Social Security disability applicants are trapped in administrative limbo, unable to get money to pay for their medications or treatment, and unable to advance their cases as the SSDI backlog continues to grow and the death toll continues to rise. From the beginning of 2016 through the end of 2017, federal data obtained by the Washington Post reports that 18,701 people died while waiting for their social security disability benefits to process. The average applicant waits approximately 599 days for a disposition. Sometimes, people wait more than two years. Even when applicants finally make it to a judge, the average […]
The Social Security Administration (“SSA”) administers several programs, including Compassionate Allowances, which allows the SSA to fast-track applications for disability insurance benefits if certain conditions are met. Disability provides payments to individuals who are limited or unable to work because of a permanent or semi-permanent condition. Ordinarily, the application process can take months or even years. However, for certain conditions, the SSA will provide fast-tracked approval. Compassionate Allowances Explained Compassionate Allowances is a program that allows individuals afflicted with certain conditions, such as adult brain disorders, certain cancers, and a few rare disorders that affect children, to fast-track their disability […]
Qualified dependents of workers receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are also entitled to a benefit amount. SSDI rules limit the amount payable to a family, but understanding the rules can ensure that dependents receive the maximum amount allowable, boosting a family’s total benefit. A Significant Increase In 2017, more than 10 million disabled workers and their dependents claimed benefits under the SSDI program. The average SSDI benefit amount was about $1,100 a month. By including eligible dependents, recipients can significantly increase the amounts paid to their family. Boost Disability Payments to the Maximum SSDI benefits are based on […]
Problems with concentration, persistence, and pace that affect an individual’s ability to work may be grounds for a disability claim. When considering whether or not to approve disability claims from workers with mental impairments, the Social Security Administration looks at concentration, persistence and pace and how they impact applicants’ ability to work. These factors are sometimes hard to understand, as they are not as easily defined as physical disabilities. Understanding the impact of concentration, persistence, and pace on disability claims will help those with mental impairments make more effective disability claims. Defining Concentration, Persistence, and Pace According to the Social […]
The Compassionate Allowance Program was established to help expedite Social Security claims for claimants who suffer from certain severe medical conditions, but flaws in this program are causing unnecessary delays. In response, the Government Accountability Office has highlighted a number of challenges and issued recommendations for the SSD program. About the Compassionate Allowance Program The Compassionate Allowance program was established in 2008. It gives priority status to individuals who have certain medical conditions, placing them ahead of other claimants on the waiting list. There are over 200 conditions that qualify for the program. Many of these conditions are terminal in nature. The average claimant […]
SSDI claims are sometimes denied because the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) finds that the claimant lacks credibility. The rules governing review of SSDI cases were revised in 2016 and have eliminated claimant credibility as a determining factor in the claims approval process. On appeal, some denials that are based on credibility can be reversed by the courts. When an SSDI claim is rejected because of credibility issues, a Social Security disability attorney can help determine whether there is a basis to appeal the claim. A Fair Medical Evaluation In determining the validity of an SSDI claim, ALJs are required to conduct a […]
Getting remarried can be a fun and exciting event in a person’s life, but for someone who receives SSDI, there are several extra financial facets that must be reviewed. Remarriage can affect disability benefits in various ways and the actual impact is largely dependent on whether the person receives SSDI or SSI. The Social Security Administration can help with general questions. A social security disability attorney may be able to provide a more detailed analysis of a specific case. Types of Benefits Since part of the eligibility for SSI is determined by financial need, the amount a person receives for […]
Veterans may be eligible for expediting their SSDI claims due to a partnership between the Social Security Administration and Veterans Affairs. This special program allows disabled some soldiers to receive benefits more quickly. Medical Exchange The primary way that the process is expedited is through the Health Exchange. This is a process that allows the VA to freely share medical records electronically with the SSA. Medical documentation is necessary in every disability case. In cases in which electronic medical records are not accepted, the processing time often takes months for an agency or medical facility to supply such documentation. In comparison, […]
New rules regarding medical evidence change the manner in which disability claims are reviewed and approved. Claimants and their Social Security Disability attorney must understand the impact of these changes or face the possibility of delays and denial of disability claims. How the New Rules Affect Disability Claims According to the Social Security Administration, the intent of the rules changes is to eliminate duplication and bring clarity to the claims determination process. As a result, several long-standing practices have been modified or discontinued. Treating Physician Opinion is no Longer the Primary Claim Determination Factor For several decades, the medical opinion of the treating physician had controlling weight […]
For victims with disabling medical conditions, understanding the requirements needed to establish SSDI entitlement will streamline the process and improve the chances for a successful claim. A Social Security disability attorney can provide clients with advice and legal representation as they proceed through the SSDI claims process. Approximately 71 percent of people in Illinois who file for Social Security disability benefits are declined. In many cases, victims are declined because their claims simply didn’t include the necessary information. Following a life changing medical diagnosis, entitlement for SSDI should be established as early as possible and care must be taken to […]
