Everyday People Matter
On October 10, the world marked Mental Health Awareness Day to raise awareness about the different types of mental conditions, many of which go undiagnosed for years. If you suffer from a mental health condition, you may be eligible for disability benefits under the Social Security Disability program. Mental disorders most typically involved in disability claims are bipolar disorder, depression,…
A popular misconception is that type 2 diabetes is a disease that affects only older persons. This is increasingly being proven false by strong evidence. Data indicates that the number of teens and young adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes is increasing. As many as 1 in 8 new diagnoses of type 2 diabetes now involve persons between the age…
Today, October 6, is World Cerebral Palsy Day, reminding us of the challenges facing over 17 million people impacted by this disorder. Most individuals with cerebral palsy are diagnosed at birth, although some infants are diagnosed a few months after birth. There is no cure for cerebral palsy, and it is a lifelong disability. Some individuals with cerebral palsy can…
The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently announced the addition of several conditions to its Compassionate Allowances programs. This program allows persons with certain medical conditions that are deemed to be very severe attention to have their claims processed faster. The processing time for a claim is typically reduced by several months. Claims that fall under Compassionate Allowances have access to the…
The Social Security Administration recently issued a ruling that clarifies the evaluation criteria for primary headache disorders. SSR 19-4 p explains the meaning of primary headache disorders, a broad category of disorders that includes migraines. It also clarifies the typical diagnostic procedures that are used to determine the existence of these conditions. The ruling also outlines the criteria that the…
The process of applying for Social Security disability benefits is long and tedious, and it can be months before your claim is processed. There are always thousands of Social Security disability cases pending hearing before administrative law judges. Social Security disability claimants in the metro Atlanta area can visit either the Downtown Atlanta office or the North Atlanta office. As of…
Colostomies are performed in some cases of colon cancer, or severe cases of gastrointestinal illness or Irritable Bowel Syndrome. After a colostomy, stools are no longer emptied through the rectum and the anus. Instead, they are passed into the colostomy bag or pouch which must be replaced 2 to 3 times a day. A colostomy can be the very last…
A bill that has recently been introduced in Congress aims to do away with the 5-month waiting period that mandatorily applies to Social Security disability claimants whose claims have been approved. Even after a Social Security disability applicant’s claim is approved, he must wait 5 months before he starts receiving his benefits. If the person also qualifies for Medicare befits,…
For individuals with disabilities able to work, there are often many obstacles to being employed. With an unemployment rate of 3.7% for the general population, the rate for those with disabilities is 6.3%. However, some companies are working hard to reverse this troubling statistic, including Microsoft, Walgreens, and Voya. These companies are reviewing their hiring procedures to incorporate best practices…
Vaccinations are critical to maintaining a healthy population and have saved millions of lives. Their immediate benefits include providing long-term protection against some infectious diseases. They train the body how to identify pathogens they may come in contact with and fight against them by creating antibodies. Vaccinations directly protect against diseases that were once deadly, including polio, measles, tetanus, and…