Tag Archives: disability benefits
MULTIPLE SYSTEM ATROPHY & SSD BENEFITS
UNDERSTANDING MULTIPLE SYSTEM ATROPHY (MSA)? Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) is a rare and serious neurological disorder that affects the body’s automatic functions. For example, MSA can affect your heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and bladder control. It also impacts movement and coordination. Multiple System Atrophy has had different names. For instance, past names include… 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 on the Social Security website…. Read More »
PANCREATIC CANCER & SSD BENEFITS
TYPES OF PANCREATIC CANCER Pancreatic cancer starts in the pancreas, which is an organ in your abdomen behind the stomach. There are two main types of pancreatic cancer: Exocrine Pancreatic Cancer and Endocrine Pancreatic Cancer. You can obtain SSDI and SSI benefits for both types of cancer. However, you can only be paid benefits… Read More »
REOPEN YOUR PRIOR APPLICATION & GET ALL YOUR DISABILITY BENEFITS
CAN YOU REOPEN A PRIOR APPLICATION? Reopening a prior application is sometimes possible in SSDI cases. However, it is not easy to reopen a prior application. If you let an old application lapse and did not appeal it within the proper time frame, then you may not be able to reopen it. Additionally, there… Read More »
ARE YOU WORKING? IF SO, ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR DISABILITY BENEFITS?
WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF “WORK” FOR THE SSA? If you are working, according to how the SSA defines work, then you cannot be paid SSDI or SSI benefits. However, work has a very specific meaning under SSA’s rules. The SSA calls work “substantial gainful activity“(SGA). A person who is earning over a certain… Read More »
HOW TO APPLY FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS
APPLY NOW FOR SSD BENEFITS If you are wondering how to apply for Social Security Disability benefits, then you have come to the right place. Filing for Social Security Disability benefits has never been easier. The SSA has multiple ways for people to file an application for SSD benefits. If you cannot work for… Read More »
ASSISTIVE DEVICES & THE SSA
WHAT IS AN ASSISTIVE DEVICE? An assistive device, according to the SSA, is any item or piece of equipment that you use to improve your ability to keep your balance, use your hands, and move about and walk. An assistive device can be worn, held in your hand, or it can be used in… Read More »
RETIREMENT BENEFITS & SSD
WHAT ARE RETIREMENT BENEFITS? Retirement benefits are monthly payments from the Social Security Administration (SSA). You are entitled to retirement benefits based on your earnings record. These benefits replace a percentage of your income based on your lifetime earnings. The portion of your wages that the SSA replaces is based on your highest 35… Read More »
MENTAL IMPAIRMENTS THE JUDGE MUST CONSIDER
The SSA judge must consider “moderate” mental impairments when deciding your case. If they don’t, then their decision is in error. You should appeal the judge’s decision or any SSA decision that does not take your mental impairments into consideration. Call Cannon Disability Law to help you win disability benefits if your mental health keeps your from working.
MARFAN SYNDROME AND SSD BENEFITS
WHAT IS MARFAN SYNDROME? Marfan syndrome is a genetic connective tissue disorder that can cause severe physical issues. For example, the condition affects multiple body systems, including the skeleton, eyes, heart, blood vessels, nervous system, skin, and lungs. If your symptoms are severe and prevent you from working, then you can obtain SSDI and SSI… Read More »
HOW TO BUILD MEDICAL RECORD EVIDENCE FOR YOUR DISABILITY CASE
MEDICAL RECORDS WIN SSD BENEFITS Medical records are the single most important thing in your SSD case. Building that medical evidence is the best thing you can do to help yourself win SSD and SSI benefits. At Cannon Disability Law, we can help you build your medical records and win your benefits. Unfortunately, many… Read More »
ACUTE LEUKEMIA & DISABILITY BENEFITS
WHAT IS LEUKEMIA? Acute Leukemia is a form of cancer that starts in the bone marrow. Your bone marrow is where your blood cells are produced. Leukemia affects white blood cells, which are crucial to your immune system. Acute leukemia starts when a cell changes and becomes a leukemia cell. Because it no longer… Read More »
SUBSTANTIAL GAINFUL ACTIVITY
THE SSA AND SUBSTANTIAL GAINFUL ACTIVITY (SGA) Substantial gainful activity are the words the SSA uses for “work.” If you file a claim for SSD benefits and you are still working, then you are going to hear the term “substantial gainful activity.” But what is SGA? SGA means “work” over a certain amount of… Read More »
BREAST CANCER & SSD BENEFITS
SSDI and SSI benefits are available for individuals who have breast cancer. In order to win those benefits, we recommend you hire an SSD attorney. Certain severe forms of breast cancer are a compassionate allowance under the SSD benefits. An attorney will know if you qualify. Likewise, an attorney with legal experience can help you win your breast cancer SSD benefits in court. They can prepare you to testify about your breast cancer symptoms and prove to the SSA that you cannot work.
SCHIZOPHRENIA AND DISABILITY
WHAT IS SCHIZOPHRENIA? Schizophrenia is a mental illness with severe symptoms that cause a person to seem out of touch with reality. People with schizophrenia may also hear voices or sounds that are not there. Likewise, they may see things that other people cannot see. If someone is seeing things that aren’t really there,… Read More »
LIVER TRANSPLANT BENEFITS
CAN YOU GET DISABILITY BENEFITS FOR A LIVER TRANSPLANT? A liver transplant is a life saving procedure that can offer hope to those suffering from liver failure. However, the journey does not end with the surgery. Recovery can be long and complex. Recovering from a liver transplant is one of the most difficult challenges… Read More »
EPILEPSY AND SEIZURES
YOU CAN WIN DISABILITY BENEFITS FOR EPILEPSY SSD benefits are available for epilepsy and for seizures. If your seizure medications do not control your epilepsy and you are unable to work, then the SSA may pay you SSD benefits. Social Security disability benefits and Supplemental Security Income benefits are paid by the Social Security… Read More »
LIVER CANCER & SSD BENEFITS
WHAT IS LIVER CANCER? Liver cancer occurs when your liver cells divide aggressively and multiply, creating tumors. If these tumors are in your liver, then you have liver cancer. In the United States, each year more than 40,000 people are found to have liver cancer. Worldwide, more than 800,000 people each year are diagnosed with… Read More »
NARCOLEPSY & SSD BENEFITS
WHAT IS NARCOLEPSY? Narcolepsy is a neurological condition that impacts the brain’s ability to control your sleep and wake cycles. People with narcolepsy experience extreme daytime sleepiness and may fall asleep suddenly during the day. This can happen at work or even in dangerous situations. For example, you could fall asleep while driving. In a normal… Read More »
PCD & DISABILITY BENEFITS
UNDERSTANDING PARANEOPLASTIC CEREBELLAR DEGENERATION (PCD) PCD or Paraneoplastic Cerebellar Degeneration is a rare neurological condition associated with certain types of cancer. This condition arises due to an immune response triggered by the presence of a tumor. The immune system mistakenly attacks the cerebellum — the part of the brain responsible for motor control. While… Read More »
SSI BENEFIT CHANGES IN 2024
WHAT IS THE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME PROGRAM? Changes in SSI benefits are happening in 2024. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program designed to provide financial assistance to individuals who are disabled and who have limited income and resources. SSI is a needs based program. This means you are only eligible for SSI… Read More »
HOW TO QUALIFY FOR FMLA WITH A DISABILITY
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) can help you if you need time off work for disability or caregiving reasons. The point of FMLA is to provide unpaid leave for workers facing medical conditions. It also helps you care for a family member with a serious medical condition and deal with matters like… Read More »
BONE FRACTURES & DISABILITY BENEFITS
CAN YOU GET SSD BENEFITS FOR BONE FRACTURES? Bone fractures and broken bones normally heal in a matter of a couple of months. Therefore, it can be difficult to get SSD benefits for bone fractures. In order to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits and SSI benefits, you must have a medical condition that… Read More »
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 »
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 »
COVID & DISABILITY BENEFITS
Over 1 million people have died of Covid-19 in the United States. Worldwide, that figure is currently over 6 million deaths. In addition to losing lives, good health, and jobs, during the pandemic people had trouble managing stress. Unfortunately, Covid-19 has a much higher effect on the disabled community. Individuals with disabilities are often… 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 »
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.
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.
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 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 »
RAISE THE SSI ASSET LIMITS
SSI ASSET LIMITS NEED TO BE RAISED For years, the SSI savings and asset limits have kept people with severe medical conditions in poverty. SSI or Supplemental Security Income is a benefit for those who have a disability that keeps them from working. However, in order to receive it you must have a severe… 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 »
NEW COMPASSIONATE ALLOWANCES
In 2022 and 2021 there were new Compassionate Allowances. 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 soon as possible. For example, fatal conditions like ALS… Read More »
SSA CHANGES DISABILITY LISTINGS FOR BACK CONDITIONS
Back disability benefits are, once again, going through changes by the SSA. The SSA changed their listing of medical conditions for people with a back disability. This change should concern to all lawyers and people who are seeking SSD and SSI benefits. When the SSA changes the medical criteria for benefits, it effects million… 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 »
FIVE NEW COMPASSIONATE ALLOWANCES FOR 2020
In 2020, Andrew Saul, the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, announced five new Compassionate Allowances conditions: Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumors GM1 Gangliosidosis – Infantile and Juvenile Forms Nicolaides-Baraister Syndrome Rubinstein-Tybai Syndrome Secondary Adenocarcinoma of the Brain If you have one of the above conditions, you can apply online for disability benefits at… Read More »
BIDEN’S DISABILITY PLAN
Fortunately, the president of the United States has a disability plan. This is good news for the almost 9 million people receiving disability benefits. Additionally, this is good news for 117,000 spouses and 1.5 million children who also receive disability payments through a family member. Individuals who qualify for SSD and SSI need is… 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 »
Procopio, et. al. v. Secretary of Veterans Affairs – Navy Veterans Lose Expedited Review for Agent Orange Exposure During Vietnam War
NAVY VETERANS SEEK EXPEDITED REVIEW OF AGENT ORANGE CLAIMS The Court of Appeals Federal Circuit, held in Procopio, et al. v. Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Court of Appeals Federal Circuit 12/08/2019) that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has the authority to stay disability compensation claims until January 1, 2020. This is a disappointing case for Navy… 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 »
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 »
