Category: Social Security Disability

If you suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also known as COPD, you know how difficult it can be to work. When breathing is impaired, working at your job at Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth, Texas, may be next to impossible. Fortunately, the Social Security Administration recognizes COPD as a disability and will grant benefits to some applicants. If you do not qualify based on the criteria for the listing for this condition, you can still qualify if you are able to demonstrate that COPD makes it so that you cannot work to earn a living.

Qualifying for Disability Benefits

To determine whether you might be eligible for benefits even though you do not meet the criteria under the listing for COPD, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Does your COPD reduce your ability to breathe?
2. Does your reduction in ability to breathe make it so that you cannot carry out the functions of any type of job?
3. Does your reduced breathing capacity make it so that there are no jobs that you know how to do, given your age, education, and experience level?

If the answer is yes, you may qualify for disability benefits based on your reduced capacity for work caused by COPD. Your next steps should be as follows:

1. Contact your health care provider.
2. Ask your doctor to provide the Social Security Administration with a medical opinion as to what kinds of activities you can and cannot do. For example, if you cannot be exposed to dust or fumes, your doctor should state that in his opinion.
3. Submit to a residual functional capacity assessment when instructed by the Social Security Administration to do so. This analysis uses your test results and your doctor’s stated restrictions to determine what types of activities you are capable of performing, ranging from sedentary work to heavy work.

Depending on the results of the residual functional capacity assessment, the Social Security Administration may determine that you are unable to work and approve your request for benefits.

If you would like to learn more about how you might be able to qualify for Social Security disability benefits, we strongly encourage you to contact us today. We have been helping clients just like you for many years. Learn about it yourself by reading the many client testimonials on our website!

If you suffer from a benign brain tumor that affects your ability to work at your job at Texas Instruments in Dallas and to function in general, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits. There are generally three ways in which to qualify for these benefits. The first option is to show that you meet the specific “Blue Book” listing for a brain tumor outlined by the Social Security Administration. The second option is to show that you equal another listing outlined by the Social Security Administration. The last option is to prove that you are unable to work because of the condition.

Meeting the Benign Brain Tumor Listing

Benign brain tumors are a specific listing under the Social Security Administration’s Blue Book. In order to qualify for disability benefits, however, you must show that you meet the impairment requirements for additional listings as well. These additional listing include seizures, strokes, speech problems, loss of hearing, or mental disorders. To prove that your benign brain tumor symptoms are accompanied by seizures, you must demonstrate that the seizures significantly impact your ability to function. To prove that your benign brain tumor symptoms also meet the requirements for a stroke under the Blue Book listing, you must show that you have had a stroke that now affects your ability to talk, walk, or use your arms.

In order to qualify for Social Security disability benefits, you should first obtain a diagnosis from your physician verifying that you suffer from a benign brain tumor. You should then contact an attorney who can walk you through the disability application process.

Do you have questions right now? We encourage you to download our free guide, Social Security Disability: What You Need to Know.

If you are suffering from eczema, you may find it difficult to work or carry out basic daily activities. Eczema causes inflamed, itchy, and irritated skin that can occur anywhere on the body. It is most common on the hands, feet, face, and back of the knees. Sufferers may qualify for Social Security disability benefits automatically if they can demonstrate that they meet the requirements set forth in the Social Security Administration’s disability listing for dermatitis.

Qualifying for Social Security Disability Benefits Due to Eczema

In order to automatically qualify for benefits from the office of the Social Security Administration, you must meet certain criteria. The following is an overview of what you must show when you file your claim:

1. A diagnosis of eczema by a licensed physician.
2. The type of eczema diagnosed must be accompanied by extensive skin lesions.
3. Extensive skin lesions must either cover an area of the body needed to function, such as the palms of the hands,
4. or cover multiple less significant areas of the body. Examples would be the elbows and the face.
5. Extensive skin lesions must also cause serious limitations.
6. The extensive skin lesions must last for at least three months.
7. The extensive skin lesions must not be responding to any prescribed treatment.

Before submitting your claim for Social Security disability benefits, we encourage you to view our free guide, Social Security Disability: What You Need to Know. We invite you to share this guide with your friends and family on Facebook!

Unlike some other diseases and conditions giving rise to a disability, lupus is a chronic disease that causes harm to your body over a period of time. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack itself. It can cause damage to your joints, skin, kidneys, blood, heart, and lungs. As a result of its chronic nature, it could be the case that your limitations have increased to the extent where you will now qualify for Social Security disability benefits, even if you were denied in the past.

How to Appeal a Social Security Disability Benefits Denial

So what should you do if you find yourself with an increasing inability to function as a result of lupus, but were denied Social Security disability benefits in the past? Consider taking the following steps:

• Consult with a knowledgeable and experienced attorney familiar with the complex rules and requirements for obtaining Social Security disability benefits.
• Determine whether you meet the listing requirements for lupus. Lupus is one of the diseases that is specifically listed in Social Security’s listing of impairments. As a result, if you meet the requirements, you may qualify for benefits.
• Assess whether you are no longer able to work due to impairments created by lupus. This may include evaluating the physical, mental, and sensory limitations brought on by the condition.
• Gather the medical evidence required to meet the lupus listing under Social Security’s listing of impairments. This includes obtaining updated medical information. Eleven criteria are set forth to determine whether an individual has lupus. You must meet at least four of those criteria.
• Complete the appeal forms provided by the nearest Texas Social Security disability field office.
• Call SSA to follow up.

If you suffer from a debilitating chronic condition like lupus, do not give up on your pursuit for Social Security disability benefits. To further prepare yourself for the appeals process, we encourage you to view our free guide, Social Security Disability: What You Need to Know.

Claimants approved for Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income benefits may be pleased to know that they may be entitled to back pay. This back pay is made to compensate applicants for the sometimes lengthy amount of time that it takes the Social Security Administration to process disability claims. Back pay is distributed either in one lump sum or in three installments spread out over six month intervals.

After reviewing your claim, if the Social Security Administration has notified you that you are entitled back pay to be paid out in intervals, there is a further restriction that you must be aware of. In some cases, the installments will not be in equal amounts. If the back pay that is owed is more than three times the monthly Supplemental Security Income benefit amount, prior to deductions for income or support, then you will be paid in partial installments. The first two partial installments cannot equal more than three times your maximum monthly benefit. The third and final installment is in whatever amount is necessary to complete the back pay payments. Fortunately for those in need, there are exceptions to these rules.

Exceptions to Installment Payment Plan

• The amount of your first and second partial installment payments for back pay can be increased if you can demonstrate necessary medical needs or debts that relate to necessities, such as housing, food, or clothing.
• Installment payments can be converted to a lump sum payment if you can show that you are expected to die within 12 months.
• Installment payments can be converted to a lump sum payment if you become ineligible for Supplemental Security Income.

Managing Social Security disability claims in Dallas can be a complex process. To learn more about how we have helped many clients in situations like yours, view our client testimonials.

After submitting your request for an on-the-record decision in Dallas, there are several possible next steps in the Social Security disability claim process. Fortunately, an experienced attorney can help guide you each step of the way. The following are potential next steps following an application for an on-the record decision as part of your Social Security disability claim:

• It is possible that an attorney adjudicator reviewing your file may contact you with specific questions. Examples of such questions include whether you are currently working, or when your disability began.
• You may receive an approval of your on-the-record decision. The judge will review the written record provided to the Social Security Administration and may issue a finding that you qualify for benefits.
• You request for on-the-record decision in Dallas might not be approved.
• Your Social Security disability case may move on to a hearing.

Fortunately, there are no penalties for being issued a denial of your request for an on-the-record decision. If the request succeeds, however, you will have avoided the need for a hearing with regard to your claim. The process will also have been expedited since you will not have to wait for a formal hearing. Since there are so many potential benefits to obtaining an on-the-record decision, this means there is little reason not to seek out the on-the-record decision.

The attorneys at Morgan Weisbrod are experienced and knowledgeable with regard to helping clients obtain Social Security disability benefits. To learn more about how we have helped clients with claims like yours, view our many positive client testimonials. For more information and helpful tips, follow us on Facebook!

The Direct Express Debit MasterCard is one of two choices that Social Security disability recipients and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients have for receiving paperless monthly checks. The second option is a direct deposit of funds into your bank or credit union account. Paperless options are safer and more secure than getting a check in the mail and also more convenient choice for many.

The Direct Express debit card is ideal for those who do not have a bank account, though anyone may request a card. Each month, your Social Security benefits will become available on the card, which you can use to make purchases directly or to get cash at ATMs. While your first ATM withdrawal of the month is free, subsequent withdrawals cost 90 cents each. There are also fees to use your card abroad and to transfer money from your card to a bank account.

When the Social Security Administration switches over to an all-paperless payment system next year, check recipients will have to choose between this option or a bank deposit option.

Do you have a question about your Social Security benefits or a denied Social Security claim? Speak with a Dallas Social Security disability attorney at Morgan & Wiesbrod today at (214) 373-3761.

If your child suffers from a serious disability in Texas and does not have significant financial support or resources, he or she may be eligible to collect Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments.

To qualify, your child must:

• Be under the age of 18
• Have a limited income and limited resources, and have parents or guardians with limited income and limited resources
• Not be earning more than $1,000 a month from employment
• Suffer from mental or physical disabilities that severely limit their activities
• Suffer from mental or physical disabilities that will last more than a year or result in death

Some common health conditions that qualify for SSI disability payments for children in Texas include: HIV/AIDS infection, blindness, deafness, muscular dystrophy, Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and extremely low birth weight.

To apply for SSI payments for your disabled child, you must provide detailed medical records, financial records, and other information that proves that your child is disabled and without significant resources. If you need assistance with securing SSI disability payments for your child in Texas, speak with a Houston disability attorney today.

Supplementary Security Income (SSI) is a federal program that provides monthly benefits to those with low incomes and few resources who are disabled, blind, or over 65 years old. Both children and adults can qualify for benefits. To qualify for SSI benefits due to a physical or mental disability, you must be unable to work for at least 12 months, have little or no income, and have under $2,000 in resources (such as property and other assets). Couples may have up to $3,000 in resources.

Unlike Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), SSI payments are not based on an individual’s work history or past contributions. Instead of being funded by Social Security taxes, SSI is funded by federal income taxes. As of 2011, about 8 million Americans receive some amount of Supplementary Security Income.

You may apply for Supplementary Security Income though your local Social Security Administration office. During the application process – which takes approximately three to six months – applicants must prove their disability and disclose their income and resources. If you are denied SSI benefits, you have 60 days to appeal your case.

Have more questions about Supplementary Security Income (SSI)? Speak with a Texas disability attorney today.