Check out our New Website

This blog and the Work Comp blog have been merged into one website.

Check it out at ildisabilitylaw.com

 

Blog Info

I will be involved with some other matters during the next few weeks.

So I will not be posting again till the middle of July.

Be sure to check back in at that time.

 

Social Security Disability- Why Does It Take So Long?

There is no question that Social Security Disability cases are taking longer.

In Central Illinois it used to take 3 months from application to first decision.

Now it is taking up to 6 months for a decision.

If you are denied, then you must appeal and it takes another 6 months.

It used to take 3 months for the second level decision.

This results in an additional 6 month delay.

If you are denied at the second level, then you must Request a Hearing.

The wait for the hearing used to be 8 months.

Now it is taking about 10 months.

The total additional delay is approximately 8 months.

Social Security claims the delay is because more people are filing for disability and there are not enough employees to handle the cases.

Something is wrong with the system if it takes 22 months to get a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge.

People end up homeless or living with friends or relatives when it takes this long.

The rules do allow you to work part time, however some Judges will use the part time work against you and ask why you cannot work full time if you are performing part time work.

Sometimes you can get an expedited hearing, but there is no guarantee.

The most important question is whether you can last the 22 months until you get before a Judge.

If you can work, then you should work as long as you can because Social Security Disability is not something want to be on unless you have to.

Questions about ways to improve your case? Feel free to contact Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney Dirk May with Williams and Swee at 309-827-4371.

 

Quinn signs bill to let psychologists prescribe – News – The State Journal-Register – Springfield, IL

Quinn signs bill to let psychologists prescribe – News – The State Journal-Register – Springfield, IL.

Click above to read.

This will help mental health patients get faster access to prescriptions for their conditions. People with a medical card are finding it difficult to get into a psychiatrist for medications.
This will help people who are applying for disability to get treatment also.

 

What You Dont Know About Social Security—but Should – WSJ

What You Dont Know About Social Security—but Should – WSJ.

This article raises important points.
Social Security just not have the employees necessary to take care of all the business in its jurisdiction. Any wonder it takes so long to get a Social Security Disability decision?

 

Disabled Recipients of Social Security Fund Face Hefty Benefits Cut – NBC News.com

Disabled Recipients of Social Security Fund Face Hefty Benefits Cut – NBC News.com.

Click above to read.

It is important to note that Social Security Disability benefits do not provide a life of luxury for people. Most people would much rather work than be on disability. A 20 percent reduction in benefits would be devastating.

 

Demand increasing among youths needing mental health care

Demand increasing among youths needing mental health care.

Click above to read.

Mental health providers for children is certainly an area of great need. Some children are eligible for SSI benefits depending on household income and the severity of their condition.

 

Social Security Disability- A Parable

There were 2 pigs who lived together on a farm.

One of the pigs was quiet and never missed a meal, but he did not over eat. He also listened to the older pigs who gave him advice about how to behave on the farm and explained what the farmer was like.

Another pig liked to live large and loud. He ate his own meal and some of his fellow pigs meals. He liked to throw around his weight. He scoffed at the other pigs advice. He also thought that he ran the farm, and not the farmer.

Market day came and the farmer looked over the pigs and the large, loud pig caught his attention and off he went in the farmer’s truck.
The other pig eyes got a little larger and he moved to the back of the herd of pigs.

Sometimes it takes a little wisdom to win your Social Security Disability case.

It certainly helps to listen to people who know their way around the process.

Many people do not understand that you can get important advice and guidance from a Social Security Disability lawyer without any upfront fees.
A lawyer only gets paid if you win your case and there is a limit on the amount that can be paid the lawyer.

It makes no sense to go in a courtroom before a Judge without help.

I saw a recent decision involving a person without a lawyer and the Social Security Judge took great advantage of the claimant.
It was as if the person wandered into a slaughter house. An experienced disability lawyer would have been able to guide the client and point him in the right direction.

Questions about your Social Security case? Feel free to contact Illinois Social Security Disability lawyer Dirk May with Williams and Swee at 309-827-4371.

 

Social Security closes offices as baby boomers age – News – The State Journal-Register – Springfield, IL

Social Security closes offices as baby boomers age – News – The State Journal-Register – Springfield, IL.

Click above to read.

You have to wait a long time when the office is open and the hours are reduced. It is often difficult to get someone to answer the telephone at some offices. The website is not the easiest for people to navigate. Social Security is moving toward doing more things online such as filing for disability.

 

The Social Security cash crunch Congress cant ignore – Jun. 17, 2014

The Social Security cash crunch Congress cant ignore – Jun. 17, 2014.

Click above to read.

Here we go again.
This will start another round of media stories, and more people will be denied because of Social Security Judges who feel the pressure.