Social Security Adds New Conditions to Fast Track Disabilitty Approval Process

In July, the Social Security Administration announced that its new "Compassionate Allowances Conditions Fast Track Disability Process" will expand to include 100 Conditions.   Social Security Commissioner Michael J. Astrue, announced 12 additional Compassionate Allowances conditions involving severe heart diseases, bringing the total number of conditions in the expedited disability process to 100.

Compassionate Allowances are a way to quickly identify diseases and other medical conditions that, by definition, meet Social Security’s standards for disability benefits. These conditions primarily include certain cancers, adult brain disorders, and a number of rare disorders that affect children. “We have reached a significant milestone for the Compassionate Allowances program,” Commissioner Astrue said. “We have an obligation to award benefits quickly to people whose medical conditions are so serious they clearly meet our disability standards. We are now able to do precisely that for 100 severe conditions.”

The Compassionate Allowances initiative is one of two parts of the agency’s fast-track system for certain disability claims. When combined with the Quick Disability Determination process, Social Security last year approved more than 100,000 cases, usually in less than two weeks. This year, the agency expects to fast-track nearly 150,000 cases. Social Security has held seven public hearings and worked with experts to develop the list of Compassionate Allowances conditions. The hearings also have helped the agency identify additional ways to improve the disability process for applicants with Compassionate Allowances conditions. “By definition, these illnesses are so severe that we don’t need to fully develop the applicant’s work history to make a decision,” said Commissioner Astrue. As a result, beginning in August, Social Security is eliminating this part of the application process for people who have a condition on the list.  For more information on the Compassionate Allowances initiative, see www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances.


For assistance with your Social Security Disability or SSI claim, call Clearwater / Tampa Disability Lawyer John V. Tucker at (866) 282-5260.

A look at Social Security's Disability Program

Some interesting statistics thanks to an article from the Washington Post's website, August 21, 2011 edition. 

By Associated Press, Updated: Sunday, August 21, 10:31 AM

WASHINGTON — A look at Social Security’s disability program:

About 13.6 million people receive federal disability benefits.

—7.6 million receive Social Security disability.

—4.4 million receive Supplemental Security Income.

—1.6 million receive both.

Social Security Disability:

—Reserved for people with a substantial work history.

—Average monthly payment: $927

—Financing: A portion of Social Security payroll taxes (the rest goes to the retirement fund).

—Payroll taxes collected for disability program in 2010: $93 billion.

—Total benefits paid in 2010: $124 billion.

—Assets in Social Security disability trust fund at end of 2010: $180 billion.

—Year when trust fund projected to be exhausted: 2017.

Supplemental Security Income:

—Reserved for the very poor.

—Average monthly payment: $500.

—Maximum monthly payment: $674 for individuals, $1,011 for couples.

—Many states provide additional payments.

—Financing: General revenue funds.

—Total benefits paid in 2010: $48 billion.

For the original web page:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/a-look-at-social-securitys-disability-program/2011/08/21/gIQAJlTHUJ_story.html

All rights reserved. For assistance with your Long Term Disability claim, ERISA Disability benefit claim, Social Security Disability claim in Florida, or Veterans Disability compensation or pension claim, call Disability Lawyer John Tucker at (866) 282-5260.

Social Security Disability or SSI Hearing? Read SSA's Own Stats to Find Out How Often Your Judge Pays Claims

Social Security Disability and SSI cases are handled by Administrative Law Judges - called "ALJs." Some ALJs pay award benefits more often than others. So, how do you know?

If your disability or SSI claim was scheduled for hearing, you can find the name of your Judge by looking at the Notice of Hearing letter. Click here to see the Social Security Administration's own statistics about how many claims your ALJ has paid or denied.

Keep in mind that Social Security's statistics also show that you are more likely to win a Social Security Disability / SSI attorney when you are represented by a knowledgeable attorney at your hearing.

Copyright (c) 2011 by John V. Tucker and Tucker & Ludin, P.A. All rights reserved. For assistance with your Long Term Disability claim, ERISA Disability benefit claim, Social Security Disability claim, or Veterans Disability compensation or pension claim, call Florida Disability Lawyer John Tucker at (866) 282-5260.

Orlando Social Security Hearing Office Update

In a recent communication from the Social Security's Orlando Office of Disability Adjudication and Review ('ODAR'...what used to be called the Office of Hearings and Appeals), I learned that our Orlando area clients who filed Requests for Hearing in January and February 2010 will have their hearings scheduled beginning April 2011. The Orlando ODAR reports that they have dropped their waiting time from 488 days to 394 days in the last year. That is a great improvement, and we hope they continue to get that delay reduced.

The ODAR hears the second appeal for Social Security Disability and SSI cases. After an Initial Denial, claimants file a Request for Reconsideration. If that is denied, the second appeal is a Request for Hearing Before an Administrative Law Judge at the ODAR.

I handle hearings all over the State of Florida, and the Orlando ODAR is one of the best at keeping attorneys updated about their backlog. We routinely get emails from them, and I am happy to pass this information to our clients and readers of this blog.

Copyright (c) 2010 by John V. Tucker and Tucker & Ludin, P.A. All rights reserved. For assistance with your Long Term Disability claim, ERISA Disability benefit claim, Social Security Disability claim, or Veterans Disability compensation or pension claim, call Disability Lawyer John Tucker at (866) 282-5260.

No COLA for Social Security Benefits in 2011

The Social Security Administration has announced that there will be no Cost of Living Adjustment for Social Security and SSI benefits in 2011. COLAs are added when there is a change in the Consumer Price Index, and Social Security states that no change has occurred.

This is the second year in a row that there will be no Cost of Living Adjustment to Social Security Disability, Old Age, or SSI benefits.

Read Social Security's Press Release here.


Copyright (c) 2010 by John V. Tucker and Tucker & Ludin, P.A. All rights reserved. For assistance with your Long Term Disability claim, ERISA Disability benefit claim, Social Security Disability claim, or Veterans Disability compensation or pension claim, call Disability Lawyer John Tucker at (866) 282-5260.

Did you know you can apply for Social Security Disability or SSI benefits online?

If you had to stop working because of a sickness or injury and expect to be out of work for at least 12 months, the Social Security Administration has made it very easy to apply for Social Security Disability. Simply go to the Social Security website at http://ssa.gov/applyfordisability/ and fill out the forms online. There are 2 main forms: The Disability Application and the Disability Report.

You will need the following information for each of the forms to complete your application for Social Security Disability or SSI:

DISABILITY APPLICATION

• Military Service discharge information (Form DD 214) for all periods of active duty.

• W-2 Form (or your IRS 1040 and Schedules C and SE if self-employed) from last year.

• Social Security Number(s) for your spouse and minor children.

• Checking or savings account number and bank routing number, if you want Direct Deposit for your benefit checks.

DISABILITY REPORT

• Name, address and phone number of someone we can contact who knows about your medical conditions and can help with your claim.

• Names, addresses, phone numbers, patient ID numbers, and dates of treatment for all doctors, hospitals, and clinics.
  NOTE: You may want to refer to any Medical Records you have.

• Names of medicines you are taking and who prescribed them.
  NOTE: You may want to have your medicine bottles available.

• Names and dates of medical tests you have had and who sent you for them.

• Types of jobs and dates you worked for your last 5 jobs.

• Information about any insurance or workers' compensation claims you filed, such as claim number and name, address and phone number of insurance company.

You can also apply by phone or in person at a Social Security office, but the online application is the way we recommend people apply these days.

Although you do not need a disability benefit attorney to file your application, having a consultation before you apply can be very helpful. Speak to a Social Security disability attorney that will give you a free consultation to get some tips on how to help your claim for Social Security Disability and SSI.

Copyright (c) 2010 by John V. Tucker and Tucker & Ludin, P.A. All rights reserved. For assistance with your Long Term Disability claim, ERISA Disability benefit claim, Social Security Disability claim, or Veterans Disability compensation or pension claim, call Disability Lawyer John Tucker at (866) 282-5260.

Over 3 Million People Expected to Apply for Social Security Disability in 2010

CBS News reported that Social Security is expecting over 3.3 million people to apply for Social Security Disability in 2010. That is an increase of 300,000 over last year, and 700,000 over 2008.

In addition to describing the application process, the article also discusses the lengthy waiting times people have to get benefits. On average around the country, a person will wait 777 days from the day they apply to when they are finally approved. Since that is an average, it means many applicants wait much longer.

Comment: A combination of factors is impacting this rise. Baby boomers are reaching middle age. The bulk of people applying for disability benefits are in their 50's. The poor economy is also at work, forcing those who were barely able to hold a job or who were getting accommodations from employers out of the workforce. Without any place to get a job, many are applying for disability benefits through Social Security and private or group disability insurance policies.

Copyright (c) 2010 by John V. Tucker and Tucker & Ludin, P.A. All rights reserved. For assistance with your Long Term Disability claim, ERISA Disability benefit claim, Social Security Disability claim, or Veterans Disability compensation or pension claim, call Disability Lawyer John Tucker at (866) 282-5260.