Proving a disability claim before Social Security Administration essentially involves showing an inability to perform past work or any other substantial work that exists in the national economy due to a diagnosable medical impairment(s). Social Security Administration will deem that work exists in the national economy when there is a significant number of jobs that meet a claimant's physical, mental, and vocational limitations. While the job could exist outside the region you live, isolated jobs that exist in relatively few locations are not considered "work which exists in the national economy." 20 C.F.R. 404.1560.
Job Obsolescence
COVID-19 Long Haulers and Disability Benefits
As the COVID-19 pandemic enters into its second years, there are still many things that we don't understand about the virus.
One of those phenomenon is "long haulers." While most people who contract the virus make a full recovery after a few weeks, long haulers continue to suffer from debilitating symptoms, such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and brain fog, for months after the initial infection.
When Will Social Security Offices Reopen?
It's a new year, but there's still no sign of Social Security reopening offices to in-person disability hearings anytime soon.
This is not the situation anyone expected when offices closed in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most attorneys and staff expected that we would be back to business as usual in a few weeks.
6 Reasons Why Disability Claims Are Denied
If you are suffering from an injury or medical condition that promises to leave you unable to work for at least one year, you likely struggled to figure out how you would make ends meet during that time. This may be especially stressful if your doctor expects your condition to be chronic or to get worse.
Like many in Minnesota who are in similar situations, you filled out an application for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration. To your shock, the SSA denied your request, leaving you wondering why and what your next step should be. You may be surprised to learn that the SSA denies about 70% of all first-time applicants for disability benefits. If you understand why, you may have more success when you appeal the SSA's decision.
Types of Social Security Disability Benefits: Title 16 Benefits
Types of Social Security Disability Benefits: Title 2 Benefits
Social Security Announces Small Cost of Living Increase
Social Security disability recipients will see their smallest cost of living increase in four years come 2021.
Hand Injuries and Social Security Disability
One issue where I'm seeing more clients win cases lately is on the limitations they have using their hands.
Hearing loss doesn't automatically qualify as a disability
People who have hearing loss often find that doing even basic tasks is difficult. The challenges that they experience will often become more pronounced as the hearing loss becomes greater. For some, this might lead to them having significant trouble earning a living.
It might surprise some people, however, to know that it is difficult to get Social Security Disability payments based on hearing loss unless your case meets very specific circumstances.
Dealing with shame as a person with a disability
Disabilities come in many different forms. However, most disabled people share many of the same frustrations, emotions and experiences as a result of going through life with a disability. Therefore, it's possible that you, like many other people with a disability, experience feelings of shame. Sometimes the emotional burden of living with a disability can be as difficult to handle as the disability itself.
You may be unaware of exactly why you feel ashamed about your disability, but it is likely that it has arisen during many different experiences. It is important that you are able to identify which of your opinions are rooted in this shame and that you do not let these feelings prevent you from living your life fully. For example, many people find that the shame they experience hinders them from applying for disability benefits. The following is an overview of how you can potentially deal with feelings of shame so that you can overcome them.
