Articles Posted in Social Security

Seeking to obtain Supplemental Security Income and Disability Insurance benefits can be challenging. There may be lots of evidence and documents needed to obtain a successful result. To give yourself a strong chance of success, you need an experienced Illinois Social Security attorney to make certain that your case has everything that it needs to get you the favorable result that you deserve.

One man who took his case all the way to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals to achieve a successful result was Alejandro. Alejandro’s work-related medical problems began in 2006 when he fell off a scaffold while taping drywall. The man sought medical attention for his back injury, but the doctors found no fracture. When the pain did not go away, the man sought more treatment, and doctors discovered an injury to the spinal nerve root. The worker sought the care of a clinical psychologist for his constant pain. That doctor concluded that Alejandro displayed depressed mood, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and memory problems.

Based on the significance of his back injury, Alejandro filed a claim for Supplemental Security Income and Disability Insurance. The ALJ reviewed the evidence and concluded that Alejandro was not disabled. The ALJ decided that the worker suffered from “severe impairments—lumbar disc disease, myofascial pain syndrome, left knee pain, obesity, and depression,” but these problems did not limit Alejandro to such an extent that he could not work. Alejandro could do light work with some restrictions, according to the judge. One of the pieces of evidence upon which the judge relied was a 2007 report from a psychologist, to which the judge gave “great weight.”

Washington insiders suggest that Social Security Disability benefit cuts are likely on the way. Social Security has always been a hot debate topic and cuts to the program are often discussed. In recent months, the future for those receiving benefits has been in question. The results from the annual review of the Social Security program are in and the disability programs appear to be in the most danger.

What is Social Security Disability Insurance?

The Social Security Disability program is one of the largest of the Federal programs designed to provide assistance to people with documented disabilities. Social Security Disability Insurance provides financial benefits to disabled individuals, along with certain family members, if enough work has been completed, and enough Social Security tax paid, to qualify.

The spinal cord carries nerve signals between the brain and body. A spinal cord injury can result in partial or total disruption of these signals, leading to loss of movement or sensation below the level of injury. While some losses are temporary, some spinal cord injury victims suffer permanent, debilitating changes, as many Social Security Disability lawyers Chicago know. Fortunately, Social Security Disability benefits may be available to victims of these disabling injuries.

Establishing disablement

SSD benefits are available to people who have suffered injuries that prevent any form of gainful employment. A medical condition is only considered disabling if it is anticipated to last longer than 12 months or result in mortality. As Social Security Disability lawyers in Chicago can explain, a person may qualify for SSD benefits by meeting the terms of a listing in the Social Security Administration’s “Blue Book” or by qualifying for a medical-vocational allowance.

Work-related injuries contribute to about 1 in 20 cases of disability, according to the Council for Disability Awareness. Workers’ compensation insurance provides financial support to Illinois workers who have suffered disabling job-related injuries or illnesses. However, as any Illinois Social Security attorneys can explain, some of these workers may additionally be eligible to collect Social Security Disability benefits.

Two distinct systems

The SSD and workers’ compensation systems are entirely separate. States administer workers’ compensation programs, whereas Social Security benefits are awarded through federal programs. Receiving workers’ compensation benefits does not disqualify a person from seeking SSD benefits.

Blindness affects more than 1 million Americans over the age of 40, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The condition can introduce significant medical expenses and markedly restrict a person’s abilities. Many people who suffer from legal blindness in Chicago may struggle to work gainfully to support themselves. These individuals may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits and special exemptions to certain Social Security Administration rules

Qualifying for benefits

The Social Security Administration considers a person legally blind if vision in the person’s stronger eye meets one of two criteria after best correction. The visual field must be contracted to an angle of 20 degrees or less, or central visual acuity must be less than 20/200. People who are legally blind may qualify for benefits without further medical consideration. However, these individuals must have adequate earnings records, and they cannot engage in work the SSA considers gainful.

The Social Security Administration uses strict standards to evaluate whether disabled individuals qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. The SSD application process is also highly technical. Even if applicants in Chicago are severely disabled, they may face benefit denial due to errors during the application process. When seeking benefits, applicants should be careful to avoid the following common causes of claim denial.

Inadequate medical documentation

Many applicants fail to fully document their conditions with appropriate evidence. The SSA requires medical evidence from acceptable medical sources, which include psychologists, physicians, optometrists, podiatrists and speech-language pathologists. The SSA also prefers medical evidence from sources with a history of treating the applicant.