Clueless About Disability

Baby boomers are in the dark about public disability income programs such as Social Security disability insurance and worker's compensation, according to a recent survey by America's Health Insurance Plans of Washington.

Nearly half of the 827 respondents said they believed incorrectly that a working adult would qualify for SSDI benefits if he or she were unable to work at their current job but could still work at another job that paid less.

More than a third said they thought that a worker would qualify for SSDI benefits if he or she could work no more than 20 hours a week, and one in four said they didn't know what the qualifications were.

In reality, workers are eligible for SSDI benefits only if they are unable to do any work for which they would earn $1,000 or more a month.

Just one in five correctly estimated the average monthly SSDI benefit for a disabled worker to be about $1,000 a month. Eighteen percent overestimated the benefit, and 43% said they didn't know.

The survey also assessed the boomers' knowledge of the length of time it takes to receive SSDI benefits.

Thirty-four percent estimated the length of time to be shorter than it generally was, and 35% said they didn't know. The average length of time it takes for a person who files a SSDI claim to be accepted or denied is more than 17 months.

"Baby boomers know very little about the public disability safety net available for workers who suffer a disability," Humphrey Taylor, chairman of the Harris Poll, said in a statement.

Thirty-six percent didn't know how much of their income workers' compensation benefits would replace, and one in five overestimated benefits. Just 24% knew that workers' compensation replaces two-thirds of a worker's pre-disability income.

Original article located on www.investmentnews.com

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Allsup Adds Financial Planning and Healthcare Information Services to Expand Solutions for Individuals with Disabilities

BELLEVILLE, Ill. - (Business Wire) More than 8.9 million individuals with disabilities and their families rely on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) as a key source of income. That’s nearly 700,000 more than the population of New York City.

For these people, disability is a life-altering event that often has a significant impact on their financial situations. In response, Allsup is introducing a series of new financial and healthcare-related services for people with disabilities to complement the nationwide SSDI representation services it has been offering for nearly 25 years.

“Without ongoing, experienced support from the outset, the financial well-being of individuals with disabilities too often falls through the cracks,” said Paul Gada, Allsup’s personal financial planning director. “We designed our new services to deliver true help from the start. Allsup wants to help people not only efficiently navigate the SSDI process, but also establish sound financial plans and manage their healthcare costs and options.”

The first service to launch is Financial Matters, a free online information portal specifically designed to help individuals with disabilities better manage their personal finances. Allsup will introduce other services over the next several months, including customized Medicare analysis solutions to help individuals evaluate and choose the best Medicare options for their specific situation, and custom financial planning services.

Free Financial Matters Portal: Informative, Useful Planning Resources for Today and the Future

The new Financial Matters portal provides specific, easy-to-understand information on:

• Financial planning, including budgeting, cash flow and expense management considerations for individuals with disabilities.
• Managing healthcare costs, including detailed discussions of COBRA, Medicare, drug assistance programs and other sources for helping to reduce healthcare costs.
• Managing taxes, including information on the tax treatment of SSDI payments, tax credits for low-income individuals and tax-filing assistance resources.

Among the real-world issues addressed by Financial Matters are the dangers in using home equity loans, second mortgages and reverse mortgages as sources of income. This is particularly important for people with disabilities to understand because a significant number of all mortgage foreclosures are the result of injury, illness or high medical bills.

“In most states, a person’s home is protected if he is forced into bankruptcy, but if he took out a mortgage, that amount can be lost in the bankruptcy proceedings,” Gada explained, adding that the portal details other income alternatives individuals may want to evaluate.

Financial Matters also helps people navigate the complex world of Medicare options. An overall comparison of the various programs is available and a detailed discussion is provided about Medicare Advantage plans. These often are the more suitable option for those with disabilities because they tend to offer more coverage at a lower out-of-pocket cost.

Financial planning calculators, resource links, checklists and highlighted tip boxes all help present the information in a more user-friendly way. The site also includes a comprehensive section on the SSDI process. Allsup will regularly add more sections and content to the site to better support the financial planning needs of consumers with disabilities.

“Addressing the physical and emotional issues related to a disability are significant hurdles,” Gada continued. “Compounding this, most individuals find themselves in a bureaucratic world where they don’t speak the language and there are no clear guide posts. Often, they are passed from one organization to the next without getting answers. We are focused on stepping in and using our experience to help people with disabilities understand important financial and healthcare issues. We want to help them take control and reclaim their lives.”

Original posted located on www.earthtimes.org

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New Data Shows Continued Growth of Long-Term Disability Claims and Decline in Social Security Disability Insurance Applications Approval Rate

Council for Disability Awareness Releases its 2007 Claims Review from Leading Insurance Companies and Social Security Administration Data

PORTLAND, Maine, May 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Data from the annual Long-Term Disability Claims Review released today by the Council for Disability Awareness (CDA) reveals the continued growth of serious disabilities among the U.S. working population. Over the last ten years, the number of U.S. workers with long-term disabilities has grown four times the growth of workers in the U.S. workforce. The Review also found that a growing number of female and younger workers are experiencing serious disabilities that are impacting their ability to work. Most disabilities continue to be caused by off-the-job accidents and illnesses.

The 2007 CDA Long-Term Disability Claims Review, the third annual review of long-term disability claim trends among the U.S. working population, includes primary data from the annual CDA member company long-term disability claims survey and analyzes selected worker disability data from the SSDI program.

According to this year's review, more than 560,000 individuals received long-term disability insurance payments from CDA member companies in 2007, resulting in claim payments in excess of $7.7 billion - a 7 percent increase in payments made in 2006.

The review also shows that in last year 7.1 million disabled workers received payments from the Social Security Disability Insurance program totaling $91.3 billion - a 4.3 percent increase over payments made in 2006 and more than double the SSDI payments to disabled workers just 10 years ago.

The number of workers applying for SSDI disability payments increased to 2.2 million in 2007, 2.6% more that in 2006, while the number of disabled workers approved for payments declined to 37.6 percent, the lowest approval rate in the history of the program. Despite the increase in monthly SSDI payments, now averaging $1004 per worker, payments are less reliable and have not kept pace with the growing financial needs of disabled workers, putting the financial security of workers and their dependents at greater risk.

"The CDA Claim Review shows that it is critical and urgent for American workers and their families to become aware of the growing instances of disability and to prepare for the financial consequences," explained Robert Taylor, president of CDA. "Our data also shows that accountability for personal financial security continues to shift away from trusted sources like social programs and employers to the individual."

Working women and younger employees are more vulnerable to serious accidents and illnesses that can impact their ability to earn a living. The growth in the rate of serious disability for working women is twice the growth rate of working men and younger workers, in their 20s, 30s and 40s are experiencing serious disabilities.

According to the review, the leading cause of long-term disability insurance claims continues to be musculoskeletal/connective tissue disorders - accounting for almost one-quarter of all new and existing claims. Cancer and cardiovascular/circulatory problems remained the second and third most common causes of new disability claims. Accidents and injuries remain the fastest growing causes of new as well as existing claims.

"It's important that Americans recognize the growing threat that disability can pose to their financial security," explains Taylor. "With this annual survey, CDA continues to expand the public dialogue that will raise the necessary awareness level on this critical issue."

About the 2007 CDA Long-Term Disability Claims Review

CDA conducts an annual review of long-term disability claims among the U.S. working population to determine continuing or emerging trends. The 2007 Long-Term Disability Claims Review includes 2007 long-term disability insurance claims data supplied by CDA member companies and an analysis of the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program 2007 Annual Statistical Supplement.

About the Council for Disability Awareness

The Council for Disability Awareness (CDA) is a non-profit group dedicated to helping the American workforce become aware of the growing likelihood of disability and its financial consequences. The CDA engages in communications, research and educational activities that provide information and helpful resources to wage earners, their families, the media, employers and others who are concerned about disability and the impact it can have on wage earners and their families. For more information about the CDA, visit: www.disabilitycanhappen.org.

Original posted located on prnewswire.com

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Expect delayed response from Social Security Administration

By Vicki Lee Parker
McClatchy Newspapers

Every day this year, about 10,000 baby boomers turn 62.

Many will have questions about their Social Security benefits, but few will likely get answers — at least not quickly.

The Social Security Administration’s has reduced its staffing by more than 5 percent since 2003, to about 60,000.

That means seniors such as Early L. Graham of Raleigh, N.C., have dealt with long hold times and promises of call backs that never come.

“I had to call three different numbers before I got anyone on the phone,” Graham said.

Brian Simpson, a spokesman at the Social Security office in Raleigh, said he hears similar complaints all the time.

Trying to handle customer demand with fewer employees, the agency has shifted some workers away from phone lines to front desks to assist walk-in clients.

Graham, 64, said he has tried for more than a year to resolve a complicated issue regarding his Social Security payments. On the rare occasions when he has gotten someone on the phone, he has had to explain his situation from the beginning.

Graham finally started keeping track of the people he spoke with, which has helped somewhat. Still, many of his questions remain unanswered.

If you are a baby boomer or the child of one, it’s just a matter of time before you will have to contact the Social Security Administration. Brace yourself.

Here are tips that can help:

- Go online. Over the last few years, the administration has built up its Web site (www.ssa.gov), Simpson said. You can apply for benefits, calculate benefits, report a death and process a name change after a marriage or divorce. The site also has answers to frequently asked questions.

- Do business in person. Consider making the trip to your local office. The chances of being helped are much better in person than by phone.

- Follow up. If your case requires a follow-up visit or call, there are a several things you should do to make sure you don’t get lost in the system.

Always get the name of the person who is helping you. And make sure you make note of your claim number or application number. That is usually your Social Security number, followed by a letter. Also, get the name of the person who will be assigned to your case.

- Get help. It’s possible to have a family member or caregiver talk with a SSA representative on your behalf. However, the SSA has to verify that you have agreed to let that person represent you, Simpson said. You can do this by phone, or you can download a form on the Web site (www.ssa.gov/representation/, then click on the “Appointment of Representation” form near the bottom of the page).

- Get legal help. If the problem is complicated, you are entitled to have legal help in dealing with the Social Security Administration. The agency even caps the amount a lawyer can charge a client when the case involves a Social Security claim.

You can also try local advocacy agencies such as a group home or homeless shelter, where employees have experience in helping people navigate the administration.

- Get congressional help. Your elected officials in Washington have people on staff to assist constituents with such problems. They typically have established contacts at the SSA and can get matters resolved more quickly.

Another benefit to calling lawmakers: It makes them more aware of problems, and perhaps they will fight to increase the SSA’s budget. The more money the SSA gets, the more likely that someone will be available to take your call.

Original article located at Pantagraph.com

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Obama's Social Security Plan: Some Will Pay More

By Susan Jones
CNSNews.com Senior Editor
May 19, 2008

(CNSNews.com) - It's an election year, and the politicians are once again talking about Social Security.

"The American dream feels like it's slipping away," Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) said on Sunday, because "it's harder for people to save and it's harder for people to retire."

Speaking to group of senior citizens in Gresham, Oregon, the man who expects to be the Democratic presidential nominee raised the thorny Social Security issue. He criticized the George Bush/John McCain plan and offered one of his own.

Obama wants higher earners to pay more into the system -- to "protect" senior citizens "who have earned the right to retire with dignity."

"A secure retirement is no longer a guarantee for the middle class," he said -- "because Washington is not working to preserve this fundamental part of the American dream."

Invoking "the promise that FDR made," Obama said that when he's president, he will "fight every single day" to protect Social Security, which is coming under increasing strain as more Baby Boomers retire.

First, Obama said he would "preserve the Social Security Trust Fund" -- by not spending money raised through payroll taxes on other things. He said he would make sure that "money that's coming in for Social Security stays for Social Security." (Al Gore proposed a similar "lock-box" policy when he was running for president.)

Unlike Sen. John McCain, Obama said he believes that privatizing Social Security is a "bad idea," and "I won't stand for it as president."

Last week, McCain said he would "fix" Social Security without reducing benefits to people approaching retirement. McCain's proposed reforms include "some form of personal retirement accounts in safe and reliable index funds," a plan modeled after the one available to government employees.

Obama said he would adjust the cap on payroll taxes "so that people like me who make more than $102,000 have to pay a little bit more, and the people who are in need are protected." He said his plan would include an adjustment so the change doesn't hit middle-class Americans who make "just a little bit over $102,000."

Obama also said he would eliminate income taxes on any retiree making less than 50,000 a year. "If your income is less than $50,000 a year, I don't think you should have to pay income tax on your Social Security. This would completely eliminate income taxes for 7 million seniors across the country and provide a savings of approx $1,400 per person each year."

Invoking the "outrage of CEOs cashing out while workers lose their pensions," Obama said he would put pension protection at the top of his priority list.

He complained about bankruptcy laws "that are more focused on protecting banks than on protecting pensions." As president, he said he would limit the circumstances under which retirement benefits can be cut -- and increase the wages and benefits that workers can claim in bankruptcy court.

Finally, Obama said he would encourage personal savings.

He favors "automatic workplace pensions," in which employers provide a direct deposit of a small percentage of each paycheck into a worker's account. "You can add to it or you can opt out of it at any time," he said, adding that "employers would have an easy opportunity to match workers' savings."

Obama said the message from President George Bush and Sen. John McCain is, "You're in this alone," whereas he believes "we're all in this together."

President Bush has been pressing for Social Security reform since his first presidential campaign in 2000, but congressional Democrats have rebuffed him again and again.

Original Article located on Cybercast News Service

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Most Americans Are Financially Unprepared for Job Disrupting Disabilities

Most Americans Are Financially Unprepared for Job Disrupting Disabilities

Written by U.S. Insurance News

Monday, 19 May 2008

Two new surveys show that Americans are poorly prepared to handle the financial fallout of a disability. Should they suffer a disability, most baby boomers say they are financially unprepared, according to a new survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP). In fact, they would struggle to pay bills and many would have to rely on their retirement savings. The formula creating this potential disaster is simple, according to Karen Ignagni, president and CEO of AHIP. “Baby boomers have too much debt and not enough savings to weather even a short-term disability,” Ignagni said. The survey determined how financially prepared boomers would be if the primary wage earner in their household became disabled and was unable to work for an extended amount of time. Fifty-five percent said they are not at all or somewhat unprepared, while only 15 percent said they are very or extremely prepared should a disability occur. Boomers were also asked how long they could go without their primary wage earner’s income before they had difficulty paying all their bills. Sixty-four percent would have difficulty within the first year, 49 percent would have difficulty in the first six months, and 33 percent would have difficulty paying all their bills in just the first three months. Most boomers said they would have difficulty making their mortgage payments, car payments, credit card payments, and/or supporting dependents within the first year. Thirty-two percent of boomers said they would have to tap into their retirement savings if the primary wage earner in their household became disabled, and 17 percent admitted they do not have a retirement savings to draw upon. Compounding the problem is that most boomers have a significant amount of non-mortgage financial burdens, such as credit card debt and auto or education loans. Fifty-two percent have more than $5,000 in non-mortgage debt, 25 percent have more than $20,000 in debt, and nine percent have debt of more than $50,000. One obvious solution is the protection provided by disability insurance. But many Americans don’t enjoy that security. A survey released by the nonprofit LIFE (Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education) Foundation shows that nearly 80 percent of working Americans say they would turn to their employer or the government for financial support in the event of a disabling illness or injury, rather than disability insurance purchased on their own. “Most people have a false sense of security when it comes to being financially prepared for a long-term disability,” said Matthew S. Tassey, former chair of the LIFE Foundation. “The reality is the majority of workers do not have disability coverage through work, and disability benefits offered by the government, such as Social Security or Workers’ Compensation, can be difficult to qualify for.” The LIFE survey asked 520 working adult Americans (employed either full- or part-time) which source of financial support they would rely on most if they were to become disabled for one year or more: 35 percent said they would count on employer-sponsored disability insurance coverage if they were to become disabled for a year or more. While coverage provided by employers is the main source of disability income protection in the United States, most employers don’t provide disability insurance as an employee benefit. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, less than 30 percent of U.S. workers have access to long-term disability coverage through work, and only about 37 percent have access to short-term disability coverage. 31 percent said they would rely on government-provided benefits, but those aren’t easy to get. According to the Social Security Administration, roughly 60 percent of people who applied for Social Security disability benefits in 2005 were initially denied. To those who are declared eligible, Social Security pays just a little more than $1,000 a month. 13 percent said they would turn to Workers’ Compensation, but that covers only those who get injured, ill, or die as a result of their job—and only 10 percent of disabilities occur on the job. 11 percent said they would rely on disability insurance they had purchased on their own. Nearly one-third of workers will suffer a disability that keeps them out of work for 90 days or longer at some point in their career. Despite that fact, only 6 million individual disability insurance policies are in force for a U.S. workforce of more than 146 million.

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Baby Boomers Still Misunderstand Disability Income

Original Link: Baby Boomers Still Misunderstand Disability Income (from: ohsonline.com)

Posted: May 7, 2008

According to a new survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of America's Health Insurance Plans, most baby boomers overestimate the breadth and depth of the public safety net available for workers who suffer a disability, believing public programs provide disability benefits to more people than they actually do and overestimating the amount of benefits available.

The survey assessed boomers' knowledge about public disability income programs, such as Social Security Disability Insurance and Worker's Compensation. Nearly half of boomers surveyed believe incorrectly that a working adult would qualify for SSDI benefits if he or she were unable to work at their current job, but could still work at another job that pays less money. More than a third of baby boomers believe a worker is qualified if he or she can work no more than twenty hours a week, and one in four say they do not know what the qualifications are. In reality, workers are eligible for SSDI benefits only if they are unable to do any work for which they would earn $1,000 or more per month.

"Baby boomers believe they have more disability income protection than they actually do, giving them a false sense of security against the financial risks of disability," AHIP President and CEO Karen Ignagni. Humphrey Taylor, chairman of the Harris Poll, seconded that thought, saying, "Baby boomers know very little about the public disability safety net available for workers who suffer a disability."

Only one in five boomers correctly estimated the average monthly SSDI benefit for a disabled worker to be about $1,000 a month. Eighteen percent overestimated the benefit and a significant number of those surveyed (43 percent) said they did not know how much the average monthly SSDI benefit was. While a majority of boomers (60 percent) accurately stated that job-related illnesses and injuries are qualifications for worker's compensation, many incorrectly believe this coverage is also available to individuals who suffer a disability in other situations. Many of those surveyed said they believe people can qualify for worker's comp benefits if they suffer a disability that prevents them from working at their previous job (26 percent), forces them to work at a job that pays less than their current job (10 percent), or if they can only work part-time (9 percent).

Thirty-six percent of boomers did not know how much of their current income worker's comp benefits would replace, and one in five overestimated benefits. Only 24 percent of boomers accurately stated that worker's compensation replaces two-thirds of a worker's pre-disability income.

The survey also assessed baby boomers knowledge of the length of time it takes to receive SSDI benefits. Thirty-four percent estimated that the length of time to receive benefits was shorter than it generally is, and more than a third (35 percent) said they didn't know how long the process takes. The average length of time it takes for a person who files a SSDI claim to be accepted or denied, including any appeals, is approximately 500 days, or more than 17 months. A memo outlining the survey findings is available at www.ahip.org/content/default.aspx?docid=23188, and the survey questionnaire can be found at www.ahip.org/content/default.aspx?docid=23187.

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Drug firms might be able to help

From: Drug firms might be able to help (hometownannapolis.com)

Published May 11, 2008

My husband has been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease. He has been prescribed a very expensive medication. We are not eligible for Medicare because we are resident aliens who haven't lived in the United States for five years yet. Is there any way we can get help to purchase this prescription drug?

It is possible that you can get some assistance from the pharmaceutical company that manufactures the drug. All major drug companies offer a patient assistance program to provide certain medications at low or no cost, making it possible for patients who cannot afford specific medications to get them. Each company has different eligibility and application requirements, and you must apply personally through the drug company that produces the medication.

There are many sources to help you find out how to apply for medication assistance. First you must know what company produces the drug. Then you can go to www.rxassist.org on the Web and research that pharmaceutical company's guidelines to see if your husband's specific drug is offered through a program.

If you need further assistance, call the Senior Health Insurance Program at 410-222-4464.

I have received Social Security Disability (SSDI) payments for several years. Because of my limited income, I am on Medicaid.

Now my doctor has said that even though I still suffer from a chronic condition, I can go back to work, and I have found a job that I can manage. However, my earnings together with my SSDI will make me ineligible for Medicaid, which is my only health insurance coverage.

I haven't been disabled long enough to get Medicare benefits. Is there any insurance I can get that will be affordable for me? I really want to go back to work.

The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has a program called Employed Individuals with Disabilities (EID) that will allow eligible Maryland citizens with disabilities to work and to pay a small fee to receive health care coverage through Medicaid.

EID is a work incentive program that provides for people who are disabled and have been approved for SSDI or SSI, are U.S. citizens or qualified aliens aged 18 to 64, are working for pay and meet the income and asset eligibility guidelines for the program. Individuals who lose their SSDI benefit due to earned income are also eligible.

EID provides full fee-for-service Medicaid coverage and wraparound services for those with other health insurance or Medicare. Eligible individuals buy in to the program with a $75 enrollment fee for six months of coverage, and every six months the coverage can be renewed for $75. For details, call 800-637-4113.

Susan Knight is a senior health insurance consultant. If you have questions about the information in this column, contact the county's Senior Health Insurance Program at the Department of Aging and Disabilities at 410-222-4464 or ship_program@aacounty.org.

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Decline in Social Security Disability Insurance Application Approvals

Council for Disability Awareness Releases its 2007 Claims Review from Leading Insurance Companies and Social Security Administration Data

PORTLAND, Maine, May 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Data from the annual Long-Term Disability Claims Review released today by the Council for Disability Awareness (CDA) reveals the continued growth of serious disabilities among the U.S. working population. Over the last ten years, the number of U.S. workers with long-term disabilities has grown four times the growth of workers in the U.S. workforce. The Review also found that a growing number of female and younger workers are experiencing serious disabilities that are impacting their ability to work. Most disabilities continue to be caused by off-the-job accidents and illnesses.

The 2007 CDA Long-Term Disability Claims Review, the third annual review of long-term disability claim trends among the U.S. working population, includes primary data from the annual CDA member company long-term disability claims survey and analyzes selected worker disability data from the SSDI program.

According to this year's review, more than 560,000 individuals received long-term disability insurance payments from CDA member companies in 2007, resulting in claim payments in excess of $7.7 billion - a 7 percent increase in payments made in 2006.

The review also shows that in last year 7.1 million disabled workers received payments from the Social Security Disability Insurance program totaling $91.3 billion - a 4.3 percent increase over payments made in 2006 and more than double the SSDI payments to disabled workers just 10 years ago.

The number of workers applying for SSDI disability payments increased to 2.2 million in 2007, 2.6% more that in 2006, while the number of disabled workers approved for payments declined to 37.6 percent, the lowest approval rate in the history of the program. Despite the increase in monthly SSDI payments, now averaging $1004 per worker, payments are less reliable and have not kept pace with the growing financial needs of disabled workers, putting the financial security of workers and their dependents at greater risk.

"The CDA Claim Review shows that it is critical and urgent for American workers and their families to become aware of the growing instances of disability and to prepare for the financial consequences," explained Robert Taylor, president of CDA. "Our data also shows that accountability for personal financial security continues to shift away from trusted sources like social programs and employers to the individual."

Working women and younger employees are more vulnerable to serious accidents and illnesses that can impact their ability to earn a living. The growth in the rate of serious disability for working women is twice the growth rate of working men and younger workers, in their 20s, 30s and 40s are experiencing serious disabilities.

According to the review, the leading cause of long-term disability insurance claims continues to be musculoskeletal/connective tissue disorders - accounting for almost one-quarter of all new and existing claims. Cancer and cardiovascular/circulatory problems remained the second and third most common causes of new disability claims. Accidents and injuries remain the fastest growing causes of new as well as existing claims.

"It's important that Americans recognize the growing threat that disability can pose to their financial security," explains Taylor. "With this annual survey, CDA continues to expand the public dialogue that will raise the necessary awareness level on this critical issue."

About the 2007 CDA Long-Term Disability Claims Review

CDA conducts an annual review of long-term disability claims among the U.S. working population to determine continuing or emerging trends. The 2007 Long-Term Disability Claims Review includes 2007 long-term disability insurance claims data supplied by CDA member companies and an analysis of the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program 2007 Annual Statistical Supplement.

About the Council for Disability Awareness

The Council for Disability Awareness (CDA) is a non-profit group dedicated to helping the American workforce become aware of the growing likelihood of disability and its financial consequences. The CDA engages in communications, research and educational activities that provide information and helpful resources to wage earners, their families, the media, employers and others who are concerned about disability and the impact it can have on wage earners and their families. For more information about the CDA, visit: www.disabilitycanhappen.org.

Website: http://www.disabilitycanhappen.org/

Read the full story: New Data Shows Continued Growth of Long-Term Disability Claims and Decline in Social Security Disability Insurance Applications Approval Rate

Disability Lawyer Blog: Links & Free Case Evaluation

Click to Ask a Question from a:
Social Security Disability Attorney

Free Disability Case Evaluation from a:
Social Security Disability Lawyer

Resources: Looking for Additional Social Security Disability information?

• Need to apply for Social Security Disability?
• Have you been denied Social Security Disability?
• Do you want to appeal a Social Security Disability case?

www.NationalDisabilityLawyer.com

1-800-507-4774

NationalDisabilityLawyer.com is a website with SSDI and SSI Disability information. Learn more about disability cases, how to apply for disability and how to appeal a denied Social Security Disability case.

Neuropathy qualify for SSI & SSDI

Neuropathy, in particular peripheral neuropathy is a condition that can help qualify for neuropathy SSI disability and SSDI benefits.

This condition is typically associated with a diabetes Social Security disability. Other symptoms that can be associated with a diabetes SSDI disability and diabetes SSI disability are:
- pain and numbness in the hands
- pain and numbness in the feet
- ulcers that will not heal
- infections
- retinopathy
- kidney failure
- blindness

As terrible as the above can be, proving your case to Social Security can be difficult. Too often cases that seem "obvious" are not accepted because the proper documentation is not presented. Whether you are initially applying for Social Security Disability benefits, or your have been denied and are appealing a Neuropathy Social Security Disability Lawyer or Neuropathy Social Security Disability Attorney can help.

The below links can help put you in contact with a Social Security lawyer for a free case evaluation. You can call call the below 1-800 number for further assistance.

Disability Lawyer Blog: Links & Free Case Evaluation

Click to Ask a Question from a:
Social Security Disability Attorney

Free Disability Case Evaluation from a:
Social Security Disability Lawyer

Resources: Looking for Additional Social Security Disability information?

• Need to apply for Social Security Disability?
• Have you been denied Social Security Disability?
• Do you want to appeal a Social Security Disability case?

www.NationalDisabilityLawyer.com

1-800-507-4774

NationalDisabilityLawyer.com is a website with SSDI and SSI Disability information. Learn more about disability cases, how to apply for disability and how to appeal a denied Social Security Disability case.

COPD disability for SSI and SSDI

COPD (Cardiac Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is a condition that is difficult for suffers. Before you consider seeking legal advice for a SSI Disability or SSDI case, ensure you are seeing your doctor on a regular basis as recommended. It is important to talk to your Cardiac Obstructive Pulmonary Disease condition.

COPD Symptoms and Social Security Disability:
Make sure you are describing your chest pain to your COPD doctor. Also, make sure you are talking about how long your must rest to recover. This information is critical to document to win a COPD disability case.

COPD Social Security Lawyer:
Click on the COPD Social Security Lawyer link to learn more information about Cardiac Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and how a Social Security lawyer can help. Also, in the below text is a free case evaluation form you can submit and a 1-800 number for you to call.

Disability Lawyer Blog: Links & Free Case Evaluation

Click to Ask a Question from a:
Social Security Disability Attorney

Free Disability Case Evaluation from a:
Social Security Disability Lawyer

Resources: Looking for Additional Social Security Disability information?

• Need to apply for Social Security Disability?
• Have you been denied Social Security Disability?
• Do you want to appeal a Social Security Disability case?

www.NationalDisabilityLawyer.com

1-800-507-4774

NationalDisabilityLawyer.com is a website with SSDI and SSI Disability information. Learn more about disability cases, how to apply for disability and how to appeal a denied Social Security Disability case.

DailyLocal.com: ‘Medicaid-opoly’: Here are the answers

Here are some true/false answers for Medicaid in a game called Medicaid-opoly. Click the link to see the full article.

1. Question: Medicaid is only available to people 65 years old and older.
- False

2. Question: Medicaid benefits can be received in the home under certain circumstances.
- True

3. Question: All states in the U.S. have the same Medicaid rules because Medicaid is a federal program.
- False

4. Question: If a recipient is receiving benefits under Medicaid in Pennsylvania and moves to another state, she does not have to reapply for benefits because benefits follow her to the other state.
- False

5. Question: All people receiving SSI (Supplemental Security Income) in Pennsylvania also receive Medicaid.
- True

6. Question: Only government operated nursing homes accept Medicaid as payment for care.
- False

Disability Lawyer Blog: Links & Free Case Evaluation

Click to Ask a Question from a:
Social Security Disability Attorney

Free Disability Case Evaluation from a:
Social Security Disability Lawyer

Resources: Looking for Additional Social Security Disability information?

• Need to apply for Social Security Disability?
• Have you been denied Social Security Disability?
• Do you want to appeal a Social Security Disability case?

www.NationalDisabilityLawyer.com

1-800-507-4774

NationalDisabilityLawyer.com is a website with SSDI and SSI Disability information. Learn more about disability cases, how to apply for disability and how to appeal a denied Social Security Disability case.

Blumenauer Grills SSA Commissioner on Disability Backlogs

I came across this post on tradingmarkets.com. It reports the Portland SSA Field Office among the worst in the country. Recently Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore), a member of the Committee on Ways and Means, questioned Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner Michael Astrue about the SSA disability backlog.

"Our nation is facing a serious problem with Social Security," said Congressman Blumenauer. "In Oregon, where the Portland field office ranks among the worst in the nation, people are waiting an average of 705 days for their claims to be processed. This is also a national problem, with Americans waiting an average of 500 days for their disability claims to be processed. Responding to these claims is often a matter of life or death, and it is mind boggling that the Bush administration has hindered the ability of SSA to do its job and protect our citizens. As baby boomers come of age, we need to properly fund the Social Security Administration to fix these backlogs and prevent future breakdowns."

Disability Lawyer Blog: Links & Free Case Evaluation

Click to Ask a Question from a:
Social Security Disability Attorney

Free Disability Case Evaluation from a:
Social Security Disability Lawyer

Resources: Looking for Additional Social Security Disability information?

• Need to apply for Social Security Disability?
• Have you been denied Social Security Disability?
• Do you want to appeal a Social Security Disability case?

www.NationalDisabilityLawyer.com

1-800-507-4774

NationalDisabilityLawyer.com is a website with SSDI and SSI Disability information. Learn more about disability cases, how to apply for disability and how to appeal a denied Social Security Disability case.

Federal Disability Agencies Create New Site

I came across this article lufkindailynews.com. A total of 21 federal agencies have banded together to create a .gov site for people with disabilities. The new site, www.disabilityinfo.gov provides important information to people with disabilities.

The website has information about:

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities
• Job Accommodations
• Social Security Disability Benefits
• Vocational Rehabilitation

Disability Lawyer Blog: Links & Free Case Evaluation

Click to Ask a Question from a:
Social Security Disability Attorney

Free Disability Case Evaluation from a:
Social Security Disability Lawyer

Resources: Looking for Additional Social Security Disability information?

• Need to apply for Social Security Disability?
• Have you been denied Social Security Disability?
• Do you want to appeal a Social Security Disability case?

www.NationalDisabilityLawyer.com

1-800-507-4774

NationalDisabilityLawyer.com is a website with SSDI and SSI Disability information. Learn more about disability cases, how to apply for disability and how to appeal a denied Social Security Disability case.