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Social Security Disability

• Healthcare Clinics in NC with free service
• Free Clinics in Forsyth County
• Form SSA 3381
• Form SSA 827
• Form SSA 561

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Social Security Disability

Are you disabled and unable to work?  If so, you may be eligible for support through the Social Security/disability system.  You’ve paid your Social Security taxes all of your working life, and you’re entitled to get paid benefits when you’re disabled.  Every year, when you get your annual statement, there’s a line that tells you how much you would receive in case of disability. 

You hoped that this would never apply to you.  But now things are different.  You rightfully expect that Social Security would come through for you in this time of need.  It seems straightforward enough. Get a claim form, file it, and start receiving checks.  No attorney, lawyer, or other legal advice required.

We wish it were that easy.  Unfortunately, you’re in for a very rude awakening:

The system that has been set up to help you is very badly flawed.  Instead of providing relief to disabled citizens like you, just as it promises in all those statements, the Social Security system seems rigged against them, making it almost impossible for disabled people to get the support they so desperately need.

Approximately 70% of all initial claims are denied, and the denial rates for appeals are even higher.  If that weren’t bad enough, the people who file for disability payments, people, who need the money desperately, are forced to wait, and wait, and wait...

The process from start to finish can take several years!

If you are disabled and no longer have a source of income, what are you supposed to do while you’re waiting, year after year, for your claim to be resolved?  The Social Security system doesn’t have much of an answer.  It almost seems as if they hope you’ll starve to death so they won’t have to pay you. Individuals with seemingly obvious disability claims due to diabetes, back injuries, cancer, stroke, heart failure, obesity, joint replacement, and other serious medical problems are denied every day.

In order to forestall economic disaster, it is absolutely crucial that you learn as much as possible about how the system works and file your claim correctly:

First of all, and most crucially, you must file your claim as soon as possible, considering the long timeline.  You must file it properly so that your chances at success are maximized.

And last, but certainly not least, you must include any and all supportive materials, especially medical records.  If you don’t, your claim will be denied 100% of the time.

There is more, of course, including the exact form the medical records and statements should take to maximize your chances at a positive outcome.

Moreover, there are many areas where someone who really knows the system can help.  What exactly qualifies as a disability?  How soon can you file?  What do you need to file?  Can you work while you’re waiting for your claim to be resolved – without getting disqualified?  Where can you get help in the meantime?  How does Social Security disability relate to SSI? 

There are so many questions, so many potential traps that, if not handled properly, could delay the successful resolution of your claim, or even sabotage it altogether.

How can you improve your odds?  You need legal advice from a lawyer who tells you the truth. Get help from an attorney you can trust.  And where would you find a lawyer who meets both those requirements?

If you live in North Carolina, you’ll find your attorney at Oxner, Thomas + Permar, PLLC.  We have offices in Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Burlington, Raleigh, Charlotte, Hickory, Fayetteville, Wilmington and Asheboro, so no matter where you live in North Carolina, help is nearby.

We have a long track record of helping people in your situation.  If you are disabled, we invite you to visit us for a free consultation.  Just call us at 1-866-622-6671 to set up a time that works for you. 

And there’s no need to be concerned about cost.  We work on a contingency basis:  We get paid when you get paid – with a percentage of what you’ll receive in back payments.  While there are never any guarantees, especially with a system so rigged against those it is supposed to help, we have an excellent record of helping our clients. 

Being disabled is hard enough.  You shouldn’t have to worry about how to pay for your housing and living expenses, let alone doctor’s bills.   Let us help you get the Social Security disability payments you deserve, and get them as soon as legally possible.

Blog for Social Security Disability

• Update on the SSA Using Electronic Medical Records
• Apply for SSD On Your Computer
• Disability Claims Processing Data
• Fixing a Broken Mental Health System
• GAO Follows SSA's Efforts to End Hearings Delays
• Hospitals in NC
• America's Best Hospitals
• No Cost of Living Increase for Social Security Benefits
• Preparing for a Hearing
• Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease Added to Compassionate Allowance List
• SSD, SSI Benefits and Same Sex Marriages
• Claims for Disability Continue to Take More Time
• State DDS Jobs Should Be Secure
• Inclusive Health: A New Healthcare Plan
• Winston-Salem Company Offers Hope for Chronic Back Pain Sufferers
• Understanding SSA Denial Paperwork
• SSD and Workers Comp in Utah
• Workers Comp and SSD - Why not in NC?
• New way to diagnosis Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
• Social Security Disability backlogs exist nationally
• Social Security to Start Gathering Medical Records Electronically
• Medicare to Pay For Telemedicine
• Spinal Fusion in Pictures
• A New Insurance Product For Tough Times
• Is Social Security Going Digital?
• Medicare's Benefits Not Always Obvious
• Medicare is Important This Time of Year
• New President's Plan on Disabilities
• One year later, Social Security still doesn't get it.
• Unfortunately, high unemployment rates do not translate into higher disability approval rates.

Library for Social Security Disability:

• Healthcare Clinics in NC with free service   
  Description: Note: some counties do not offer free clinic service
• Free Clinics in Forsyth County   
  Description: Healthcare clinics in Forsyth County
• Form SSA 3381 [PDF]   
  Description: Medical and Job Worksheet
• Form SSA 827 [PDF]   
  Description: Medical Authorization for SSA
• Form SSA 561 [PDF]   
  Description: Request for Reconsideration
• Form SSA 3441 [PDF]   
  Description: Disability Report Appeal
• Form HA 501 [PDF]   
  Description: Request for Hearing
• What People Applying For Disability Need To Know   
  Description: Social security claimants face long waits and family hardship as they wait for their disability claims to be reviewed. There are several ways to apply, including on line or over the telephone, but no system is quick and easy.
• Five Social Security Disability Tips   
  Description: If you read only one article on Social Security Disability read this one (or read this one first).
• What on Earth is a Workers' Compensation Offset? [PDF]   
  Description: What happens when you are drawing workers' compensation benefits and also social security disability benefits? How can a lawyer help you get the best settlement in workers' compensation and also increase the amount you get each month from Social Security?

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Frequent Questions for Social Security Disability:

• Tell me about long term disability benefits and what that means to me since I may get Social Security Disability benefits.
  
• Is alcoholism a disability?  What about drug addiction?
• Will receiving Social Security disability benefits affect my current COBRA health insurance plan?
• What items are considered Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE)?
• Can you explain the term “protective filing date?”
• Can my Social Security disability benefits be affected by other public benefits I receive?
• I just found out that I will be getting Workers’ Comp payments.  Will that change my SSD benefits?
  
• I have received unemployment benefits for more than a year but I have recently become disabled and unable to work.  If I apply for SSD, how will my unemployment benefits be affected?
• I was granted disability benefits at the hearing level, but I was wondering how long it will take for me to get a check.  My lawyer says I won, but I would like to know more about the timing.
• I have a terminal illness and was told that I can get Social Security benefits.  Is this correct?
• Will I get more money if my disability gets worse?  Should I reapply at that time?
• What happens to my Disability benefits when I reach retirement age?
• Can I continue to receive benefits if I go back to work?
• What can you tell me about an Expedited Reinstatement (EXR)?
• Do I qualify for SSD since I am partially disabled?
• If I am awarded disability benefits, how long will I receive them?
• How do I document my disability?  What does that mean?
• My SSD claim was denied.  How long do I have to make an appeal?
• Who decides how much money I'll be able to get in Social Security benefits?  Is it based on my type of disability?
• Since it often takes so long to get approved for Disability benefits, can I get them paid out to me retroactively once I'm approved?
• What is date last insured (DLI)?
  
• What can I do on-line on my computer with Social Security Disability?
• I was disabled and unable to work for a few years, but I didn't file for disability benefits.  I am healthy and working again now.  Can I attempt to get disability payments for the time period I couldn't work?
• Not only am I disabled, but I also have a terminal illness that prevents me from being able to work.  Can I still get disability benefits?
• Can you tell me more about Compassionate Allowance?
• If I get disabled and already have private disability insurance, will that reduce my SSD payment benefits?
• What is a bench decision?
• Can creditors get any part of my Social Security Disability benefits?
• I've been told that I can only do sedentary work because of my disability.  What does that mean?  Will I not get SSD benefits?
• How do I know if the Social Security Administration will consider my specific disease as a disability?