On behalf of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz L.P.A. posted in Social Security Administration News on Friday, May 18, 2012
The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently changed its policy to forbid disability claims judges from researching claimants on the Internet. Many administrative law judges (ALJs) have previously gleaned information from the Internet to assist them in deciding whether to grant or deny Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits. The ALJs would use sites such as Facebook to help determine the validity of claimants' health conditions.
The SSA has banned that practice because it feels that information found on the Internet is too unreliable to assist disability claims judges in making their decisions. For example, an ALJ could view a recently uploaded picture of a claimant playing soccer with his or her child and assume that the claimant is lying or exaggerating about a physical disability. The judge may not realize that the picture is five years old and predates the applicant's medical condition.
On behalf of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz L.P.A. posted in Social Security Disability Benefits for Illnesses on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Some people with cystic fibrosis may benefit from a new drug known as Arikace. The drug is currently in clinical trials for use by patients suffering from nontuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM) or chronic pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infections.
Arikace is still in early clinical trials, but the manufacturer Insmed is hopeful that it has found an effective treatment for some types of cystic fibrosis. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) previously halted the drug's clinical trials on humans after concerns that lung tumors were associated with Arikace. The FDA recently gave Insmed the "green light" to resume human clinical trials.
On behalf of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz L.P.A. posted in Social Security Disability Benefits Application Process on Thursday, May 3, 2012
There are plenty of people advocating for Social Security Disability (SSD) reform, but few have the unique insight that Julia Schaefer possesses. Schaefer was recently featured in a Dayton Daily News story that described her difficult adult life and how it has shaped her crusade for improving the SSD program.
Schaefer, of Kettering, has survived for more than a decade after being diagnosed with fibrolamella, a rare and lethal type of liver cancer. Doctors said she had only one year to live, but she's survived several bouts with cancer. Her medical condition has prevented her from working much since her cancer diagnosis, but she's attended school and worked when she was physically able.
On behalf of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz L.P.A. posted in Social Security Administration News on Friday, April 27, 2012
Election season is always an interesting time to hear politicians discuss the Social Security system, but it is an especially sensitive topic this time around. Years of neglect and abuse have put the Social Security Trust in a dire situation at a time when baby boomers are approaching retirement age.
When you factor in the recession and high unemployment rate, you have a forceful combination of issues that threaten the Social Security Disability (SSD) program. Many of us have been aware of the Social Security crisis for years, but new data shows that the situation is even worse than previously forecast.
On behalf of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz L.P.A. posted in Social Security Administration News on Thursday, April 19, 2012
Times aren't going to get any easier for Social Security Disability (SSD) applicants, as the Social Security Administration (SSA) is expected to reduce its workforce by a total of 9,000 people over a three-year period that began in 2011. The SSA cut 4,000 jobs in 2011 and is expected to cut 3,000 in 2012 and 2,000 in 2013.
The resource slashing comes at a time when the SSA processes more SSD applications than ever before. Most claimants have a lengthy wait before they receive an answer about their disability benefits application, and as experienced Social Security Disability attorneys, we anticipate the delays to significantly increase throughout 2012 and 2013.
On behalf of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz L.P.A. posted in Social Security Disability Benefits Application Process on Wednesday, April 11, 2012
The U.S. government funds a program designed to help certain disabled people increase their quality of life and obtain Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits, but - as of now - this program will end in June.
The program consists of 500 community work incentives coordinators located throughout the nation. These coordinators help disabled people find work that agrees with their physical or mental ailments. The incentives coordinators also gather information regarding applicants' conditions and assist them in applying to the Social Security Administration (SSA).
These coordinators don't act as Social Security Disability attorneys - they are much more limited in their role with disability claims - but they've been valuable for some people such as Alec Gentry, a former homeless man suffering from bipolar disorder.
On behalf of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz L.P.A. posted in Social Security Disability Benefits for Illnesses on Thursday, April 5, 2012
As many as 3 million Americans live with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCD). The anxiety disorder usually manifests through repetitive behaviors, or compulsions.
OCD can create an intense desire, or need, for perfectionism. This can involve an obsession with orderliness, cleanliness or a particular way of doing things - with no room for deviation.
On behalf of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz L.P.A. posted in Social Security Disability benefits for Mental Impairment on Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Raising children is never easy, but parents of autistic children deal with challenges that most of us will probably never comprehend. Unfortunately, a new study reveals that those obstacles range beyond the inherent difficulties of parenting and protecting a child with autism and extend into the parents' ability to generate income.
The recent study, authored by leaders at the Center for Autism Research at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, concludes that parents of autistic children need to allocate more time toward the care and development of their child. Naturally, more time at home means less time at work.
On behalf of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz L.P.A. posted in Social Security Disability Benefits for Injuries on Thursday, March 22, 2012
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been the signature wound that American troops have been dealing with in recent years. The outlook has been decidedly bleak, with veterans left with few treatment options and not nearly enough guidance and emotional support to overcome the sizable obstacles that TBI victims face - especially when simultaneously trying to handle the daunting task of readjusting to civilian life.
Fortunately, the quality of life may be slowly improving for military vets who suffer from brain injuries. The Sacramento Bee recently published a story about an innovative brain health center in California that's making strides in rehabilitating former soldiers suffering from TBI. The facility blends modern brain injury treatments with a comfortable and supportive setting. For some soldiers, it seems to be making a big difference.
On behalf of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz L.P.A. posted in Social Security Disability Benefits for Illnesses on Friday, March 16, 2012
On March 7, thousands of people across the country unified efforts to stop derogatory use of the "R-word." The R-word has been carelessly used by many people since doctors and psychologists began using the term "mental retardation" to describe significant mental impairment, whether the person is born with the impairment or develops it through a brain injury. Societal abuse of the term mental retardation has been insensitive to people with mental disabilities, and now there is a strong movement to end its derogative use.
"Spread the Word to End the Word" Day was created to raise awareness about the hurtful effect the R-word can have, with the ultimate goal of eliminating its use in pop culture. If you didn't participate in the event last week - formally or informally - it's not too late. Pledge to never use the derogative term and make others aware that it causes unnecessary pain to the mentally retarded, as well as their friends and families.
