Articles Posted in Social Security Disability Insurance

The Social Security Disability (SSD) system has come under heavy attacks in recent months as politicians and think tanks argue that the system is becoming overloaded and rife with fraud. Recently, however, a spokesperson from the AARP offered a different perspective. The AARP spokesperson defended the Social Security disability system, portraying it as what it actually is: family protection, rather than a welfare program for those who don’t want to work.

Boston Social Security disability lawyers know that there are many efforts underway to limit or even reduce Social Security Disability benefits, including a suggestion that the cost-of-living adjustments be changed to a formula called Chained CPI that would, in effect, be a cut in benefits. There have also been crackdowns on alleged fraud in the SSD system and efforts to make changes that will make it even harder than it already is to qualify for disability benefits through the Social Security Disability program. These cuts are justified through false claims that people just apply for the program to avoid work, when the argument that the SSDI system really is a family benefit is much closer to the actual truth.
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The Affordable Care Act, also called Obamacare, is going to be in full effect beginning January 1, 2014. This means that individuals, including those with pre-existing conditions, are now able to obtain insurance coverage by shopping at a federal or state health insurance exchange. It also means that the Affordable Care Act individual mandate is in place, requiring everyone to have insurance or pay a penalty of $95 unless they fall within a limited exception.

The Affordable Care Act has opened the door to universal healthcare in the United States, but many people, especially those with lower incomes who live in states that have not expanded Medicaid, are concerned about how they will obtain insurance coverage or whether they will become responsible for paying a penalty. For those who are disabled, however, one way to meet the insurance requirements is to qualify for supplemental security income (SSI). Our Boston social security disability lawyers know that supplemental security income recipients are also generally eligible to receive Medicaid benefits, which satisfy the insurance requirements under the ACA.
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The risk of stroke continues to impact older adults, and surprisingly, adults in their 30s and 40s. In addition to obvious risks like smoking, heavy drinking, and a history of heart disease, research indicates that individuals with high anxiety are at a higher risk of stroke. A stroke can cause serious disability, impacting mobility, speech, and cognitive abilities. For many stroke victims going back to work is an impossibility. In addition to the stress of losing income, many victims of stroke will require therapy and rehabilitation.

Our Boston Social Security Disability attorneys are experienced with protecting the rights of individuals and their families who are impacted by stroke. We are dedicated to helping these families collect Social Security Disability as well as in raising awareness to prevent future stroke and injury. As advocates for families of injury, illness and disability, we are abreast of developments in medicine and disability law.
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In the event of disability, individuals who need parking privileges are given placards that give them access to disability spots. Recently, investigators have found that there is abuse of disability parking in the City of Boston. According to reports, some drivers are using placards of deceased relatives, or using placards meant for disabled individuals out of state. While the parking stress throughout Boston impacts us all, the abuse of placards is an injustice to those who truly depend on access to disability parking.

The state Inspector General in collaboration with police and the Registry of Motor Vehicles uncovered widespread abuse of disability parking placards. Our Boston SSDI attorneys are experienced in protecting the rights of individuals who suffer from disability. We are committed to helping disabled persons and their families collect SSDI benefits and in raising awareness to protect the disabled of our community. The exposure of the abuse comes after months of surveillance and data collection by investigators.
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The physically and mentally disabled have long benefited from medical and technological advancements. In addition to equipment that helps with mobility and transportation, the mentally impaired can also benefit from computer technologies and communications devices. According to recent reports, the University of Massachusetts in Boston and IBM are collaborating on new ways to benefit the disabled and the elderly with technological advancements.

Individuals who have become disabled over time, as a result of disease or an accident, may find themselves reliant on technological advancements, including wheelchairs, communication devices and other aids. Individuals who suffer from a disability face challenges beyond physical and mental impairments. These disabilities can impact financial security, emotional well-being and the ability to connect with a community. Social Security disability insurance benefits may help you regain financial footing after disability. Our Boston SSDI attorneys are dedicated to helping individuals and families collect financial support in the event of disability. We understand the difficulties and challenges faced by our clients and are committed to raising awareness and encouraging developments in disability technology.
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There is a common misconception that a large number of those who file for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits in Boston are doing so because they have struggled to find a job in a downtrodden economy.

That’s why concern about the stability of the federal program has heightened with news that some 1.3 million workers will lose out on unemployment benefits at the end of the year if Congress fails to renew an emergency aid program.
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The Social Security Administration sends out both Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits electronically each month so that the disabled can get the income they need. Unfortunately, our Boston disability lawyers know that this makes recipients vulnerable to identity theft and to having their benefits checks rerouted to debit cards that thieves can use to purchase merchandise or obtain cash.

USA Today discussed the phenomenon of the electronic theft of disability benefits, indicating that almost 40,000 cases of direct deposit benefit fraud had already been reported by July of 2013. The estimated cost of the potential loss to U.S. taxpayers in just a nine month period totaled around $17.4 million. For individual SSDI or SSI recipients who need their money to pay for necessities like food and rent, the theft of SSD benefits can also be absolutely devastating, even if the issue is later straightened out and the lost benefits paid.
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Lung cancer is one of the most serious types of cancer, and a recent study of more than 3,000 cancer patients and their clinicians published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology revealed that lung cancer patients overall were reported as being more difficult to treat, having higher symptoms, and having a poorer quality of life when compared with patients suffering from other types of cancer including breast cancer; colon cancer and prostate cancer.

Our Boston disability lawyers know that lung cancer symptoms can include coughing, difficulty breathing, chest pain, chronic respiratory infections and many other serious health effects. The respiratory process affects almost all of the systems in the body, so a person suffering from lung cancer may be unable to do many activities of daily living as well as many tasks that would be required to work. The cancer also typically necessitates invasive and aggressive treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. All of these treatment methods can have debilitating side effects.
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In the United States, the Americans with Disabilities Act works to protect the disabled from discrimination while the Social Security Disability system aims to ensure that disabled individuals have enough money to meet their basic living expenses, even when they can no longer work as a result of a medical condition or impairment.
Unfortunately, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) trust fund could run out of money within the next few years. In recent months, politicians and the media have also been targeting the Social Security Disability system, making accusations that the system is rife with fraud and that changes need to be made. Some politicians have also suggested changing the way that cost-of-living increases are applied to Social Security benefits, which would effectively cut income to many people who receive monthly Social Security disability benefits.

Allegations of fraud in the Social Security disability system likely seem ridiculous to people who have navigated through the difficult process of applying for SSD benefits. Our Boston Social Security Disability lawyers know that well over half of all individuals who apply for SSD benefits are denied. Yet, these accusations continue to be made and politicians continue to propose suggestions to “fix” the entitlement and debt crisis in the U.S. by reforming the Social Security System. The disabled who receive benefits through this system are likely an afterthought to those in power, especially as recent evidence indicates that the disabled may exercise so little political clout that they have trouble even voting.
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The Social Security Disability insurance program has been under fire in recent months, with lawmakers calling for changes and reports on 60 Minutes and NRP suggesting the system is rife with fraud. Unfortunately, many of the claims that have been made in recent months, including those from lawmakers arguing for changes to the program, are based on misunderstandings of the benefits offered and of the way in which the SSA administers the disability benefits programs.

Our Boston Social Security Disability lawyers know that SSD benefits are the sole source of income for many disabled adults and families throughout the United States. The benefits are given only to those who truly cannot work and qualifying for benefits is already very difficult. Any changes made to the program should aim not to make it harder for applicants to get benefits but instead to streamline the process and provide for a better social safety net for those who are too disabled to work Fortunately, there are many advocates for the SSD program and Think Progress has recently highlighted Nine Facts That Prove Disability Insurance Isn’t a Giant Boondoggle.
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