My Disability Blog

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172073962009-07-09T12:10:45.345-07:00My Disability BlogDisability Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890188944381642816noreply@blogger.comBlogger1646125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17207396.post-50495657487995639602009-07-09T11:58:00.000-07:002009-07-09T12:10:45.384-07:00Chronic pain can be debilitating but lifestyle changes may help

Chronic pain can be debilitating. More people seek medical help for chronic and acute-onset pain that any other health issue. While acute-onset pain requires immediate medical attention and can be due to an emergency situation, chronic pain is something that patients have to live with and find ways to manage. Taking pain relievers and anti-depressants are both very successful ways to manage pain,

Disability Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890188944381642816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17207396.post-23302609131947226842009-07-07T20:50:00.000-07:002009-07-07T20:51:47.159-07:00If you get Denied, File Your Social Security Disability Appeal Quickly

If you apply for disability benefits from the social security administration, either SSD (social security disability) or SSI, and you get denied as roughly thirty percent of all claimants do, what should you do? The answer is not hard. You should, in the vast majority of cases, file an appeal. But you should also do something else. You should get your appeal filed as fast as humanly possible. Why

Disability Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890188944381642816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17207396.post-29534473213234699422009-07-06T05:00:00.000-07:002009-07-06T05:15:39.010-07:00Thoughts on how to get Social Security Benefits if You are Disabled

I recently came across an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal that analyzed why so many individuals have problems securing Social Security disability benefits. The article presented some interesting factoids about disability such as: A) 7.4 million Americans are receiving Social Security disability benefits (this is a small percentage of the overall Social Security benefit payout; by

Disability Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890188944381642816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17207396.post-70222448814168335582009-07-06T04:57:00.000-07:002009-07-06T04:59:38.436-07:00Migraines and PTSD often occur together

Research at Drexel University has found that those who experience chonic headaches and migraines also have post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, more frequently than those who do not suffer from migraines. The research also suggests that patients who experience both conditions could develop other headache-related conditions. The study suggests that treating post traumatic stress in migraine

Disability Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890188944381642816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17207396.post-41300760032166757412009-07-04T12:42:00.000-07:002009-07-04T12:48:41.416-07:00It's the Fourth of July...Charlie Brown

Well, I don't think there was a Charlie Brown Independence day special. Too bad. But, with or without Charlie Brown, its a great holiday with great summer weather, at least in North Carolina. Our local area, btw, had its fireworks display last night on the 3rd (a little anti-climactic, but still nice).

Disability Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890188944381642816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17207396.post-75568759854008903972009-07-04T12:39:00.000-07:002009-07-04T12:54:11.420-07:00Recent Social Security Disability Tweets

1. Social Security Disability Hearing requests are up 10 percent compared to the same period last year.2. SSA statistics show that it is now taking longer to get a decision from a judge after a social security disability hearing has been held.3. Apparently the longer times required for social security disability hearing decisions results from a manpower shortage among decision writers.4. The more

Disability Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890188944381642816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17207396.post-30765179848286113392009-07-03T03:11:00.000-07:002009-07-03T03:25:20.960-07:00Insurance, Medical Exams, and Disability Being Natural

From last Sunday's morning newspaper reading: term life insurance premiums are going up. This is after close to 20 years of downward prices, something I was quite oblivious to. According to the article by M.P. McQueen, prices on term plans have risen between five and fifteen percent in most cases and, apparently, the reason behind this is higher reinsurance costs that now exist because of a

Disability Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890188944381642816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17207396.post-24216627509977761772009-07-03T03:02:00.000-07:002009-07-03T03:05:23.409-07:00Quick Answers to Quick Polling Questions about the Economy, etc

1. What did you think about the $250.00 Stimulus Check?It was a gesture but I wasn't sure such a small amount was worth additional indebtedness for the country.2. If you were on wall street, would the the third business quarter look good to you?I have no clue what the wall streeters think. It's a nest of speculation and lemmings. From the standpoint of the economy, I'd like everyone to be

Disability Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890188944381642816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17207396.post-35544129848417528852009-06-29T14:02:00.000-07:002009-06-29T14:05:29.569-07:00Health Insurance Companies Shouldn't have the Right to Drop You When you get Sick

This is simply my opinion. However, opinion forms the basis for the type of society that we live in. Because as voters and taxpayers, ultimately we make those decisions ourselves. And the worst thing we can do is cede those decisions to private industry, policy wonks, and flighty politicians. This is why the issue of national health insurance is so important.1. You shouldn't have to worry about

Disability Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890188944381642816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17207396.post-69064510884672227002009-06-29T13:58:00.000-07:002009-06-29T13:59:53.590-07:00How Much Can You get in Monthly Social Security Disability Benefits?

Here's a question I was recently asked by someone inquiring on behalf of a family member. How much can a person get in monthly social security disability benefits?Well, let's start with the very basics. Social Security administers two disability programs, Social Security disability (title 2 benefits) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI, title 16 benefits). The amount of an individual’s

Disability Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890188944381642816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17207396.post-40658655759593753412009-06-27T22:04:00.000-07:002009-06-27T22:06:27.912-07:00A Gluten Free Diet and celiac disease a.k.a. Coeliac disease

You may have heard of the gluten-free diet and celiac disease, also known as Coeliac disease. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects the small intestine. This digestive disease interferes with nutrient absorption and causes the immune system to eradicate villi, the lining of the small intestine. People with celiac disease cannot tolerate gluten, a protein found in wheat (spelt,

Disability Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890188944381642816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17207396.post-52793161247648973512009-06-25T21:27:00.000-07:002009-06-25T21:36:26.535-07:00Why did I get Denied on my Social Security Disability Request for Reconsideration?

As a former disability examiner and in my involvement in claimant representation, I've come across thousands of individuals who were angry, irritated, and perplexed over the fact that, after being denied on their disability application, they were denied yet again, for a second time, on their request for reconsideration appeal. Typically, if I was speaking to the claimant who had just been denied

Disability Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890188944381642816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17207396.post-79974424139154372202009-06-24T04:56:00.000-07:002009-06-24T05:17:29.009-07:00Study Found That Narcolepsy is an Autoimmune Disease

Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder that affects nearly 1 out of every 2,000 people in the United States. People with narcolepsy usually have periods of extreme tiredness during the day and are prone to fall asleep at inappropriate times. Oftentimes these ‘spontaneous naps’ will occur while working, watching TV or otherwise already engaged in an activity.Stanford University recently conducted

Disability Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890188944381642816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17207396.post-32246801521217980742009-06-22T21:28:00.000-07:002009-06-22T21:40:59.654-07:00Why Are Living Arrangements Addressed During an SSI Application?

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a disability program that is intended to assist individuals with medical conditions that prevent them from working. As opposed to social security disability, SSI is primarily intended for those who have not worked enough to qualify for the Social Security Disability (SSD) program, or whose coverage for SSD has lapsed. However, having said that, SSI may be

Disability Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890188944381642816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17207396.post-53986376568868559792009-06-19T14:40:00.000-07:002009-06-19T14:46:52.071-07:00What happens after a social security disability claim gets taken?

In actuality, though a social security disability or SSI disability claim gets taken at a local social security administration office (including the disability interview and all the accompanying paperwork), it doesn't get processed or worked on there. After the claim is taken, it is transferred to the agency that handles the medical and vocational evaluation of the claim. In other words, an

Disability Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890188944381642816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17207396.post-6109244233547791172009-06-17T09:56:00.000-07:002009-06-17T09:59:12.751-07:00Gluten-free diet growing in popularity

Can a gluten-free diet help you feel better? Cheryl Heppard, a holistic health examiner in Detroit, believes that almost everyone can benefit from eliminating or at least limiting gluten, the protein found in grains like wheat, barley, and most oats. Heppard says that nearly everyone seems to have an inflammatory reaction to gluten, although the degree of sensitivity varies widely. Gluten

Disability Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890188944381642816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17207396.post-5421829034629000772009-06-16T20:33:00.000-07:002009-06-16T20:40:59.788-07:00Obesity and Arthritis the Culprits of Women’s Disability

We all know that in general, women live longer than men. This would seem like a great thing for women; getting to enjoy their families and lives longer as compared to men. However, despite better longevity over men, Duke University Medical Center presented a report at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Geriatrics Society that showed older women are more likely to experience disability

Disability Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890188944381642816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17207396.post-48035405789133959172009-06-15T06:15:00.000-07:002009-06-19T14:57:10.573-07:00Will you get Social Security Disability if you can't do your old job?

I see this mentioned in forums and articles now and then, the notion that you will be awarded social security disability or SSI disability if you are unable to return to your old job. Is this correct? Not really.There are two ways of being awarded disability benefits from the social security administration. The first way is for a disability adjudicator (depending on the level your claim is at,

Disability Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890188944381642816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17207396.post-623592023522492092009-06-13T22:07:00.000-07:002009-06-13T22:10:20.388-07:00Stroke, a leading cause of disability, can happen at any age

When the blood supply to the brain is disturbed due to either A) thrombosis (formation of blood clot inside a blood vessel), B) embolism (a free moving thrombosis), or C) hemorrhage (internal bleeding), a stroke can occur. This causes rapid deterioration of brain function, resulting in muscle weakness in the face, numbness on one side of the body, the inability to comprehend or formulate speech,

Disability Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890188944381642816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17207396.post-64082087540238685282009-06-13T21:59:00.000-07:002009-06-13T22:06:29.890-07:00Can a Collection Agency or Business Garnish My Social Security Disability Check?

Social Security does not allow garnishment of disability benefits by creditors. Any credit card company, business, or individual who has won a judgment against you will never garnish your Social Security disability check.Social Security will allow garnishment of your Social Security disability benefits for current and past due child support or alimony. And the Internal Revenue Service is allowed

Disability Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890188944381642816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17207396.post-90536648569967915762009-06-11T09:47:00.000-07:002009-06-11T10:11:28.747-07:00Is it difficult to get an approval for SSI Disability?

It can be, and for more than one reason. First of all, the disability claim process used by the social security administration for SSD (social security disability) and SSI (supplemental security income) often takes quite a long time to get through. This may not always be the case for those individuals who are awarded disability benefits at the initial disability application level (about 30

Disability Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890188944381642816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17207396.post-10294531643297561742009-06-10T16:49:00.000-07:002009-06-10T16:52:49.762-07:00Chronic fatigue patients seek diagnostic test

When you think about chronic fatigue syndrome, what is your reaction? Many who have no experience with the condition find CFS something to joke about. Chronic fatigue syndrome is often misunderstood, causing frustration for those who suffer from it. Chronic fatigue is characterized by six months or more of extreme fatigue, low fever, headaches, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes in the neck,

Disability Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890188944381642816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17207396.post-32280196775128933622009-06-09T15:45:00.000-07:002009-06-09T17:12:59.079-07:00When You Apply For Social Security Disability Do You Get Back Pay Benefits For the Five- Month Waiting Period?

Unfortunately, you will never receive back pay disability benefits for the five month waiting period. According to the Social Security Act, every person who is insured for disability benefits, not full retirement age, who has filed an application for Social disability and been found disabled will be entitled to disability benefits for each month beginning the first month following the five month

Disability Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890188944381642816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17207396.post-51409339149100084212009-06-08T05:20:00.000-07:002009-06-08T05:43:54.654-07:00Receiving SSI as a Child and Later as an Adult due to Job Difficulties

My son was very premature and has numerous mental and cognitive disabilities. I use to get SSI for him when I was a single mom and he was a minor. Now that he is 18 I have applied for him to receive SSI once again since his disabilities will impair his ability to get any sort of job. I have been calling for status updates and the adjudicator in the determination dept. has informed me that he will

Disability Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890188944381642816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17207396.post-27740256606435678872009-06-06T07:49:00.000-07:002009-06-06T07:58:42.106-07:00Most Bankruptcies are the result of Medical Bills Even for Those who Have Health Insurance

Congress, during the prior Presidential administration, dramatically scaled back the ability of ordinary Americans (i.e. not people like Donald Trump) to seek bankruptcy protection. And I think the motivation, rationale, and justification used by that political party had quite a bit to do with their notion that the majority of those who declare bankruptcy are in their particular position because

Disability Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890188944381642816noreply@blogger.com0