Tag Archives: Utah disability attorney
PROSTATE CANCER & DISABILITY BENEFITS
FACTS ABOUT PROSTATE CANCER Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men, after skin cancer. This year, 268,490 men in the United States will be found to have prostate cancer. Worldwide, almost 1.5 million men had prostate cancer in 2020. Most of those men were older than 60 years old. Doctors… Read More »
IQ AND WINNING DISABILITY BENEFITS
A low IQ can lead to being unable to work and winning disability benefits. For instance, if you have a low IQ, it may prevent you from working. You might know if you have a low IQ because it is hard to learn new things. Or, maybe you cannot keep a job, because you… Read More »
PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE & DISABILITY
WHAT IS PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE? Peripheral artery disease (PAD), also called peripheral arterial disease, is a common circulatory condition in which fatty deposits build up in the artery walls and block blood flow. Your arteries supply blood flow to your arms and legs. If the blood flow is blocked, then you have PAD. When your… 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 »
THYROID CANCER & SSDI BENEFITS
DOES THYROID CANCER QUALIFY FOR SSD BENEFITS? Thyroid cancer is a serious illness that can have a major impact on your life. For example, if you have thyroid cancer it may require expensive treatments and you may be unable to work. Fortunately, the Social Security Administration provides Social Security Disability benefits and Supplemental Security… Read More »
INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE & DISABILITY BENEFITS
QUALIFYING FOR SSD BENEFITS WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE Living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease can make it very difficult to work. If you can’t keep a job due to the symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), then you may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes the serious nature of… Read More »
IS THE DISABILITY TRUST FUND IN JEOPARDY?
WILL THE DISABILITY TRUST FUND RUN OUT OF MONEY? Most people don’t understand the Social Security and Disability trust funds and how they work. Headlines are constantly stating the Disability Trust Fund is going to run out of money. Therefore, people with disabilities who cannot work will not receive their payments. Let’s examine the… Read More »
GASTROINTESTINAL BLEEDING & DISABILITY
GASTROINTESTINAL HEMORRHAGE & FILING FOR SSD BENEFITS When a person suffers from gastrointestinal bleeding, they are often dealing with severe symptoms. These symptoms can include vomiting blood, blood in the stool, abdominal pain, and chronic fatigue due to blood loss. However, simply having gastrointestinal bleeding does not automatically qualify you for Social Security Disability… Read More »
CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE AND LISTING 4.06
WHAT IS CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE? Congenital Heart Disease meets SSA’s listing 4.06. The term “congenital” means that it occurs at the time of birth. Congenital heart defects are one of the most common types of birth defects. However, not all heart defects are disabling, because medical treatment may fix the symptoms. If you have… 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 SSDI and SSI benefits on the Social Security’s website. When you first apply for benefits, you should include a copy of your… Read More »
POST-POLIO SYNDROME & SSDI BENEFITS
IS POST-POLIO SYNDROME A DISABILITY? Post-Polio Syndrome (PPS) is a medical condition that affects people who had polio earlier in their lives. PPS can occur decades after the initial polio infection and it can cause disability. If you cannot work for one year or more due to your symptoms, then you can apply for… Read More »
WORST MISTAKE PEOPLE MAKE AT DISABILITY HEARING
DON’T MAKE THIS BIG MISTAKE Waiting for a hearing with a judge from the Social Security Administration can take years. From filing an application for SSD benefits to the date of your hearing can be a two year wait. You would think that such a long wait, most people would be eager to have… 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 »
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 »
HEMOPHILIA DISABILITY BENEFITS
WHAT IS HEMOPHILIA? Hemophilia is a medical condition that causes excessive bleeding due to a deficiency of clotting agents in the blood. Because the blood doesn’t clot normally, people with hemophilia who have a minor cut or bruise can lose a lot of blood. Hemophilia can also cause nosebleeds and bleeding in the gums… Read More »
HOW TO GET BOTH VETERAN BENEFITS & SSDI BENEFITS
WHAT ARE VETERAN DISABILITY BENEFITS? VA benefits are for veterans who were on active duty in the military and were injured or disabled during their service. Additionally, you can also win benefits if your post service medical condition relates to your time in service. This is true, even if your medical condition arose after… 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.
TOP 5 DISABILITIES THAT THE SSA APPROVES MOST
If you are filing an application for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), then you may wonder what top 5 disabilities the SSA approves most. Understanding this can help you see where your claim fits in. The truth is, there is no single list that guarantees approval. The SSA evaluates… Read More »
SSI BENEFITS FOR LOW BIRTH WEIGHT INFANTS
WHAT IS LOW BIRTH WEIGHT FOR AN INFANT? Low birth weight infants are eligible to receive SSI payments as soon as you apply for the benefit. The SSA will begin monthly payments and pay for up to six months while they make a decision on your application. They do this because the SSA considers… 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 »
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 »
DIABETES AND SSD BENEFITS
DIABETES AND WINNING SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS Diabetes is a disease with severe symptoms that affects 34.2 million Americans. That is 10.5% of the U.S. population. The CDC reports in the 2020 National Diabetes Statistics Report that over 88 million U.S. citizens, approximately 1 in 3, have prediabetes. Additionally, 1.4 million adults 20 years or… Read More »
IS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE A DISABILITY?
If you have high blood pressure—also called hypertension—you’re not alone. Hypertension is one of the most common medical conditions in the United States. Almost 50% of adults in the United States have high blood pressure. This amounts to about 120 million people who deal with high blood pressure. In 2022, high blood pressure was… Read More »
PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY & DISABILITY BENEFITS
WHAT IS PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY? Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage to the nerves outside of the brain and the spinal column. People who experience neuropathy feel pain. They also feel that their hands and feet are numb and weak. Many individuals describe tingling sensations in their hands and feet. They will often state the sensation… Read More »
BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER
WHAT IS BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER? Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a medical condition for which SSD benefits are available if you cannot work for longer than 12 months due to your condition. To determine if the SSA can pay you benefits for BPD, the SSA will look at all of your symptoms. They will… 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 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 called pacemaker… Read More »
UNDERSTANDING PRIMARY LATERAL SCLEROSIS (PLS)
If you have Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS), then you may be wondering whether you qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. The answer is yes. PLS is a serious and progressive neurological disorder and it can form the basis for a successful SSD claim. PLS causes stiff muscles, spasticity, and gradual weakness. It interferes with movement,… Read More »
SCHEUERMANN’S DISEASE & SSD
WHAT IS SCHEUERMANN’S DISEASE? Scheuermann’s disease, also known as Scheuermann’s kyphosis, is a condition that affects the spine. In particular, it is found in the thoracic or upper spine. Scheuermann’s disease is a type of juvenile osteochondrosis, which is a disorder that affects the growth and development of bones. In Scheuermann’s disease, the vertebrae… 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 on television. Also, the judge is not… Read More »
STROKE DISABILITY BENEFITS
CAN YOU GET DISABILITY BENEFITS FOR A STROKE? If you are suffering severe stroke symptoms and cannot work, then you can apply for stroke disability benefits. However, you must be unable to work for over 12 months for the SSA to pay you SSD benefits. You can apply for SSDI benefits and Supplemental Security… Read More »
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS & SSD BENEFITS
CAN YOU COLLECT UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND ALSO APPLY FOR SSD BENEFITS? Many people collect unemployment benefits after they lose a job. Sometimes, people file for unemployment benefits, thinking they will soon return to work. However, they then realize a disability is going to prevent them from returning to work. When you collect unemployment benefits,… Read More »
VOCATIONAL EXPERT TESTIMONY MUST BE BASED ON EVIDENCE
VOCATIONAL EXPERT TESTIMONY Vocational expert (VE) testimony requires evidence at an ALJ hearing. If you already had a hearing before an SSA judge, a VE probably gave testimony during your hearing. VEs are often called by the judge to testify about the number of jobs that are available to a person seeking benefits. The… 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 SSDI benefits or Supplemental Security Income. Usually they wonder if they qualify for benefits. But they also wonder if they should wait to file for benefits. After all, many people with injuries or… Read More »
ANAL CANCER & DISABILITY
WHAT IS ANAL CANCER? Anal cancer is a relatively rare type of cancer that develops in the tissues of the anus. The anus is the opening at the end of the digestive tract, through which stool passes out of the body. Anal cancer usually begins in the cells that line the inside of the… Read More »
CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME & SSD BENEFITS
WHAT IS CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME? Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a systemic disorder whose main symptom is unexplained fatigue. The fatigue is not relieved by rest and can worsen with physical and mental activity. CFS can occur in children, as well as in adults. The CDC defines the syndrome as one of ongoing fatigue… 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 known as the Medical Vocational Guidelines. These guidelines apply to you if your medical condition does not meet or equal an SSA listing. These special rules… Read More »
FIBROMYALGIA AND DISABILITY BENEFITS
SSD BENEFITS AND FIBROMYALGIA Fibromyalgia is a medical condition for which the Social Security Administration will pay SSD 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 »
NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS
Neurological disorders can result in winning SSD benefits if they prevent you from working for at least 12 months. In order to win SSDI and SSI benefits, your neurological condition must meet certain rules called the SSA listing. The “listing” is a long list of severe physical and mental conditions that the SSA agrees… Read More »
CAREGIVERS & THE SSD PROCESS
HOW CAREGIVERS CAN HELP THROUGH THE DISABILITY PROCESS If you’re a caregiver for someone with a severe disability, then you already know how challenging daily life can be. But when your loved one can no longer work, the stress of lost income adds another layer of difficulty. You may be looking for answers for… Read More »
QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR DISABILITY HEARING?
Are you wondering what questions the judge will ask at your disability hearing? Will you need to explain your medical symptoms in court? Should you bring other witnesses to your ALJ hearing ? How long does the hearing take? Do you know at the end of the hearing if you have won SSD benefits?… Read More »
TURNER SYNDROME & SSD BENEFITS
WHAT IS TURNER SYNDROME? Turner syndrome (TS), also called Monosomy X, is a genetic condition that impacts females. It occurs when a girl is born with one of their two X chromosomes completely or partly absent. Normally, a child is born with 46 chromosomes in each cell (23 pairs). However, in TS, the child… Read More »
BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT & SSD BENEFITS
DOES A BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT QUALIFY FOR SSD BENEFITS? A bone marrow transplant is one of the most complex medical procedures that a person can have. You might need a bone marrow transplant if you have cancer, such as leukemia, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma. Doctors will transplant healthy bone marrow cells into your body…. Read More »
BANKRUPTCY COURT TO HEAR SSA OVERPAYMENT CASE
BANKRUPTCY COURT HAS JURISDICTION TO HEAR OVERPAYMENT CASE Overpayment cases are not normally heard by any judges outside of the Social Security Administration. However, the 5th Circuit, in Benjamin v. United States of America, (5th Circuit 07/26/2019), has ruled that the Bankruptcy Court has jurisdiction to hear a representative payee’s overpayment case. Benjamin was acting as… Read More »
AUTISM BENEFITS FOR CHILDREN
WHAT IS AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER IN CHILDREN? Autism benefits are available for children who have Autism spectrum disorder. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a medical condition that affects a child’s nervous system, growth and development. Parents usually notice the symptoms of ASD during their child’s first 3 years of life. For example, some children… Read More »
WHAT IS A TRIAL WORK PERIOD?
A trial work period is a nine month period of time during a 5 year rolling timeframe. During these 5 years, you can try to “work” while still receiving SSDI benefits. You have 9 months, in a 5 year period, to earn over $1160 and still receive your SSD payments. For 2025, a trial work period begins when you earn more than $1160 in one month. If you are considering going back to work while on SSDI payments, then it is essential to consult an attorney to know your options before you start working. If you don’t, then you could end up with an overpayment of SSDI benefits and you will have to pay them back.
SOMATIC DISORDER & DISABILITY BENEFITS
WHAT IS A SOMATIC DISORDER? A somatic disorder can prevent you from working a full time job. A somatic disorder requires you to have physical symptoms that are not explained by another medical condition. However, your doctor will not diagnose a somatic disorder only because a medical cause can’t be found for a physical… Read More »
INFLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS – LISTING 14.09
SSDI AND SSI BENEFITS FOR INFLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS Inflammatory Arthritis, under the SSA’s listing, is meant to cover a number of physical conditions. Arthritis is inflammation of the joints. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Typically, inflammation of your major joints is the main sign of arthritis. Major joints include… Read More »
SPINAL CORD INJURY & SSD BENEFITS
WHAT IS A SPINAL CORD INJURY? A spinal cord injury refers to damage to the spinal cord. Your spinal cord is a long tube of nerve tissue that runs from the brain down through the center of your back. The spinal cord contains nerve fibers that transmit messages between the brain and the rest… Read More »
BULIMIA & DISABILITY BENEFITS
CAN YOU GET DISABILITY BENEFITS FOR BULIMIA? If you suffer from bulimia nervosa, you may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. Bulimia is a serious mental health disorder that affects both your mind and your body. It can make it hard to work, keep a job, or even take care of yourself. According to… Read More »
PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS AND DISABILITY BENEFITS
WHAT IS PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS? Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory arthritis that occurs in some people who have psoriasis. Psoriasis is 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… Read More »
