Tag Archives: Utah disability
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 »
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 »
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 »
HOW TO BUILD MEDICAL RECORD EVIDENCE FOR YOUR DISABILITY CASE
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 people who apply for SSDI… Read More »
DISABILITY BENEFITS FOR BACK PAIN
YOU CAN WIN SSDI & SSI BENEFITS FOR BACK PAIN If you suffer from back pain and cannot work, then you may win Social Security Disability benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers Social Security Disability Insurance or SSI benefits. If you have worked and paid taxes, then the SSA can pay you monthly… Read More »
HOW TO WIN PRESUMPTIVE DISABILITY BENEFITS
Because filing for SSI benefits can be a long process, it is possible to get temporary benefits in some circumstances. The SSA has made temporary or presumptive disability benefits available for those who claim Supplemental Security Income benefits. These benefits are available for 6 months. You receive these monthly benefits while the Social Security Administration processes… Read More »
SCHIZOPHRENIA AND DISABILITY
WHAT IS SCHIZOPHRENIA Schizophrenia is a mental condition that causes 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, then they… Read More »
ARE YOU WORKING? IF SO, ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR DISABILITY BENEFITS?
If you are working, according to how the SSA defines work, then you cannot get paid SSDI or SSI benefits. However, work has a very specific meaning under SSA’s rules. Work is defined by the SSA as “substantial gainful activity.”(SGA). A person who is earning more than a certain monthly amount (after medical work costs)… Read More »
STROKE DISABILITY BENEFITS
Stroke SSDI and SSI benefits are available, if you are suffering severe stroke symptoms and you cannot work. You must be unable to work for over 12 months in order to win Social Security benefits. You can apply for SSDI benefits and Supplemental Security Income benefits. The two benefits are have different rules. For… 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 have appeared at 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…. Read More »
BLINDNESS AND SSD BENEFITS
Blindness or visual loss can impact your daily life and ability to work. If you cannot work due to blindness and visual loss, you should file for SSDI benefits. Visual loss refers to a significant reduction in a person’s visual acuity or field of vision. Total blindness means a complete loss of vision or… 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 more 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 and see… 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 »
TIPS TO WIN FIBROMYALGIA DISABILITY BENEFITS
HOW TO APPLY FOR SSD & 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, you should apply for SSD benefits. You can apply for SSD & SSI benefits on the Social Security website. For… 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 »
DISABILITY BENEFITS FOR DEPRESSION – LISTING 12.04
WHAT IS DEPRESSION? Depression is a mental health condition that brings on chronic feelings of sadness and low mood, loss of interest in activities, and trouble doing your daily activities. A case of depression can be mild or severe and last for a short or long time. For example, you may have a mild… Read More »
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 is a group of individuals who review ALJ… Read More »
POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER WINS DISABILITY BENEFITS
WHAT IS POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER? Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. PTSD can occur in response to a wide range of traumatic experiences. For example, it can occur due combat, sexual or physical assault, natural disasters, accidents,… 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 »
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AND DISABILITY BENEFITS – LISTING 12.02
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can prevent you from working and qualify you for SSDI and SSI benefits. A TBI can occur from a head injury while playing sports. Also, combat veterans may suffer from a head injury from a bomb blast or IED. Learn more about veteran benefits here. At our office, we have… Read More »
WHY IS A VOCATIONAL EXPERT COMING TO MY HEARING?
You received your hearing notice and it says there is a vocational expert coming to your hearing. Who is this vocational expert? Why are they coming to your hearing? These are important questions. The VE is coming to your hearing to provide testimony regarding your work history. They are also going to testify about any… 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 impairments. The six domains are listed below. If your child’s mental or physical condition does not meet a listing, then you can turn… Read More »
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 paid SSDI and SSI benefits. People compare themselves to others and think their illness is worse. Therefore, they believe they should get benefits… Read More »
OVER 50? The “GRID” Rules Help Older Workers Win Disability Benefits
OLDER WORKERS CAN WIN SSDI BENEFITS Older workers have a better chance of winning benefits because of the way Social Security law works. The SSA knows that it is difficult for older workers to change jobs and to be hired. Employers don’t always want to hire older workers. They usually have to pay an… Read More »
KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY AND SSD BENEFITS
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY? Knee replacement surgery can result in winning SSDI and SSI benefits if you can no longer work. Especially, if you have chronic pain and cannot work for longer than 12 months. Typically, over 600,000 knee replacement operations are done every year in the United States. Sometimes people undergo… Read More »
SSA CHANGES DISABILITY LISTINGS FOR BACK CONDITIONS
Back disability benefits are, once again, going through chances by the SSA. The SSA changed their listing of impairments 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 of… Read More »
FIBROMYALGIA AND DISABILITY BENEFITS
DISABILITY BENEFITS AND FIBROMYALGIA Fibromyalgia is a medical condition that the Social Security Administration recognizes for purposes of paying monthly 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… Read More »
CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE AND LISTING 4.06
Congenital Heart Disease can be a disabling impairment under 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. So, not all heart defects are disabling, because treatment may fix the symptoms. If you have mild… Read More »
MENTAL IMPAIRMENTS THE JUDGE MUST CONSIDER
HOW DOES THE JUDGE RATE MENTAL CONDITIONS AT DISABILITY HEARINGS? Mental Impairments are crucial to determining disability. At disability hearings, the ALJ must weigh the medical evidence. By “weigh” the evidence, he or she must determine which evidence to give the most credence too. For example, most SSA files contain evidence from the claimant’s… Read More »
HOW TO APPLY FOR SSD BENEFITS
HOW TO FILE FOR SSD BENEFITS ONLINE Do you know how to apply for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits? Are you wondering what is the best way to apply? If so, we have some answers. If you have access to the internet, then you should apply online at Social Security’s website. Applying online is… Read More »
