Too-sick-to-work Americans reduce labor force

Too-sick-to-work Americans reduce labor force.

Most people would rather work than be on Social Security Disability. The benefit amounts are just not much. And it is not that easy to qualify.

 

Is Social Security really exhausted? Not at all | Reuters

Is Social Security really exhausted? Not at all | Reuters.

You mean the media may not be getting the story right?

 

What Does Social Security Mean: I Do Not Qualify?

Social Security is complicated.

There are many rules and laws that can trip you up.

One is the Date of Last Insurance requirement.

You must work and pay into Social Security to be eligible for Social Security Disability.

If you were not in the work force, or worked in a job where they did not take out Social Security taxes then you cannot get Social Security Disability.

Some examples, are stay at home spouses, some State University employees, or you have a sporadic work record.

The basic rule is that you must have worked enough quarters in 5 of the last 10 years.

Your date of last insurance tells you the date before which you must prove disability.

For example, if your date of last insurance is December 31, 2011 and you are found disabled as of August 31, 2011 then you are entitled to your monthly Social Security Disability benefits.

If you are found disabled as of February 1, 2012, then you are not entitled to any Social Security Disability benefits.

Sounds harsh, but those are the rules.

Just another reason you should file as soon as possible for your Social Security Disability.

For those not eligible for Social Security Disability, you may still qualify for SSI.

Questions about this confusing mess? Feel free to contact Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

 

Knoxville man accused of threatening to kill federal judge » Knoxville News Sentinel Mobile

Knoxville man accused of threatening to kill federal judge » Knoxville News Sentinel Mobile.

Click above to read. Yes, it is against the law to threaten a Social Security Judge.

 

Social Security Disability Questions

Do all these questions from the Administrative Law Judge mean anything?

Every question the Social Security Judge asks is important.

Some are obviously important.

Others are more subtle.

For example, the questions about your daily activities and chores are important because they give the Judge an idea of what bothers you most and how you are limited.

This is not idle chatter no matter how friendly or disinterested the Judge may seem.

If you cannot do something or need to take breaks while doing performing a chore, make sure you explain it clearly to the Judge.

Judges may use your testimony to deny your Social Security Disability benefits.

Need to know more about what happens at a Social Security hearing? Feel free to call Illinois Social Security Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

 

How to Mess Up Your Social Security Disability Case

A Social Security Disability Case has a lot of paper work.

It is easy to do something that ruins your case while filling out the paper work.

You must be very careful.

One of the Social Security forms they have you fill out is called a Activity Report.

If you are not careful it can blow up your case.

The form asks you to explain your limitations and what activities you can perform.

For instance, if you tell Social Security that you can lift 40 pounds this can result in you losing your case.

If you tell them that you spend most of your day drinking beer this can mess up your case.

If you tell Social Security that you spend your days cleaning your house it can be used against you.

If you do not mark the boxes telling them that you have problems lifting, sitting, standing and walking it may be used against you.

The point is that you have to mindful of what you do at all stages of your Social Security case.

Many Administrative Law Judges will go through these forms to check your answers and may use them to deny your benefits.

Questions about what to look out for your Social Security Disability case? Feel free to call Illinois Social Security Lawyer Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

 

Social Security Disability is not fair!

I do not know how many times people tell me about others they know who are on Social Security Disability and who are not that bad off.

The basic point to their story is that I should be found disabled because I am much worse off than the other people I know.

My response is that all is not as it appears.

In other words, we cannot see the disabled person’s medical records. We do not know what their work background or educational history. Just because you cannot see the disability does not mean it does not exist. Think of pain, fatigue, mental illness.

Another big difference is age. For instance, the other day a younger person told me that he had waited 6 months for a decision and he knew someone who was 52 years old who was found disabled within 2 months. Once you are 50 years old the requirements to be found disabled are much different than if you are under 50 years of age.

The other thing that appears unfair is that different people who review the cases come to different conclusions. That is life. The reviewers are supposed to use the same standards but human bias always enters in.

The bottom line is that the system is messed up. It takes too long for Social Security to make a decision. It is frustrating but we have to adapt to the long waits or change them.

Any ideas about ways to speed up Social Security Disability decisions? Call me, Attorney Dirk May, at 309-827-4371.

 

Depression and Social Security Disability

When it comes to depression and other diseases of the mind, many people treat for it and anxiety through prescriptions from a family doctor.

This is fine, but Social Security Disability Judges give more weight to psychologists and psychiatrists.

That is why I recommend to my clients that they see a psychologist or psychiatrist if at all possible.

Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health treatment so they can give detailed explanations of your condition, and the resulting limitations.

If you have any questions about depression and anxiety and Social Security, or about mental health providers who may be available to help you please call me, Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

 

Medical Records and Social Security Disability

Your medical records will decide whether or not you win your social security disability case.

That is why it is so important to get medical treatment in your Social Security case. Of course, this is difficult if you do not have insurance or a medical card. Bloomington, Peoria, Champaign and Springfield, Illinois have some free clinics. There are also some mental health facilities in Central Illinois that provide counselors and psychiatrists.

You should treat on a regular basis. This will show your condition is serious.

You should tell your doctor about all your problems so the doctor will record everything in your records.

The medications you take are important. This will be part of your records also.

What the doctor writes in the records is very persuasive to the Administrative Law Judge who will decide your case. So make sure you are clear in what you tell your doctor.

Need more tips? Call SSDI Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

 

Social Security Office Help

There is a recent statistic showing that in some local Social Security Offices anywhere from 10% to 15% of the people who walk in for help are turned away without getting service.

The percentage of people who call into local offices without someone answering the telephone are probably even higher.

We are very fortunate in Bloomington, Illinois to have good staff at the local social security office. The waits for walk-in service are not too bad, and I can get almost all my phone calls answered.

It is a different story at other area offices. For instance, I find it difficult to get through on the telephone to Springfield, Champaign, Peru and Peoria, Illinois local offices.

What is your experience with social security help? Any good stories? Horror stories?