If you have applied for disability benefits because a medical condition has left you unable to work only to have your claim denied, you are not alone. Most disability claims – about 67 percent of them – are denied at the initial review. There is an even higher percentage of claims that are denied during the request for reconsideration. Finally, you will have the opportunity to request a hearing before an administrative law judge.

Strokes are the fifth leading cause of death in the state of South Carolina. According to the CDC, strokes took the lives of over 2,600 people in the Palmetto state in 2016 alone.

For individuals who survive a stroke, the road to recovery can be long and lined with obstacles. There are many federal and state resources available to assist those who have experienced a vascular insult to the brain. The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers financial assistance to some individuals who are no longer able to work as a result of the long-term effects of a stroke.

Those who have survived a stroke can attest to how scary it can be to experience such a life-changing health crisis. Depending on the severity of the stroke, some people are left unable to work following their injury. In addition to working on health recovery, these individuals also must worry about their financial well-being.

The road to recovery can be a long one for those who have experienced a stroke. In addition to facing the physical and emotional challenges that come with the sudden health event, one must often contend with the financial impact of being unable to work.

In 2017, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed into law a comprehensive bill aimed at improving access to the right level of care for people that suffer from strokes. As the third leading cause of death in the state, stroke advocates welcomed the legislation. The new law is just one way that Pennsylvania is working to enhance the outlook for stroke victims.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women and is also the second leading cause of cancer deaths in females, second only to lung cancer. Approximately 1 in 8 women develops invasive breast cancer, making it a disease that touches many lives. Undoubtedly, someone you know has been impacted by breast cancer.

Disability benefits offer a source of consistent income for you and your family, ensuring you have the money necessary to meet your financial obligations and everyday costs of living.

Being approved isn’t guaranteed though, which means you may have filed once and been denied. If you were denied benefits due to medical ineligibility, you can still try for disability again in the future.

Knowing when to refile can be confusing however. The following hints can help you decide when, or if, you should restart your claim.

Although you are not required to hire an attorney at any point during the Social Security Disability application process, we advise you to retain the services of an attorney prior to submitting your initial application.

What to Know About the Initial Application Process

Many applicants are under the impression that applying for disability benefits is as simple as filling out a few forms. Unfortunately this isn’t the case. The initial application process requires extensive paperwork, medical records, and personal information.

Disability benefits are available to those who suffer from medical conditions that make it so they are unable to work. Paid through the Social Security Administration (SSA), disability benefits can help you cover costs associated with medical bills and living expenses.

If you are a member of a workers’ union who has become disabled, you may wonder if your union membership impacts your ability to receive Social Security disability benefits.

Your union membership doesn’t keep you from qualifying for benefits and many unions offer support for workers who have become unable to work because of illnesses or injuries.

While some unions have their own benefit programs, there are many labor unions that help members apply for disability benefits offered by the government or for benefits that are offered by their employers.