Category Archives: General
DYSTHYMIA WINS SSDI BENEFITS
WHAT IS DYSTHYMIA? Dysthymia is a persistent depressive disorder. If you have dysthymia, you will experience feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and low self-esteem. You may also lack interest in doing activities and have trouble with a low or negative mood. While dysthymia may sound like depression, it is different. The way it is different… Read More »
SSA WANTS TO LIMIT YOUR RIGHT TO AN IN PERSON HEARING
YOUR RIGHT TO A HEARING WITH THE SSA You have a right to an in person hearing with the SSA, but that right is no longer automatic. Within the next few months, the SSA will no longer schedule people for in person hearings unless they request it. Instead, the SSA is going to automatically… Read More »
COMPASSIONATE ALLOWANCES IN 2023
SSA’S NEW COMPASSIONATE ALLOWANCES FOR 2023 In 2023 there were several new Compassionate Allowances added to SSA’s list. The Compassionate Allowances initiative allows Social Security to quickly identify severe medical conditions that meet the criteria for SSD benefits. Because the diseases on the list are so severe, the SSA wants to pay benefits as… Read More »
HOW TO APPEAL A DENIAL OF DISABILITY FROM THE SSA
APPEAL YOUR SSA DENIAL Are you wondering how to appeal a denial from the SSA? Is this what happened? You applied for benefits and you received a denial of your application in the mail. Now, you are wondering how to appeal. The first thing to realize is that you should not give up. You… Read More »
THE MEDICAL OPINION OF YOUR DOCTOR
HOW DOES THE SSA WEIGH THE MEDICAL OPINION OF YOUR DOCTOR? The medical opinion of your doctor should matter more than the opinion of SSA’s doctors. Most people submit a letter or progress notes from their doctor that states they cannot work. Sometimes, they even file for SSD benefits on the advice of their… Read More »
HASHIMOTO’S DISEASE & SSD BENEFITS
WHAT IS HASHIMOTO’S DISEASE? Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune condition that affects the thyroid gland. The body’s immune system attacks the thyroid gland causing damage to the gland. This condition often leads to hypothyroidism, which occurs when where the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones. The thyroid gland, located in the neck, plays… Read More »
SHORT BOWEL SYNDROME & SSD
WHAT IS SHORT BOWEL SYNDROME? Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is a medical condition that occurs when the small intestine is unable to absorb enough nutrients and fluids from the food you eat. It usually occurs because doctors have removed a large part of the small intestine. The small intestine is responsible for absorbing nutrients from… Read More »
IDEA Gives Disabled Children the Right to a Good Education
WHAT IS THE IDEA? The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a United States federal law that governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education, and related services to children with disabilities. The IDEA was enacted in 1975 as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA). However, it was… Read More »
DISABLED? CAN YOU GET FORGIVENESS OF STUDENT LOAN DEBT?
STUDENT LOAN DEBT AND DISABILITY Student loan debt is almost impossible to pay if you have a disability that keeps you from working. In fact, it is a huge problem to pay any bills when you cannot work due to a severe mental or physical medical condition. Probably, you are going to want to… Read More »
AUTOMATICALLY WIN SSD BENEFITS
12 NEW MEDICAL CONDITIONS ADDED BY THE SSA Automatically win SSD & SSI benefits if you have one of the 12 new conditions added by SSA to the Compassionate Allowances list. On August 15, 2022, the SSA added twelve new conditions to the compassionate allowances program. Compassionate Allowances are a way for SSA to… Read More »
AIDS DISABILITY BENEFITS
AIDS disability benefits are available if your condition is keeping you from working. Many individuals with HIV infection have severe symptoms that prevent them from working. If you have severe AIDS symptoms and you will be off work for over 12 months, then the SSA may find you eligible for SSDI benefits. On the… Read More »
CARR V. SAUL – CAN YOU GET A NEW DISABILITY HEARING?
Can you get a new disability hearing? On April 22, 2021, the Supreme Court issued a ruling in Carr, et.al, v.. Saul, 593 U.S. _,(2021). This is an important case because it holds that some claimants have a right to a new hearing. You can obtain a new hearing if you have an unfavorable… Read More »
CAN DISABILITY BENEFITS BE GARNISHED ?
DISABILITY BENEFITS ARE SUBJECT TO GARNISHMENT FOR CHILD SUPPORT Whether or not your benefits payments can be garnished for child support payments depends on what kind of Social Security benefits you receive. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is based on your work history. When you pay your employment taxes, you pay into SSA’s insurance… Read More »
MANAGING STRESS DURING COVID-19
Are you having difficulty managing stress during Covid-19? If so, the state of Utah is providing free help to those who need it. Below you will find free numbers you can call. The state of Utah has crisis lines to help you during this difficult time. FREE CRISIS AND HOTLINE TO YOU MANAGE STRESS… Read More »
WHAT WILL THE JUDGE ASK AT MY ALJ HEARING?
HIRE AN ATTORNEY TO HELP YOU PREPARE FOR YOUR ALJ HEARING Be prepared for your ALJ hearing. You should hire an attorney to help you be a good witness. You need to think about the answers to some basic questions before you arrive. The hearing is being held to determine not only if you… Read More »
Dianna Cannon, J.D. – Social Security Disability Attorney – Featured in Attorney at Law Magazine 2018
DIANNA CANNON, SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY ATTORNEY Featured in Attorney at Law Magazine, Dianna Cannon has been practicing Social Security Disability Law for more than 30 years. “I help people get their Social Security Disability benefits,” she explains. “I handle Veteran’s Disability cases and Black Lung Disability claims as well. But mostly, I handle Social Security… Read More »
CEREBRAL PALSY DENIAL
CEREBRAL PALSY & THE UNFAIR DENIAL Cerebral Palsy is a disability under SSA’s regulations, as long as the medical condition prevents you from working. Recently, an ALJ denied a claimant with Cerebral Palsy. He did this even though Social Security’s own doctors opined she could not work. The claimant filed for disability benefits stating… Read More »
SSA IS EXTENDING DEADLINES DURING COVID-19
SSA EXTENDING DEADLINES DURING COVID-19 If you received a letter from the SSA about extending deadlines during COVID-19, you may have some concerns. Do not worry. During this pandemic, the SSA is extending deadlines for requests for information, evidence, or call-in letters whenever possible. The SSA will not take an adverse action because you… Read More »
SSA ELIMINATES INABILITY TO SPEAK ENGLISH FROM RULES
The Trump administration is considering a new rule that bars a claimant’s inability to speak English as a factor in the disability review process. This is one of several cuts to the disability program that President Trump is pursuing as part of his assault on disability benefits. Or, what Trump considers to be the… Read More »
Check Your Earnings To Protect Your Future
SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS AND RETIREMENT The monthly amount of your Social Security Disability benefits and your future retirement benefits is based upon your earnings. You are responsible to check your earnings statement every year. Therefore, you must check your earnings to make sure they are properly reported to the SSA and IRS. When… Read More »
SSA ADDS FOUR NEW COMPASSIONATE ALLOWANCES
SSA Adds Four New Compassionate Allowances Conditions On August 19, 2019, the SSA added four new conditions to the list of compassionate allowances. The SSA has a list of conditions they consider disabling. This list is the Listed Impairments. Additionally, the SSA has a list of disabling impairments they consider to be automatically disabling…. Read More »
NEW YORK TIMES REPORTS DISABILITY MAY NOT BE A BARRIER TO WORK
IS DISABILITY A BARRIER TO WORK? On September 5, 2019, the New York Times published Ben Casselman’s article about disability and work. Casselman wrote, employers like Dell, started a program to hire people with autism. Kate Cosway, who has a master’s degree, was chosen by Dell for a 12-week internship, which is now becoming… Read More »
Smith v. Berryhill – U.S. Supreme Court Reverses SSA’s Policy
SMITH V. BERRYHILL On May 28, 2019, the U.S Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision in Smith v. Berryhill, 139 S. Ct. 1765 (2019), reversing the Sixth Circuit’s judgment. The Sixth Circuit held that an Appeals Council dismissal was not subject to federal judicial review. But, the U.S. Supreme Court held that an Appeals Council’s… Read More »
DISABILITY BENEFITS: SSI OR SSD?
SHOULD YOU APPLY FOR SSD OR SSI DISABILITY BENEFITS? Social Security Disability benefits are monthly payments that support individuals who cannot work a full-time job and have a disability. There are two different SSA programs that pay disability benefits. Those programs are Social Security Disability (SSD) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Although both programs… Read More »
SSA Plans For CDI Units To Expand To Every State
The Social Security Administration plans to expand CDI units to every state. Below please find excerpts of a letter from Nancy Berryhill, Acting Commissioner, dated February 13, 2018, which explains their reasoning that they believe they have saved the agency billions of dollars. ___________________________ Expansion of Cooperative Disability Investigations (CDI) Units Progress Report (February 2018)… Read More »
MENTAL ILLNESS AWARENESS WEEK & NAMI
In 1990, Congress officially established the first week of October as Mental Illness Awareness Week. They did this to encourage people to work together and educate the public about mental illness. NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), raises awareness about mental illness. They do this through public education and providing support to those with… Read More »
WHAT IS YOUR MONTHLY DISABILITY PAYMENT?
HOW MUCH IS YOUR MONTHLY SSD PAYMENT? The Social Security Disability payment benefit amount is different for every person who applies. Because, SSD benefits are based upon the amount you have worked during your lifetime. Everyone has a different work history. Each person earns a different amount of money during their lifetime. Therefore, the monthly… Read More »
NOSSCR STATES BUDGET WILL NOT SOLVE BACKLOG
NOSSCR BUDGET COMMENTS NOSSCR released this article today, indicating that even with the level of funding Obama has requested in his budget, the wait time for a hearing is going to increase for those who have applied for disability benefits. Read NOSSCR’s article below. OBAMA’S BUDGET PROPOSAL President Obama released his Fiscal Year 2017… Read More »
SSA Fraud Investigations Waste Taxpayer’s Money
THE SSA’S FRAUD INVESTIGATIONS The SSA investigates people who apply for SSD benefits. How do they chose who to investigate? Most fraud allegations come from SSA employees. In fiscal year 2014, the SSA received more than 121,000 fraud allegations and more than 58,000 (almost half) of those came from SSA employees. In other words,… Read More »
