Woman with Cancer Denied Social Security Disability

A woman is Arizona is so frustrated by the Social Security disability process that she has put a plea to President Obama on You Tube.  Gayle Debilbiss of Tuscon, Arizona suffers from several medical conditions and was recently diagnosed with Stage 3-4 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.  She has applied for Social Security disability and been denied - twice.  In this video she expresses the frustrations of so many of my clients.  Having worked hard all of her life she now needs some help -- but cannot get it.  I would tell her what I tell all of my clients: DON"T GIVE UP!  The standard for Social Security disability is much higher than most people think.  You must be unable to do any type of work on a full time basis for a year or more.  But, the standard is not impossible to meet.  Ms. Debilibiss should hire an experienced Social Security disability lawyer who will build her case file and get specific information from her doctors about the limitations she suffers from her medical conditions.  Medical evidence is the key to getting benefits. 

Lupus Linked to Some Birth Control Pills

A recent news article  reports on a study from McGill University in Montreal showing a link between lupus and certain types of birth control pills.  Susceptible women were found to be 1.5 - 2.5 times more likely to develop lupus thatnwomen who had not used the pills.  Further study of this link is certainly needed.  Lupus is a condition that I frequently see in my Social Security Disability cases.  The severity of symptoms varies from patient to patient.  However, when it is disabling the most prominent symptoms that I see are extreme fatigue and joint pain.  If you suffer from lupus and the condition keeps you from working you may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits.  For more information about Social Security Disability Claims, order a copy of my book, Unofficial Guide to Social Security Disability Claims, from my website, www.sharonchristielaw.com

What Your Long Term Disability Insurer Doesn't Want You to Know

If you pay for a long term disability policy, or receive it as an employee benefit, and you pay Social Security taxes I bet you think that if you become disabled you can collect both private disability plus Social Security disability, right?  Well, in most cases you are WRONG!  What most people do not know is that long term disability insurers can make you apply for Social Security disability and, if you get it, reduce their payment to you by whatever amount Social Security pays you.  Is this fair?  Of course not.  You have paid premiums for the private policy and taxes for the Social Security benefit.  I was pleased to see that the state of Connecticut is trying to do something about this injustice.  Connecticut State Senator Edith Prague and Attorney General Richard Blumenthal have joined forces to support legislation that would correct this problem.  According to Senator Prague, “This legislation amounts to a simpl[e] act of fairness because residents routinely pay into both programs through insurance premiums and payroll deductions and should receive benefits from both programs if and when needed.”  I couldn't agree more.  Many of my disability clients have been sadly surprised to learn that they cannot collect the full amount of disability payments they paid for in addition to their Social Security disability.  It would be great if the State of Maryland followed Connecticut's example. 

Traumatic Brain Injury and Social Security Disability

I just added an article to my website library on Traumatic Brain Injury and Social Security Disability.  If you have a traumatic brain injury and want to know if you can get Social Security disability, check it out!

How to Choose a Lawyer for Your Social Security Disability Case

Choosing a lawyer to represent you in a Social Security disability case is one of the most important decisions you will make.  you will work closely with your lawyer and you must choose her carefully.  I wrote this article  to help you find the best lawyer for your case.

Economic Stimulus for Processing Social Security Disability Claims

Is there finally some hope that the terrible backlog of Social Security disability cases will be dealt with?  According to a report on the stimulus package just passed by Congress $500 million is designated for "processing disability and retirement workloads".  I don't know how much relief this will bring to the hundreds of thousands of disabled people who are waiting for a decision on their disability claims.  I certainly hope that the processing of these claims becomes a top priority.  Every day in my law practice I deal with clients who are living in fear of losing their homes or being evicted because they cannot work and have no income.  And then I have to tell them that it may take 2 years for their disability case to be resolved because of the nationwide backlog of 700,000+ cases.  It is terribly frightening for my clients.  They deseve better.  Let's hope that help is on the way.

Fibromyalgia and Social Security Disability Benefits

I have represented many clients with fibromyalgia in Social Security disability cases.  The first question they usually ask me is whether someone can "get benefits for fibromyalgia".  The answer is YES, but getting Social Security  disability benefits does not depend on your diagnosis.  Evidence of the diagnosis is just the first step.  The key to getting disabiltiy benefits is submitting evidence of the limitations that you have because of the fibromyalgia.  For example, fibromyalgia can cause debilitating pain that prevents you from being able to walk long distances, sit for an extended period or take care of your house.  Medical evidence documenting the frequency and severity of your pain will support the claim for benefits.  Therefore it is very important that you thoroughly describe your symptoms and the effect on your day-to-day activities to your doctor.  For more information about Social Security disability claims visit my website at www.SharonChristieLaw.com.

Man Needs a Heart Transplant - Finally gets Social Security Disability Benefits

It is not easy to get Social Security disability benefits.  Anyone who has tried or, like me, represents clients who need the benefits knows this is true.  But the situation described in a recent newspaper article is ridiculous.  A 24 year old South Carolina man suffers from a severe and life threatening heart condition.  According to his doctor, his heart only works at only 30% capacity.  As a former nurse, I can tell you that this is debilitating and certainly not compatible with being able to work.  But that is not what Social Security said!  Socail Security denied his disability claim because he was "fit to work".  As a result, he could not get health insurance and, therefore, could not get on the list for a heart transplant -- which he needs.  After his story appeared in a local newspaper his disability claim was approved -- the same day.  This shows the lengths that you must go to prove your claim.  Fortunately, this young man and his family did not give up.  That is the advice I give my disability clients.  The process is long and frustrating, but don't give up.  For more information about Social Security disability go to my website, www.SharonChristieLaw.com.