Everyday People Matter
The Social Security Administration (SSA) does not require you to schedule an appointment to file for disability benefits or to appeal a disability case. However, an appointment can help save time on the processing of your claim. To cancel or reschedule an appointment, you can contact the SSA by calling 1-800-772-1213. Their hours of operation are weekdays between 7 am-7 pm.…
The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently added Megalencephaly-Capillary Malformation Syndrome to the list of disorders and conditions included in its Compassionate Allowances program. This program allows expedited approval of disability benefits claims. Megalencephaly is a condition that is characterized by overgrowth of tissues in the body and abnormalities of the tiny blood vessels in the skin. A person who suffers…
Fibrolamellarcancer, a rare type of liver cancer, was added to the Compassionate Allowances program in August 2018. This program by the Social Security Administration (SSA) outlines a list of conditions and diseases that warrant an accelerated processing of claims. The Compassionate Allowances program currently includes 233 conditions, including five new conditions added in August 2018. Fibrolamellaris one of the rarest…
Tetrasomy 18p is a very rare chromosomal disorder that can lead to neurological impairment, muscular abnormalities, and a number of other complications that can severely impair the quality of a person’s life. The Social Security Administration recently added this condition to its Compassionate Allowances program. Typically, persons have two 18 chromosomes, and both of these will have a short arm…
On October 11, 2018, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced that social security payments will increase for more than 67 million Americans in 2019 as part of the cost-of-living adjustment. Payments are set to rise 2.8% for social security beneficiaries 2019, as a result of inflation. This increase will take effect on December 31, 2018, for the 8 million recipients…
The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently added Megacystis Microcolon Intestinal Hypoperistalsis Syndrome to conditions covered under its Compassionate Allowances program. Megacystis Syndrome is a severe condition that impairs the functioning of the bladder and intestines. This syndrome mimics a physical obstruction of the intestine, causing partially digested food material to be blocked inside the intestine. This can cause symptoms that…
The United States Census Bureau recently came out with a report on the uninsured rate in each state in America in 2017. Georgia’s uninsured rate ranked the 4th highest in America, with 13.4% of Georgians lacking insurance in 2017. This was a slight increase from 2016 when 12.9% of Georgians were uninsured. Georgia only trailed behind Texas, Oklahoma, and Alaska. Nationally,…
On September 12, 2018, the U.S. Census Bureau released a report on poverty and earnings in America, emphasizing the major issues facing many Americans. The data showed that 39.7 million Americans lived in poverty in 2017, comprising 12.3% of all Americans, down 0.4% from 12.7% in 2016. The report also showed that the U.S. poverty rate has decreased since 2010,…
The Social Security Board of Trustees recently released their report for 2018. The report has few surprises for disability benefits attorneys–it predicts a 75-year deficit of 2.84% of payroll and that the trust fund will be depleted by 2034. However, the report released in June 2018 also estimates that disability rolls are dropping and will continue to decline in the future.…
The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides disability beneficiaries a number of tools to help them take charge of their benefits, including the Social Security Disability Calculator. This detailed calculator can be used not just to determine past benefits you received but also to estimate the benefits that you may be eligible for in the future. This calculator is available in…