Neck and Back Pain and Your Social Security Disability

Many people who suffer from neck and back problems apply for Social Security Disability.

Administrative Law Judges look to see if you have had any surgeries on your neck and back. Such as surgeries to address pinched nerves, herniated disks, or narrowing of the spinal canal.

Fusions and permanent placement of rods, screws and plates are also important factors to whether you will get Social Security Disability.

Ongoing problems with headaches, chronic pain, the need for pain management doctors can also help you win your Social Security Disability case.

Functional limitations are very important for Social Security Disability cases. For example, does pain radiate into the arms and limit your ability to reach and handle items? Does low back pain cause weakness in your legs? Do your pain medications knock you out?

Questions about your back and neck problems and how Social Security will see your case? Feel free to call Illinois Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

Social Security and Mental Problems

I get a lot of questions about whether you can get Social Security Disability benefits for suffering from Mental Illness.

It is a good question.

People with depression, anxiety, bipolar, to name a few, can be found disabled.

If you suffer from these conditions you need to see a counselor and psychiatrist. This will show the seriousness of your illness, and document what  a professional considers to be your limitations.

Some people have problems getting treatment, but it is well worth it. Without proper medical services you will most likely lose your Social Security Disability case. You may need to turn for help from friends or relatives to get treatment, however in the long run this may make the difference between winning and losing.

What Social Security looks for how your depression, anxiety or bipolar symptoms affect your activities of daily living.

For example, are you able to concentrate, follow directions, get along with others, carry out simple tasks? These are the basics for working a full time job.

Questions about depression, anxiety, bipolar or other mental conditions? Feel free to call Illinois Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

Your Doctor and Social Security Disability

Your Doctor can certainly help your Social Security Disability case.

You should let your doctor know that you are trying to get Social Security Disability. Explain how you are limited in your daily activities.

At some point you will want your Doctor to write a letter for your Social Security case.

I have seen some letters that are not very helpful. They say things like “Mr. Black has a bad back. He is disabled.” This does not help because it is up to the Judge to decide if you are disabled.

The most helpful letters detail why and how your condition limits you. They leave the ultimate call regarding the disability to the Social Security Judge.

The Administrative Law Judge can read between the lines and see how your limitations will make it difficult for you to work a full time job.

Questions about how your Doctor can help your Social Security Disability case? Feel free to call Illinois Lawyer Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

Can Someone Else Get Your Social Security Disability?

A long illness takes a toll on you, your family and your finances.

Once you win your Social Security Disability case can some creditor grab your back benefits from the Social Security Disability case?

In Illinois, creditors are not supposed to be able to get Social Security Disability money to satisfy your bills.

For example, bills for medical expenses, medications, or living expenses should not be subject to judgment or collection efforts. This does not mean people cannot sue you. However, they cannot use your Social Security Disability money to pay off your debt unless you agree to it.

Questions about Social Security Disability and how to get it? Feel free to call Illinois Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

What happens after You Win Your Social Security Disability Case?

What happens after the Social Security Judge rules in your favor?

You will get an official notice in writing sent to your address.

You should also get a written notice explaining how much you will receive per month, and when payments will start. This should be sent to you within 30 days.

There will also be a notice about your back benefits. This sometimes takes longer up to 60 to 90 days. Social Security must calculate the back benefits. If there is SSI and SSD both involved this will slow down the back benefit process at times.

Strangely, I have had a number of clients who get no notice at all and money shows up in their bank account via direct deposit.

Questions about your Social Security Disability case? Feel free to call me, Illinois Social Security Lawyer, Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

Children’s Cases and SSI

Children’s cases for Social Security Disability are completely different than regular Adult disability cases.

Of course, the focus in adult cases is whether you can work. For children, Social Security looks at ability to function in 6 different areas.

Many attorneys will not take Children’s SSI cases. I will represent children in SSI cases because I believe you can win under certain circumstances, and parents need help getting through the system.

You must prove your child is extremely limited in one area, or markedly limited in two areas.

Three of the areas deal with physical functioning, and three deal with mental functioning.

Just as in Adult cases, you must appear before a Judge. The child must appear and testify, unless the Judge says the child does not need to testify. This usually happens for younger children.

The parent also must testify in court before the Judge.

The key in children’s SSI cases is to have good medical treatment, and it helps to have a sympathetic doctor.

Proof of hospitalization, school records, and discipline records are also very important.

Need help with your Child’s SSI case? Feel free to call Illinois Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371

Social Security Disability and Unemployment

It usually takes a long time to get Social Security Disability.

This means that you have to survive while waiting for a decision.

Many people file for unemployment after they can no longer work.

Some Social Security Judges will use this against you.

The Judge will ask you if you were able to work since you tell the Department of Employment Security that you are seeking work when they pay you.

In response you may be able to tell the Social Security Judge that you thought you could work part time, or that you were struggling with your pain but were willing to try to work.

The key is to explain how you were feeling at the time.

Questions about your Social Security Disability case and the best way to prepare your case? Feel free to call Illinois Social Security Lawyer Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

File for Your Social Security Disability Now

You should file for your Social Security Disability as soon as possible.

There is nothing to  be gained if you wait.

In fact, you may lose benefits the longer you wait to file for your Social Security Disability.

The reason is that you can only be paid back benefits for 12 months before your application is filed.

You also want to want to have your Social Security hearing as soon as possible. It can take up to 2 years to get the hearing so it is best to file and get things going.

Remember there are no filing fees or costs.

Questions about filing for Social Security Disability? Feel free to call Illinois Social Security Lawyer Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

Social Security Disability and Your Hearing

The tricky part of testifying at your Social Security Disability hearing is knowing how to explain your problems and how they limit your daily activities.

I was talking with an Administrative Law Judge the other day, and he mentioned that sometimes people just talk about too many problems.

This overwhelms some Judges, and backfires against you.

There is a fine line between complaining too much versus not explaining enough about your problems.

If you pile high a list of problems, and are extreme in your description the Judge may find that you are not believable.

The better approach may be to focus on the most serious problems such as back, arms, legs and lack of energy. You may want to avoid hearing and eyesight issues unless they are extreme.

You should also think through how you will describe your limitations to the Administrative Law Judge. Even disabled people can do some chores with extended rest breaks.

Questions about your Social Security Disability hearing? Feel free to call Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

Social Security Disability and Arm and Hand Problems

Problems with your hands and arms are very important to your Social Security Disability case.

These conditions can range from carpal tunnel, cubital tunnel, shoulder tears, weakness, loss of range of motion.

They may be caused by diseases, injuries or trauma. Such as diabetes, arthritis, or degenerative joint disease.

For example, neuropathy often causes loss of sensation, tingling, and pain.

You can prove these problems with Doctor’s records, tests like EMGs and nerve tests, or MRI’s.

These types of problems with the hands and arms are critical in Social Security Disability cases.

This is because the Administrative Law Judge must decide what jobs you can do, and the ability to use your hands and arms is crucial in almost all jobs.

Questions about hand and arm problems and your Social Security Disability case? Feel free to call Illinois Social Security Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.