In addition to having to reintegrate after deployment, many veterans will return with catastrophic injuries, including amputation, paralysis, burns, and other disabilities. For some, the damage will be psychological, resulting in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Social Security Administration (SSA) has created an expedited process to help veterans recover benefits…
In February of 2013, Congress introduced the ABLE act. ABLE stands for The Achieve a Better Life Experience Act. The Act had more than 400 co-sponsors in the House and the Senate, and disability advocates spoke out in favor of it. Unfortunately, the Congressional session ended last year before the…
When an application for disability benefits is denied, there are several different stages of appeal for which a Boston disability benefits attorney can apply. The first step is to put in a request for reconsideration and have your claim reviewed again. Unfortunately, if this is unsuccessful, you will need to…
In 2012, nine million disabled individuals in the United States received around $120 billion in federal disability benefits through Social Security Disability (SSD). The large expenditures have led to calls for reform of the SSD system, but it is important to realize that spending was not uniform across the United…
Applying for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits can be a complicated process because more than half of all claims are initially denied. This leaves workers going through a four stage appeals process, which begins with a request for review and then progresses to a disability benefits hearing. Appealing a benefits…
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a benefits program that is based on work-history and thus provides income to a disabled person in an amount determined by wages earned over his working life. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is another disability benefits program that is means tested and intended for lower…
The unemployment rate for the disabled is much higher than for those who do not have an impairing conditions, and has largely remained unchanged over the past five years. The unemployment rate for people with disabilities stands at 14.3 percent as compared to 6.8 percent for those who are not…
Advocates who are concerned about the disabled were relived when news broke that President Barack Obama’s 2015 proposed budget no longer included a provision for chained CPI for Social Security disability benefits. Chained CPI would have altered the way that the cost-of-living adjustments were made to determine how much someone…
While strokes are uncommon for those under the age of 50, they are becoming a leading cause of disability and debilitation. Individuals who suffer from a stroke may be unable to speak or write, lose mobility, and suffer from facial paralysis. According to recent reports, nearly 30% of stroke suffers…
Mental illness can create significant hardship for individuals who are trying to maintain a normal job and life, even when on medication. While many of these workers will struggle to meet expectations, certain issues may make punching the clock difficult, or even impossible. In addition to the difficulties with maintaining…