Tag Archives: disability benefits
WHY DOES SSA KEEP DENYING MY CASE?
WHY ISN’T THE SSA GRANTING YOUR BENEFITS? At Cannon Disability Law, we hear a version of this question every day. People look at their neighbors and believe they should not be getting SSDI and SSI benefits. Also, people compare themselves to others and think their illness is worse. Therefore, they believe they should get benefits… Read More »
TIPS ON SURVIVING THE WAIT FOR SSD BENEFITS
Here are seven tips on how to survive the long wait for SSD benefits. You can apply for other benefits, like Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF. Health insurance options are also available. Other tips require you to save money and cut expenses. Hiring a lawyer to help you win SSD benefits is also a useful tip.
IF CLAIMANT DIES CAN FAMILY RECEIVE SSD BENEFITS?
What happens when a claimant dies and there is an SSD application pending? Can a family member still receive SSD benefits on behalf of the deceased? The answer is yes. Cannon Disability Law can help your family after the death of a loved one who filed an application for SSD benefits. Sadly, this happens… Read More »
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND WINNING DISABILITY BENEFITS
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS IS A DISABILITY UNDER SSA’S RULES Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an auto-immune disease that affects the central nervous system. When an individual suffers from Multiple Sclerosis, the disease damages the covers of the nerve cells in the brain. It also damages nerve cells in the spinal cord and optic nerves. This nerve… Read More »
BENIGN BRAIN TUMORS & SSD BENEFITS
WHAT ARE BENIGN BRAIN TUMORS? Benign brain tumors, or noncancerous brain tumors, are abnormal growths of cells that develop in the brain. Unlike malignant tumors, benign brain tumors do not invade nearby tissues or spread to other parts of the body. Although they are not cancerous, they can still cause problems depending on their… Read More »
WHAT QUESTIONS WILL THE JUDGE ASK AT MY DISABILITY HEARING?
HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE SSA HEARING Are you wondering what questions the judge will ask at your SSA hearing? Don’t worry, an SSA hearing is nothing like a criminal hearing. You are the main witness. But, you will not be grilled with questions like they do to witnesses on television. Also, the judge… Read More »
SSA’S INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY LISTING
WHAT IS INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY? Intellectual disability (ID) is a term that is used to describe a person who has limits in their mental ability and in their communication skills, self care skills, and social skills. Children with ID take longer to learn to speak, walk, and take care of themselves. They have trouble learning in… Read More »
SPINAL STENOSIS & DISABILITY
WHAT IS SPINAL STENOSIS? Spinal stenosis is a medical condition in which the spinal canal narrows and compresses the nerves that pass through it. Compression of the nerves causes pain and numbness. It can also cause weakness in your back, legs, and arms. There are two main types of spinal stenosis: lumbar and cervical… Read More »
PICK'S DISEASE QUALIFIES FOR SSD BENEFITS
WHAT IS FRONTOTEMPORAL DEMENTIA? Pick’s disease or Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is one of the less common forms of dementia. The disease is rare neurodegenerative disorder that affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. These areas are responsible for managing important functions such as making decisions. It also regulates emotions, speech, and movement…. Read More »
UTAH RESOURCES FOR THE BLIND
UTAH RESOURCES & SSD BENEFITS FOR THE BLIND If you need help with Utah SSD benefits or other resources because you are blind, then you have found the right law firm. Because, our law firm is on your side. We can help you receive monthly SSD payments and also win past due SSDI benefits…. Read More »
WHAT YOU NEED FROM YOUR DOCTOR TO PROVE DISABILITY
THE BURDEN TO PROVE DISABILITY IS ON YOU Your doctor can help you prove to the SSA that you have a severe medical condition. You need the help of your doctor. Because the burden to prove that you deserve benefits is on you. Submitting medical evidence is important. But statements from your doctor about… Read More »
WHEN DO SSDI BENEFITS END?
WHAT ARE THE REASONS THAT SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS END? There are a number of reasons why Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits can end. This article will discuss the four most common reasons for an end to your Social Security Disability benefits. The first event that usually ends SSDI benefits is an improvement… Read More »
THE BURDEN TO PROVE DISABILITY IS ON YOU
YOU HAVE THE BURDEN TO PROVE DISABILITY AT YOUR SSA HEARING Most people think it is easy to prove disability to the SSA. Those who apply for benefits think they will win at their hearing, if they simply explain their disabling symptoms to the Judge. But the SSA system doesn’t work like that. The… Read More »
MEDICAID BENEFITS INFORMATION
WHAT IS MEDICAID? Medicaid benefits are health insurance for people who have a low income. Medicaid also provides health coverage to some pregnant women, children, elderly individuals, and women with breast or cervical cancer. The Medicaid program covers a wide range of health services. For example, it includes paying for hospital stays, doctor visits,… Read More »
ENDOCRINE DISORDERS & DISABILITY
WHAT ARE ENDOCRINE DISORDERS? Endocrine disorders are a group of diseases which affect the glands of the endocrine system. Disease can be caused by hormonal imbalance, autoimmune issues, genetic mutations, or environmental factors. The most common endocrine conditions include diabetes, thyroid disease, and obesity. When an endocrine gland is not working properly it produces… Read More »
WHAT IS THE AMOUNT OF MY SSDI BENEFIT?
DO YOU KNOW YOUR MONTHLY SSDI BENEFIT AMOUNT? How do you calculate the amount of your monthly SSDI benefit payment? Every day clients ask us how much money they will receive if they win their Social Security case. If you have questions about your SSDI benefits, then you are in the right place. Because… Read More »
ADJUSTMENT DISORDER & SSD BENEFITS
An adjustment disorder is similar to depression, but it may not last as long. If your symptoms persist and keep you from working for more than one year, then you may qualify for SSDI and SSI benefits. The burden is on you to prove that you meet the SSA’s criteria for disability. For this, you will need ongoing medical treatment and the support of your doctor and a counselor. It can take up to two years to win SSD benefits. Therefore, it is crucial to apply for benefits as soon as you realize you cannot work due to your adjustment disorder. Take proactive steps towards financial security by hiring an attorney and starting the SSD application process.
WORK CREDITS & SSDI BENEFITS
To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you need to accumulate work credits through regular contributions to the SSDI program. Your contributions are made through FICA taxes if you are employed. Or, through SECA taxes if you’re self-employed. Typically, you need a minimum of 10 years of work to be insured for benefits. However, the number of work credits can vary based upon your age at the time of disability onset. Generally, you need 40 credits, with 20 earned in the last decade preceding your inability to work. You can earn up to 4 work credits per year.
APPEALS COUNCIL REVIEW
APPEALS COUNCIL REVIEW – SHOULD YOU APPEAL? Appeals Council review is the next step after an ALJ hearing. If the ALJ sent you an Unfavorable Decision after your hearing, you should be asking if it is time to seek the Appeals Council review. The Appeals Council reviews ALJ decisions from all over the country…. Read More »
REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE & YOUR BENEFITS
WHAT IS A REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE? A representative payee is a friend, relative, or other interested party that the SSA appoints to protect the interests of the person who is being paid Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. More than eight million people, who get monthly SSDI and SSI payments, need… Read More »
FRIEDREICH’S ATAXIA & SSD BENEFITS
Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) is a rare genetic disorder that affects the nervous system and causes progressive problems with balance, muscle weakness, and sensation loss in the legs and arms. If you have Friedreich’s ataxia, then you should apply for SSDI and SSI benefits under SSA listing 11.17. Additionally, Friedreich’s ataxia is a compassionate allowance that provides for an immediate award of benefits if you can prove it prevents you from working.
ADDISON’S DISEASE & SSD BENEFITS
Addison’s disease is also known as primary adrenal insufficiency. The disease can cause many severe symptoms that can prevent you from working. Addison’s disease is under the SSA listing for endocrine disorders because it’s a type of adrenal gland disorder. The SSA will look at how your health is impacted to determine if you should be paid Social Security Disability benefits. For example, the SSA will look at heart symptoms, anxiety disorder, and weight loss. All of your symptoms will be considered. If you cannot work for more than 12 months, then you should be paid SSDI benefits.
CAN SOCIAL SECURITY TAKE AWAY YOUR BENEFITS?
Can Social Security cease or take away your disability benefits? This is one of the most common questions we hear at Cannon Disability Law. And the short answer is “yes.” Even if you win benefits, the SSA can cease or take away your benefits. This is true whether you receive SSDI or SSI benefits…. Read More »
DISABILITY BENEFITS FOR AMPUTATION
IS AMPUTATION OF A LIMB AN AUTOMATIC DISABILITY? Disability benefits for amputation of a limb is available from the SSA under certain circumstances. You might believe that the amputation of a limb would automatically qualify you for benefits. But it doesn’t. Only certain types of amputations qualify for benefits. For example, the amputation of… Read More »
SSA USES SIX DOMAINS TO DESCRIBE CHILDHOOD DISABILITY
WHAT ARE THE SIX CHILDHOOD DISABILITY DOMAINS ? In order to win SSI or childhood disability benefits, you must be familiar with the six domains the SSA uses to describe childhood medical conditions. The six domains are listed below. If your child’s mental or physical condition does not meet a listing, then you can… Read More »
EATING DISORDERS & ANOREXIA CAN BE DISABLING
Eating disorders qualify for SSD and SSI benefits, if they keep you from working for over one year. You must have medical evidence to present to the SSA about your condition. This medical evidence should be from your treating doctor. It should discuss how your symptoms result in disability.
HOW THE SSA EVALUATES PAIN
DOES THE SSA EVALUATE PAIN IN YOUR SSD CASE? The SSA evaluates pain when it considers your claim for Social Security benefits. How the SSA evaluates pain is probably one of the most important issues in your SSD case. Social Security Regulations have evolved over time from using only objective medial evidence as proof… Read More »
SJOGREN’S SYNDROME BENEFITS
WHAT IS SJOGREN’S SYNDROME? Sjögren’s syndrome is an immune disorder of the exocrine glands. It is named after Swedish doctor Henrik Sjögren who first described it in 1933. The autoimmune disorder occurs when there is dysfunction of certain glands, mostly the salivary and lacrimal glands. This condition affects the body’s moisture producing glands. Therefore,… Read More »
MENIERE’S DISEASE & DISABILITY BENEFITS
Meniere’s disease is a rare disorder of the inner ear. The inner ear controls your balance and hearing. If you have a disorder of your inner ear, then it is likely you will suffer hearing loss. Along with hearing loss, Ménière’s disease also causes vertigo and loss of balance. If you have Ménière’s disease,… Read More »
SAME SEX MARRIAGE & SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS
THE SSA RECOGNIZES SAME SEX MARRIAGES Same sex marriage is recognized by the SSA for the purposes of benefits. On June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, holding that same sex couples have a constitutional right to marry in all states. Also, in matter what state in… Read More »
BLACK LUNG DISABILITY BENEFITS
BLACK LUNG DISEASE If you have black lung disease or Coal Workers Pneumoconiosis, you may qualify for benefits under the federal Black Lung program. Black lung disease can be seen on chest X-ray and CT scans. If you have black lung disease, then your chest X-ray or CT scan will show pulmonary nodules in… Read More »
HOW FREE MEDICAL RECORDS HELP YOU WIN DISABILITY BENEFITS
YOU MUST HAVE MEDICAL RECORDS TO WIN YOUR SSD BENEFITS If you are like most people who apply for SSDI and SSI benefits, then you need free medical records in order to win your case. You need free records, because it usually costs money to get a copy of your records. And, you don’t… Read More »
GRID RULES AND WINNING SSD BENEFITS
WHAT ARE THE GRID RULES? GRID Rules are regulations the SSA uses to award SSD benefits if you are over 50 years old. The GRID Rules are actually called the Medical Vocational Guidelines. These guidelines apply to you if your medical condition does not meet or equal an SSA listing. These special rules also… 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 »
KIDNEY DISEASE IN CHILDREN
WHAT IS CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE IN CHILDREN? Chronic kidney disease (CKD) in children is a medical condition that affects the kidneys and their ability to filter waste products and excess fluid from the blood. CKD is a long term condition that can progress over time and lead to kidney failure. If your child has… Read More »
THE IMPORTANCE OF MEDICAL RECORDS IN YOUR DISABILITY CASE
THE SSA NEEDS MEDICAL RECORDS AT EVERY LEVEL OF YOUR SSD CASE You must understand the importance of collecting your medical records when you file for SSD benefits. You can apply for SSD and SSI benefits online at the Social Security’s website. When you first apply for benefits, you should include a copy of… Read More »
THE DATE LAST INSURED AND DISABILITY BENEFITS
WHAT DOES THE “DLI” STAND FOR? The “Date Last Insured” is the last day you were insured for SSDI benefits. You may wonder what that means. After all, you probably didn’t realize that the SSD program is an insurance program. But, it is. For example, you pay your insurance “premiums” by paying your taxes… Read More »
TIPS TO WIN FIBROMYALGIA DISABILITY BENEFITS
HOW TO APPLY FOR SSDI & SSI BENEFITS FOR FIBROMYALGIA Fibromyalgia benefits are available from the SSA, if you cannot work for more than 12 months. If you suffer from fibromyalgia and can’t work, then you should apply for SSD benefits. You can apply for SSDI & SSI benefits on the Social Security website…. 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 »
PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS AND DISABILITY BENEFITS
WHAT IS PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS? Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory arthritis that can occur in some people who have psoriasis, a chronic skin condition. The common symptoms of the disease are red, scaly patches on the skin caused by the accelerated growth of skin cells. You can see this type of skin issue in the… Read More »
FIBROMYALGIA AND DISABILITY BENEFITS
SSD BENEFITS AND FIBROMYALGIA Fibromyalgia is a medical condition for which the Social Security Administration will pay disability benefits. You can obtain Social Security benefits from the SSA if you have fibromyalgia and are unable to work. However, you must show that your illness meets certain rules and will last longer than 12 months…. Read More »
SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS – WHEN TO FILE
SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY AND SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME BENEFITS Many people contact our office asking whether they should file an application for Social Security benefits or Supplemental Security Income. Typically, they wonder if they will qualify for benefits. But they also wonder if they should wait to file for benefits. After all, many people are… Read More »
NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS
WHAT ARE NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS? Neurodevelopmental disorders are a group of medical conditions that occur during the developmental period, which is age 22 or younger. Possible signs and symptoms of these disorders include problems with cognitive processing. It also includes deficits in attention or impulse control, low frustration tolerance, or deficits in social skills. While… Read More »
CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME & DISABILITY
WHAT IS CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME? Carpal tunnel syndrome is a fairly common condition. It comes from overuse of the hand while doing constant movements. The carpal tunnel is an opening in your wrist that is formed by the carpal bones on the bottom of the wrist and the carpal ligament at the top of… Read More »
HYPOPLASTIC LEFT HEART SYNDROME (HLHS) & SSD
WHAT IS HYPOPLASTIC LEFT HEART SYNDROME? Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) is a rare congenital heart defect. When a baby is born with HLHS, the left side of the heart is severely under developed. The affected structures of the heart can include the mitral valve, left ventricle, aortic valve, and the aorta. Because the… Read More »
SSD BENEFITS FOR RECURRENT ARRHYTHMIAS
RECURRENT ARRHYTHMIAS: HOW DOES IT AFFECT THE HEART? Recurrent arrhythmias is a condition that affects the normal beating of the heart. The heart has a natural rhythm that is created by the sinoatrial node or the SA node. This rhythm is created by a group of cells in the right atrium of the heart… Read More »
YOU HAD A HEART ATTACK? CAN YOU GET DISABILITY?
HEART ATTACK AND WINNING SSDI BENEFITS You had a heart attack and also had severe problems following the attack. For example, you get chest pain when you exert yourself and you need to sleep for two hours every afternoon. Due to your problems, you can’t work and you want to know if you qualify… Read More »
TIPS ON WINNING YOUR NEVADA MENTAL HEALTH CASE
WIN SSD BENEFITS FOR MENTAL HEALTH IN NEVADA Nevada mental health SSD benefits are available for you. Cannon Disability Law can help you win SSDI and SSI benefits for your mental condition. In order to win benefits for mental health from the Social Security Administration (SSA), you need treatment. There are many low cost and sliding… Read More »
SCLERODERMA & WINNING SSD BENEFITS
WHAT IS SCLERODERMA OR SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS? Scleroderma is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes abnormal growth of connective tissue. This leads to hard and tight skin and it can also affect internal organs and blood vessels. The exact cause of scleroderma is not fully understood. However, the disease is a subject of ongoing medical… Read More »
MEDICARE BENEFITS INFORMATION
WHAT IS MEDICARE? Medicare is the United States health insurance program for people who are 65 years or older. However, if you receive Social Security Disability benefits, then you also get Medicare benefits after a waiting period. In order to obtain SSD benefits, you must apply. You can apply online at the Social Security… Read More »
