability system can make it possible for these young people to support themselves and their families after becoming disabled. Because SSD provides such an essential benefit for young Americans, it is especially important for individuals of all ages to know how the laws related to SSD benefits are changing as well as to be aware of any proposed changes to the SSD program.
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The Social Security Disability (SSD) system has come under heavy attacks in recent months as politicians and think tanks argue that the system is becoming overloaded and rife with fraud. Recently, however, a spokesperson from the AARP offered a different perspective. The AARP spokesperson defended the Social Security disability system, portraying it as what it actually is: family protection, rather than a welfare program for those who don’t want to work.

Boston Social Security disability lawyers know that there are many efforts underway to limit or even reduce Social Security Disability benefits, including a suggestion that the cost-of-living adjustments be changed to a formula called Chained CPI that would, in effect, be a cut in benefits. There have also been crackdowns on alleged fraud in the SSD system and efforts to make changes that will make it even harder than it already is to qualify for disability benefits through the Social Security Disability program. These cuts are justified through false claims that people just apply for the program to avoid work, when the argument that the SSDI system really is a family benefit is much closer to the actual truth.
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The Affordable Care Act, also called Obamacare, is going to be in full effect beginning January 1, 2014. This means that individuals, including those with pre-existing conditions, are now able to obtain insurance coverage by shopping at a federal or state health insurance exchange. It also means that the Affordable Care Act individual mandate is in place, requiring everyone to have insurance or pay a penalty of $95 unless they fall within a limited exception.

The Affordable Care Act has opened the door to universal healthcare in the United States, but many people, especially those with lower incomes who live in states that have not expanded Medicaid, are concerned about how they will obtain insurance coverage or whether they will become responsible for paying a penalty. For those who are disabled, however, one way to meet the insurance requirements is to qualify for supplemental security income (SSI). Our Boston social security disability lawyers know that supplemental security income recipients are also generally eligible to receive Medicaid benefits, which satisfy the insurance requirements under the ACA.
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The risk of stroke continues to impact older adults, and surprisingly, adults in their 30s and 40s. In addition to obvious risks like smoking, heavy drinking, and a history of heart disease, research indicates that individuals with high anxiety are at a higher risk of stroke. A stroke can cause serious disability, impacting mobility, speech, and cognitive abilities. For many stroke victims going back to work is an impossibility. In addition to the stress of losing income, many victims of stroke will require therapy and rehabilitation.

Our Boston Social Security Disability attorneys are experienced with protecting the rights of individuals and their families who are impacted by stroke. We are dedicated to helping these families collect Social Security Disability as well as in raising awareness to prevent future stroke and injury. As advocates for families of injury, illness and disability, we are abreast of developments in medicine and disability law.
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In the event of disability, individuals who need parking privileges are given placards that give them access to disability spots. Recently, investigators have found that there is abuse of disability parking in the City of Boston. According to reports, some drivers are using placards of deceased relatives, or using placards meant for disabled individuals out of state. While the parking stress throughout Boston impacts us all, the abuse of placards is an injustice to those who truly depend on access to disability parking.

The state Inspector General in collaboration with police and the Registry of Motor Vehicles uncovered widespread abuse of disability parking placards. Our Boston SSDI attorneys are experienced in protecting the rights of individuals who suffer from disability. We are committed to helping disabled persons and their families collect SSDI benefits and in raising awareness to protect the disabled of our community. The exposure of the abuse comes after months of surveillance and data collection by investigators.
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The physically and mentally disabled have long benefited from medical and technological advancements. In addition to equipment that helps with mobility and transportation, the mentally impaired can also benefit from computer technologies and communications devices. According to recent reports, the University of Massachusetts in Boston and IBM are collaborating on new ways to benefit the disabled and the elderly with technological advancements.

Individuals who have become disabled over time, as a result of disease or an accident, may find themselves reliant on technological advancements, including wheelchairs, communication devices and other aids. Individuals who suffer from a disability face challenges beyond physical and mental impairments. These disabilities can impact financial security, emotional well-being and the ability to connect with a community. Social Security disability insurance benefits may help you regain financial footing after disability. Our Boston SSDI attorneys are dedicated to helping individuals and families collect financial support in the event of disability. We understand the difficulties and challenges faced by our clients and are committed to raising awareness and encouraging developments in disability technology.
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There is a common misconception that a large number of those who file for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits in Boston are doing so because they have struggled to find a job in a downtrodden economy.

That’s why concern about the stability of the federal program has heightened with news that some 1.3 million workers will lose out on unemployment benefits at the end of the year if Congress fails to renew an emergency aid program.
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The Social Security Administration sends out both Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits electronically each month so that the disabled can get the income they need. Unfortunately, our Boston disability lawyers know that this makes recipients vulnerable to identity theft and to having their benefits checks rerouted to debit cards that thieves can use to purchase merchandise or obtain cash.

USA Today discussed the phenomenon of the electronic theft of disability benefits, indicating that almost 40,000 cases of direct deposit benefit fraud had already been reported by July of 2013. The estimated cost of the potential loss to U.S. taxpayers in just a nine month period totaled around $17.4 million. For individual SSDI or SSI recipients who need their money to pay for necessities like food and rent, the theft of SSD benefits can also be absolutely devastating, even if the issue is later straightened out and the lost benefits paid.
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