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.
Waiting on a Decision: The Writing Process and the Wait to Receive a Decision
You just had your Social Security Disability hearing before an administrative law judge so now what? The two most frequently asked questions people want to know post hearing are the following: 1) Do I have to do anything thing else or provide any additional information? And 2) How long will it take to get my decision? Regarding question number two, majority of cases are "taken under advisement" by judges after the hearing. If a case is taken under advisement this means that the judge will review the record (medical evidence, etc.) again as well as your testimony given at the hearing to make their decision. Once the judges have reviewed everything, they then send their decision and reasoning to a "decision writer." A decision writer's job is to write the lengthy legal decision regarding why someone is found disabled or not disabled. This process can take some time because not only are these decisions several pages long, but sometimes decision writers have other decisions to write first. Therefore, it generally takes around 60-90 days to get a decision in the mail if your case is taken under advisement. In rare cases, a judge may declare at the hearing that they will be finding an individual disabled and will be issuing a favorable decision. While this is good news because the individual knows they will be receiving a favorable decision, a judge still must send their decision and reasoning to a decision writer. Finally, in even rarer cases, a judge may find that a case is so clear that it should be granted and issue what is called a "bench decision." For a bench decision, the judge gives his reasons for granting the claim orally at the hearing. The written decision that follows within a few days is just a few paragraphs in length, and basically incorporates by reference the reasons given on the record at the hearing.
Waiting on a Decision: Post Hearing Development
You just had your Social Security Disability hearing before an administrative law judge so now what? The two most frequently asked questions people want to know post hearing are the following: 1) Do I have to do anything thing else or provide any additional information? And 2) How long will it take to get my decision? Regarding question number one, sometimes there is need for post hearing development. Post hearing development could mean a variety of things including providing additional evidence, submitting updated representation forms, an order requiring you to attend a consultative examination, or a supplemental hearing has been set. Waiting on additional evidence is generally the most common form of post hearing development. This means the judge is waiting on additional medical records or other documents (i.e. paystubs) be submitted before they make their decision. Your attorney's office is often times responsible for ordering and submitting medical evidence; however, if the judge is requesting paystubs or other miscellaneous documents, it is important you get those to your attorney as soon as you can so those can be submitted into the record. Additionally, the judge may delay sending out the decision if they are waiting on updated representation forms. It is important there is a signed 1696 and fee agreement in the file. Thus, make sure you have signed those updated forms with your attorney representative's name on them. Thirdly, the judge could require you to attend a consultative examination post hearing. The consultative examination will have to be scheduled, and it is crucial you attend. Finally, in rare cases a supplemental hearing might be set to get additional testimony if necessary. Overall, it is important to work with your attorney prior to the hearing to make sure all necessary documents are submitted and post hearing to understand what post hearing development is necessary so you can receive a decision as quickly as possible.
What symptoms do seizure patients experience?
Countless Minnesota residents suffer from seizures. Many of these happen following a patient's diagnosis with medical conditions such as meningitis or a stroke or following a closed head injury. There are other instances in which it may be difficult for doctors to determine what led to a patient's seizure. The fact that there are multiple varieties of seizures makes it even more difficult for physicians to explain why these sudden medical events occur.
What are seizures?
Early signs of lung cancer
Lung cancer is often detected when medical professionals run imaging tests and spot a mass in the lungs. Cancer of this type can make it hard and nearly impossible to breathe, which means it can qualify as a disability, even while you are getting treatment and even if you will eventually recover.
While these medical tests are important, it is wise to note that you can see symptoms and signs long before you go to the doctor. With cancer, one the main goals is early detection, which makes it easier to treat and less likely to be fatal. You need to know what signs to watch for so that you know when to go to the doctor. Here are a few of the most common ones:
- You have a cough that lasts for weeks and will not go away on its own
- You have notice blood when coughing on at least one occasion
- Your weight has started falling for no other reason
- You struggle to breathe or feel like you can never get a deep breath
- Whenever you sneeze or cough, you feel an ache in your chest
- You get repeated chest infections that may go away and then return
- You experience a notable loss of appetite or loss of energy
- You're just constantly fatigued, along with these other symptoms
