Tag Archives: SSD law firm
LUNG TRANSPLANT WINS SSD BENEFITS
WHAT IS A LUNG TRANSPLANT? A lung transplant is a critical procedure for those who have exhausted all other treatment options. They are usually done only after all other treatment options—such as medications, oxygen therapy, or less invasive surgeries—have failed. Candidates for a lung transplant must meet strict medical criteria to ensure success. A… Read More »
CAN YOU RETIRE EARLY AND COLLECT SSD BENEFITS?
SHOULD YOU RETIRE EARLY OR COLLECT SSDI BENEFITS? Retire early or seek SSDI benefits? This is an important question for many people. Especially when they are in their sixties and may not have good health. Unfortunately, you cannot do both. Many people who can no longer work due to medical conditions experience confusion about… Read More »
WHAT ARE JOB SKILLS?
WHY ARE JOB SKILLS IMPORTANT TO YOUR SSD CASE? Job skills refer to the ability, knowledge, and expertise a person requires to perform specific tasks or duties on the job. Assessing your job skills helps the SSA make a decision about your ability to work. If you have job skills, then it is likely… Read More »
OBESITY & DISABILITY – SOCIAL SECURITY RULING 19-2P
Obesity is a medical condition that can prevent you from working. If you are off work for more than 12 months, then you can apply for SSD benefits. However, the SSA eliminated the listing for obesity, which means you cannot meet a listing for obesity. Instead, obesity needs to combine with another medical impairment to prevent you from working. If you can prove that your symptoms of obesity and another medical condition disable you, then you can win SSD and SSI benefits. Hire an experience law firm, like Cannon Disability Law, to help you win your Social Security benefits.
When the SSA took obesity out of the listing, they thought the change would produce financial savings.
CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE & DISABILITY
WHAT IS CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE? Chronic liver disease is a medical condition that affects the structure and function of your liver. Over time, damage and inflammation of your liver cells leads to liver damage. There are a number of causes of chronic liver disease. These include viral infections, such as Hepatitis B and C,… Read More »
CONSULTATIVE EXAM TIPS – Medical Evidence Wins Your Benefits
WHAT IS A CONSULTATIVE EXAM? After you apply for Social Security Disability benefits or Supplemental Security Income benefits, you may receive a notice in the mail. This notice schedules you for a Consultative Exam. The SSA usually schedules an exam with one of their doctors during the first six months of the appeals process…. Read More »
OSTEOARTHRITIS AND SSD BENEFITS
WHAT IS OSTEOARTHRITIS? Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It occurs when the cartilage that covers the ends of your bones wears away. When the cartilage wears away, you feel pain in your joints. Your joints can also start to swell and burn. Eventually, muscle weakness and reduced range of joint motion… Read More »
DIVORCE & DISABILITY BENEFITS
DOES DIVORCE EFFECT YOUR SSD BENEFITS? Divorce can affect your Social Security benefits, but it depends on what kind of benefits the SSA is paying you. For example, you could be getting paid SSD benefits and Supplemental Security Income benefits. Or, you could also be getting dependent benefits based on the earnings of your spouse…. Read More »
THE MEDICAL EXPERT AT THE SSA HEARING
Medical Experts commonly called by the ALJ to testify at SSD hearings. They explain your medical conditions to the judge and testify about whether your condition meets or equals an SSA listing. You need a lawyer to question the ME and prove the ME wrong if they give unfavorable testimony.
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 »
THE FIVE STEP PROCESS TO QUALIFY FOR SSD BENEFITS
WHAT IS THE FIVE STEP PROCESS TO WIN SSD BENEFITS? INTRODUCTION TO SSA’S SEQUENTIAL EVALUATION PROCESS The SSA has a five step review process that they use to see if you qualify for SSDI and SSI benefits. Each step is a question that helps the SSA know what to do with your claim. Depending… 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 »
GLIOBLASTOMA & SSD BENEFITS
WHAT IS GLIOBLASTOMA? Glioblastoma is an aggressive and highly malignant brain tumor that forms from glial tissue of the brain and spinal cord. The cells that look very different from normal cells. The cells spread aggressively throughout the brain tissue, which makes it difficult to treat. It is the most common malignant brain cancer… Read More »
SMALL INTESTINE CANCER & SSD
WHAT IS CANCER OF THE SMALL INTESTINE? Small intestine cancer qualifies for SSD benefits if it prevents you from working for over 12 months. This article will discuss cancer of the small intestine. The small intestine is responsible for absorbing nutrients from the food we consume. It is located between the stomach and the large… 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 »
AVASCULAR NECROSIS AND SSD BENEFITS
WHAT IS AVASCULAR NECROSIS? Avascular necrosis (AVN), also known as osteonecrosis, is a condition in which bone tissue dies due to a lack of blood supply. As the bone dies, small fractures in the bone occur, eventually leading to more significant fractures. The fractures can occur in any bone in the body. However, avascular… 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 »
ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITY DISORDER
Antisocial personality disorder is a serious mental health condition that can keep you from working. If you cannot work due to ASPD, then you should file an application for SSDI and SSI benefits. Also, you should hire a law firm who handles SSD benefit cases exclusively. A lawyer with years of legal experience can help you win past due and ongoing disability benefits for your antisocial personality disorder.
DIGEORGE SYNDROME DISABILITY BENEFITS
UNDERSTANDING DIGEORGE SYNDROME & SSD BENEFITS DiGeorge Syndrome, also known as 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, is a genetic condition that leads to a wide range of health problems. For example, if you have DiGeorge Syndrome then you may have heart defects, problems with your immune system, and developmental delays. DiGeorge Syndrome has many symptoms which… Read More »
PAST RELEVANT WORK: SSA’S NEW 5 YEAR RULE
For years, SSA’s definition of “past relevant work” has included all the jobs you have done in the last 15 years. But this week, the SSA made a significant change to their rules. On June 22, 2024, the SSA announced that now past relevant work is work done in the last 5 years, instead of the past 15 years. This is a welcome change that benefits the SSA and those who file for SSDI and SSI benefits.
GETTING MARRIED: WILL I LOSE MY SSI BENEFITS?
MARRIAGE DOESN’T DISQUALIFY YOU FROM SSI BENEFITS – EARNINGS DO! Getting married doesn’t automatically end SSI benefits. What ends SSI benefits is the “INCOME AND ASSETS” of your spouse. If your spouse has a full time job, then some of that income will be counted as yours. That may reduce your SSI benefits. Please… Read More »
SOFT TISSUE INJURIES & SSD BENEFITS
WHAT ARE SOFT TISSUE INJURIES? A soft tissue injury occurs when there is damage to your muscles, ligaments, or tendons . These injuries usually occur due to sudden trauma or overuse. For example, you could have a bike accident and fall onto your shoulder, tearing your shoulder tendons. Or, you could play a lot… Read More »
FIVE SECRETS TO HELP YOU WIN SSD BENEFITS
Secret really isn’t the right word to describe what this article is about. However, some of the issues we are going to discuss are not well known, even though they are important to winning SSD benefits. Therefore, perhaps you could call them secrets. The following five “secrets” will help you file your application for… Read More »
THE WAIS IV & INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY
DOES THE SSA USE THE WAIS IV TO TEST FOR INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY? The WAIS-IV is a test that the SSA uses to measure your intelligence. Normally, the SSA will set up a Psychological Evaluation for you to attend. They will send you to one of their doctors for the exam. Learn how to prepare… Read More »
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 »
HOW TO FILE A REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION
DID THE SSA DENY YOUR APPLICATION FOR SSDI & SSI BENEFITS? Request reconsideration online at the SSA’s website if the SSA denied your application for SSD benefits. Don’t wait to appeal your SSI or SSDI initial denial. You can file your appeal online. You don’t have to fill out forms by hand or go… Read More »
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AND DISABILITY BENEFITS – LISTING 12.02
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and its symptoms can prevent you from working. If you cannot work for more than 12 months due to a TBI, then you should file an application for SSDI and SSI benefits. A TBI can occur from a head injury while playing sports. Also, combat veterans may suffer from a… 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.
SARCOIDOSIS & PROVING DISABILITY
WHAT IS SARCOIDOSIS? Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that causes the immune system to overreact and start attacking the body. The disease does this by forming granulomas. Granulomas are clumps of inflammatory cells. These granulomas, or small clusters of inflamed tissue, start to form throughout the body and imbed themselves in the body’s organs…. Read More »
HOW TO FILL OUT ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING FORM
Are you wondering how to fill out the SSA’s “Activities of Daily Living Form?” Every person who files an application for SSDI or SSI benefits has to fill out the form. The ADL form is not a questionnaire about your past accomplishments. It is not a resume or a chance for you to tell the SSA how you used to do things. Instead, the activities of daily living form is about the problems you face every day due to your medical condition. The form should tell the SSA that you can no longer cook, clean, or do the laundry without help. If you don’t write about your limitations, then the SSA will use your answers to prove that you can work.
AMYLOIDOSIS WINS SSD BENEFITS
WHAT IS AMYLOIDOSIS? Amyloid light chain or primary amyloidosis is a rare disorder triggered by abnormal plasma cell activity in the bone marrow. This condition results in the production of a protein called amyloid that builds up in your organs and tissues. This amyloid buildup can make the organs not work properly. Usually, this… 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 »
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 more than a… Read More »
SSD BENEFITS FOR BRONCHIECTASIS
WHAT IS BRONCHIECTASIS? Bronchiectasis is a condition that occurs when the tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs get damaged, causing them to widen and become loose and scarred. These tubes are called airways. Bronchiectasis usually results from an infection or other condition that injures the walls of your airways or… Read More »
ANXIETY DISORDER AND DISABILITY BENEFITS
GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER AND SSD BENEFITS Anxiety Disorder is a mental condition that can result in being unable to work. If you cannot work for over 12 months due to anxiety, then you may be able to win SSD benefits. Having some anxiety is normal. Anxiety is normal because it is a normal coping… Read More »
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION & SSD BENEFITS
Workers’ compensation provides benefits to those who suffer an on the job injury. Benefits include medical treatment for work related conditions. Benefits also include cash payments that partially replace lost wages. Workers’ compensation pays temporary total disability benefits benefits while you recover from your injury. If the condition has lasting consequences, then the program… Read More »
TAXING SSDI & SSI BENEFITS
Taxing SSDI and SSI benefits doesn’t seem right. Especially when you consider that SSD benefits are for those who cannot work and you only earned the right to get the benefits by paying taxes. However, they say that there are only two things that you can count on in this life: death and taxes…. Read More »
HEPATITIS & DISABILITY
WHAT IS HEPATITIS? Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that can be caused by a variety of factors. For example, it can be caused by viral infections, alcohol abuse, exposure to toxins, autoimmune diseases, and certain medications. The most common types of hepatitis are A, B, and C. However, there are other types… Read More »
