In today’s divisive political scene, there doesn’t seem to be much agreement from opposite sides of halls of Congress. One thing that most representatives of both political parties can agree on, however, is that we need to speed up the disability process for disabled veterans and service members.
Rough times may be ahead for those who depend on Social Security disability benefits unless Congress and the government act fast. The most recent Social Security Trust Fund Treasurer’s report indicates that the Social Security Trust Fund allocated for SSDI and SSI recipients will run dry in three short years unless something significant is done to replenish it.
The US Senate recently passed a law which names the first week of April 2012 as National Asbestos Awareness Week. While April first through seventh is officially recognized by the US Congress, many recognize the entire month of April as a time to promote awareness and understanding of asbestos and the health conditions caused by prolonged exposure to it.
In a rare show of bipartisan solidarity, the US Senate has recently declared April 2012 “Parkinson’s Awareness Month.” It is hoped that by recognizing and drawing attention to this debilitating disease that we can improve treatments and the quality of life for those who suffer with Parkinson’s.
As unemployment rates continue to rise, and the average length of employment becomes longer and longer, more Americans than ever are claiming Social Security Disability benefits on the basis of mental illness.
When you become disabled, there are a number of programs you may qualify for to help replace your income. Depending on the circumstances and nature of your disability, you may be able to:
The payment of Social Security benefits began in the form of physical checks mailed to beneficiaries of course, given that no other means of making payment was available at the time. With the advent of electronic payment options, the Social Security Administration (SSA) gave beneficiaries a choice of how they wished to receive their benefits: through standard mail via check or through electronic funds transfers to their own bank account or to a dedicated debit card.
If you’ve finally made it through what can be a lengthy and challenging review process for receiving Social Security Disability benefits, you’ll need to know what to expect moving forward.
After being awarded benefits, no matter at what stage in the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) review process you are deemed eligible, you will receive a document in the mail which is entitled “Certificate of Award”. This document will inform you of the amount of your monthly disability payment.
The processes involved in initial reviews for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits vary significantly in some ways from those that take place at an appeal hearing officiated by an administrative law judge (ALJ). There are also some aspects of the review process and appeal hearing procedure which are quite similar. Following you’ll find information on both the similarities and differences to help you understand what to expect from each stage of the disability determination process.
If an individual is initially denied Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) through the standard first or second review processes with the Social Security Administration (SSA) and wishes to continue pursuing disability benefits, he or she will be required to participate in an appeal hearing with an administrative law judge presiding.
