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Posts Tagged ‘Supplemental Security Income’

High Blood Pressure and receiving Social Security Disability

Wednesday, June 8th, 2011
Main complications of persistent high blood pr...

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The Social Security Administration provides two disability programs- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). To qualify for either program based on a disability, you will need to prove you have a disabling mental or physical health condition which is so severe you will be unable to perform “substantial activity” for at least 12 continuous months.

So can you get SSDI or SSI disability benefits for high blood pressure. Hypertension is listed as a specific impairment listing under section 4.03 of the SSA Listing of Impairments (SSA Bluebook), titled Hypertensive Cardiovascular disease.

The Social Security Administration will evaluate your high blood pressure as it related to other chronic conditions such as coronary artery disease and chronic heart failure. You may also receive disability if you can prove that the hypertensive condition has caused severe damage to your kidneys, eyes or brain.

Keep in mind the SSA is less concerned with your specific diagnosis and more concerned about whether or not you have the functional capacity to perform substantial activity or work.

What is High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, refers to the pressure of the blood as it is pumped through the arteries or vessels, which carry the blood from an individual’s heart to the organs and tissues of the body.

Blood pressure is rated as normal below 120/80 and pre-hypertensive from 120/80 to 139/89. If an individual’s blood pressure is 140/90 or above, they are said to have “high blood pressure”.

So what do these numbers actually mean? The top number is called the systolic blood pressure and refers to the pressure of the arteries as the heart contracts and pushes the blood through arteries. The lower number or diastolic pressure refers to the pressure of the arteries after the contraction.

Approximately one in three adults suffers from high blood pressure, according to the American Heart Association. This means that over 73 million Americans are at risk for cardiac disease, renal disease, eye injury, and hardening of the arteries. Given the prevalence of high blood pressure, it has been labeled as a national public health problem.

Scientists have studied high blood pressure for years and attempted to determine whether creating an eating plan could help reduce it. At the conclusion of their studies, they determined there was such a plan, and they termed it the DASH Diet eating plan. Scientific studies confirmed by following the DASH Diet and combining it with other changes such as daily physical exercise, participants could lower, prevent, or control their blood pressure.

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If you’re contemplating either a SSI or SSDI claim, you simply must read this

Thursday, March 31st, 2011

03-31-2011

By Mike Hinshaw

A recent post at Digital Journal underscores the importance of retaining a trained, experienced attorney if you’re fighting for disability claims, regardless of whether it involves an SSI item or an SSDI claim:

At this moment, the Social Security Administration (SSA) is faced with the largest case backlog in history, due to the struggling economy and the corresponding rise in claims, which makes it more important than ever to handle your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claim with careful attention to detail, according to Disability Group, Inc., a leading national firm of SSDI attorney representation.

Because there are so many Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cases that need to be reviewed by the SSA, applicants now have the opportunity to influence how quickly claims are reviewed, and increase the likelihood of claims getting approved, in two critically important steps.

“So many people make the mistake of not doing two simple things,” says Patrick Ryan, Director of Operations for Disability Group, Inc. “There are two to-dos of applying for Social Security Disability Benefits, which any firm will tell any client.”

The Two To-Dos of Applying for Social Security Disability

    1. Securing Medical Records

When a disability claim is first handled, either at the initial level (when there has been no decision yet) or at the reconsideration level (after a social security disability denial), it is processed by a disability examiner at Disability Determination Services.

But the disability examiner at DDS is not always successful in obtaining all the necessary medical records. In fact, it is not unusual for disability examiners to make decisions on claims even if not all of the medical evidence is in the file. This will happen if a disability examiner simply has no success in getting the records from a particular doctor’s office, clinic, or hospital.

[copy excerpted]

    2. Respond to ALL Social Security Disability letters and notices promptly

A social security disability case can easily run into trouble if an official notice goes unanswered, especially if it requires some type of response with time constraints. In some cases, this means the difference between a denied claim and an awarded claim.

In all instances, a claimant for benefits based on disability should respond promptly to notices sent by either the Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) (the office of hearings and appeals), DDS (disability determination services), or the Social Security Field Office or District Office, where the claimant originally applied for benefits).

Surprisingly, a very large percentage of disability claimants do not respond to notices from these offices. Failure to respond causes delays and puts your social security disability claim in jeopardy. Always respond promptly to letters and notices sent by any office connected to the Social Security Administration. “It is easy to respond quickly to notifications from the OHA and the DDS when you have representation helping you through each step of your claim,” says Patrick Ryan, Director of Operations at Disability Group, Inc.

Agreed–that sounds like very good advice.

It’s also good to read the whole article, if you’ve got time. We realize you may not have the inclination. But, if nothing else, it shows the importance of retaining a trained, experienced attorney. This stuff can be overwhelming.

For a return to basics, here’s a post from February:

What is the difference between Social Security disability and SSI disability?

Social Security is responsible for two major programs that provide benefits based on disability:  Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which is based on prior work under Social Security, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).  Under SSI, payments are made on the basis of financial need.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is financed with Social Security taxes paid by workers, employers, and self-employed persons.  To be eligible for a Social Security benefit, the worker must earn sufficient credits based on taxable work to be “insured” for Social Security purposes.  Disability benefits are payable to blind or disabled workers, widow(er)s, or adults disabled since childhood, who are otherwise eligible.  The amount of the monthly disability benefit is based on the Social Security earnings record of the insured worker.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a program financed through general revenues.  SSI disability benefits are payable to adults or children who are disabled or blind, have limited income and resources, meet the living arrangement requirements, and are otherwise eligible.  The monthly payment varies up to the maximum federal benefit rate, which may be supplemented by the State or decreased by countable income and resources.  See Understanding Supplemental Security Income for an explanation of SSI benefit payment rates.

God bless–we understand that anybody reading this information may be in serious trouble. All we’re doing is trying to help.

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SOAR’s anecdotal successes may pave way for co-operation among state, federal programs

Monday, February 28th, 2011

By Mike Hinshaw

Howard Long is a testament to the possibilities of the SOAR program, so named because it’s an acronym for SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery, a program administered with states and various agencies by the Social Security Administration to help reduce homelessness and provide SSI and SSDI benefits for qualified applicants. The homeless community is particularly difficult to enroll, assess and reliably contact, hence the outreach.

According to a Feb. 22 story at StarNewsOnline, “One year ago Howard Long, 50, was homeless, had no income, and was living outdoors. He had been to the emergency room at least twice and had been arrested for sleeping in public.

“Today Long rents an apartment, pays for groceries and utilities and has health insurance from Medicare.

“What changed Long’s life is an innovative program called SOAR, which last year helped get 31 chronically homeless people in New Hanover County into housing.”

Chronic homelessness

The story says it’s all part of a 10-year effort mounted in concert with United Way to reduce “chronic homelessness” in the Cape Fear region of North Carolina.

According to the local program director, Dan Ferrell, the benefits accrue way beyond the individuals who get help:

” ‘Communities like those in the Cape Fear region have become increasingly aware of the high costs of homelessness in terms of law enforcement, emergency room care and social services,’ Ferrell said. ‘SOAR is one of our major initiatives to reduce the costs of homelessness.’

“SOAR-acquired benefits bring taxes back to state and local communities.”

Local authorities say benefits outweigh the costs

The story says the 31 recipients will split nearly $270,000 this year and indirectly quotes Ferrell as indicating the benefits back to the community will “significantly exceed” the costs.

A specific benefit cited is that the beneficiaries’ lives improve enough to get out of the emergency-room cycle of using hospitals for health care. The thrust of the story is that addressing the essential cause of homelessness pays off better than the fragmented approach of an endless repetition of street sweeps, lockups, and a life of bouncing between temporary shelters and blowing in the wind.

Applying for benefits ‘very complicated, difficult and somewhat adversarial’

But without a concerted effort involving inter-agency cooperation–from federal to local communities–local authorities have few choices besides traditional responses. “Applying for the benefits is ‘very complicated, difficult and somewhat adversarial,’ [Michael] Hosick said. ‘Homeless people in particular can quickly get frustrated and give up.’ ”

Hosick is the local executive director for Triangle/Coastal Disability Advocates.

The case that Jack built–over 30 years

More insight–and another success story–comes from a program in Florida, the Bridgeway Center: “SOAR (SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery) is a highly effective process that works within the system to assist disabled individuals in obtaining Social Security benefits.  SOAR has proven to be a successful addition to the array of strategies in the prevention and alleviation of homelessness.”

The example case that Bridgeway has on its site concerns the story of  Jack, “who had exhibited emotional and behavioral problems since childhood; anger, mood swings, inability to hold a job, and difficulties completing tasks of daily living.  Growing up, his mother would get so frustrated with him she threw him out of the home many times.”

The cycle would be repeated many times, for decades.

On one of these occasions he was introduced to alcohol and realized that it made the voices in his head go away.  Jack did not like being on the street so he would beg his mother to let him come back home.  When Jack was found wandering the streets extremely drunk at age 16 he was taken to a hospital and admitted under a Baker Act.  Jack stayed in the hospital until he was 18, then he was released to his mother, stabilized on medication.

This living arrangement lasted for around 6 months before again he was on the streets.  This pattern continued for six years, in and out of hospital, staying with his mother, becoming homeless and back to hospital, until his mother passed away.  Then Jack had no place to go; he truly was homeless.  He stopped taking his medication and began to use street drugs. At 25 he was arrested for possession of drugs, and then hospitalized again.

When he was released and admitted to a group home, his Bridgeway Center Case Manager, Donna Morgan took him to apply for Social Security Insurance. He was denied.  Ms. Morgan attempted to assist him in the appeal process but by that time Jack had left the group home. Ms. Morgan then had difficulty maintaining contact with Jack to complete the process. The Social Security Office would not provide her with information on Jack’s appointments schedule, doctor’s visits or paperwork requirements since she was not Jack’s representative. Jack was denied Social Security benefits three times in one year, without proper documentation, and with no one to stand up for him they would not consider his application.

For Jack? SOAR came through

Finally, Jack crossed paths with the system again, when Morgan ran across him, according to the Web site–and by that time, he was 30. However, this time “This time she used the SOAR strategies. Ms. Morgan became Jacks representative, completed the narrative and obtained reports from the many doctors Jack had seen over the years. After compiling all of the evidence as directed in the SOAR training, she submitted the documentation to the Social Security Office. Jack received full benefits within 3 months following application including benefits retroactive for the previous one and a half years.”

It takes a village, they say. In this case, the “village” is federal-state-city-local agency co-operation.

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Arachnoiditis and Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits

Monday, January 10th, 2011

Your arachnoid is one of the membranes that protect and surround the nerves of your central nervous system, which includes your brain and spinal cord. Your arachnoid lining is one of the three linings that surround your spinal cord and brain.

Arachnoiditis is neuropathic disease that is characterized by inflammation of your arachnoid. It is a chronic (long-term) disorder that is a devastating affliction of intractable pain. This is pain that is not relieved by ordinary nursing, medical or surgical measures. It is often persistent and chronic pain that can be psychogenic (originating in your mind) in nature.

Arachnoiditis is also marked by neurological deficits (coming from or pertaining to your nervous system). It is a disease that can be disabling.

There are several different forms of arachnoiditis. These include adhesive arachnoiditis, spinal arachnoiditis, proliferative granulomatous arachnoiditis and cysticercotic arachnoiditis.

Arachnoiditis can affect anyone in any age group, but it occurs most often in adults who are between the ages of 40 and 60. This disease affects men and women equally. Arachnoiditis is not a common disease, but it is growing worldwide because of an increasing number of immunocompromised people including intravenous drug abusers, diabetics, people with AIDS, alcoholics and chemotherapy and transplantation patients.

There are three primary causes of arachnoiditis. They are:

  • Infection-induced arachnoiditis – This is when arachnoiditis is caused by certain infections that affect your spine like fungal and viral tuberculosis or meningitis.
  • Chemically-induced arachnoiditis – This is arachnoiditis that is thought to be brought about by some of the dyes that are used in myelograms.
  • Trauma/surgery-induced arachnoiditis – This is arachnoiditis that is a rare complication of spinal surgery.

There are many different possible signs and symptoms that may be an indication of arachnoiditis. Some of these include:

  • Severe stinging, burning pain
  • Paralysis
  • Spasms, muscle cramps and uncontrollable muscle twitching
  • Weakness, nausea and vomiting
  • Visual disturbances or vision loss
  • Headache or severe headache
  • Numbness, tingling or weakness in your legs
  • Bowel, bladder and/or sexual dysfunction
  • Bizarre sensations like water trickling down your leg or insects crawling on your skin.

If arachnoiditis progresses, your signs and symptoms may become more severe and permanent.

You or a loved one may have arachnoiditis. Arachnoiditis and/or complications that have been caused by this disease may have resulted in your disability and inability to work.

Because of this, you may need assistance. You may need financial help.

You or your loved one may be thinking about applying for the financial assistance that you need from the Social Security Administration by applying for Social Security disability benefits or disability benefits because of the disability caused by arachnoiditis and/or complications that have been caused by this disease. You or your loved one may have already done this and been denied by the Social Security Administration.

If you or your loved one has considered reapplying or appealing the denial, think about this. People who are represented by a disability attorney like the one you will find at Social Security Home are approved more often than people who do not have a disability lawyer fighting for them.

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Ectropion and Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits

Wednesday, December 29th, 2010
The tarsi and their ligaments. Right eye; fron...
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Your eyesight is one of the most precious and important of all your senses and abilities. What price would you put on your eyesight? It is truly priceless.

Ectropion is a condition in which your eyelid turns out. This is usually your lower eyelid. This leaves the surface of your inner eyelid prone and exposed to irritation.

When this condition is mild, only one segment of your eyelid turns out, away from your eye. When ectropion is severe, the entire length of your eyelid is turned out.

Ectropion is a condition that usually develops in older people. It is more common in men than in women.

There are seven different types of ectropion. These are:

  • Involutional (age-induced horizontal elongation of your eyelid)
  • Cicatricial (scar, trauma or tumor induced contracture of the outer layer of muscle and skin in your eyelid)
  • Paralytic (resulting from a nerve palsy like Bell’s palsy)
  • Punctal (eversion of the medial portion of your eyelid)
  • Mechanical (eversion of your lower lid due to inflammation or the weight of a tumor)
  • Congenital (evident at birth or shortly after)
  • Mixed mechanical (a combination of two or more causes).

Ectropion is often caused by the process of aging and the weakening of the connective tissue of your eyelid that causes it to turn out. Other possible causes of ectropion include:

  • Facial palsy like Bell’s palsy
  • Scar tissue from burns
  • A  birth defect like Down syndrome
  • Muscle weakness
  • Growths on your eyelids whether malignant or benign
  • Previous radiation, cosmetic procedures or surgery
  • Skin problems like dermatitis.

There are several signs and symptoms that may be an indication of ectropion. Some of these are:

  • Excessive tearing with weeping or watery eyes
  • Excessive dryness where your eyes feel gritty, sandy or dry
  • Irritation from dryness or stagnant tears that causes redness and a burning sensation in the whites of your eyes and your eyelids
  • Chronic (long-term) conjunctivitis
  • Your eyelid turns out
  • Keratitis (inflammation of the tissue of your cornea).

You or a loved one may have been diagnosed with ectropion. This disorder and/or complications that have resulted from or other underlying conditions along with it may be the cause of your disability.

You may need assistance if this is true. You may need financial help.

You or your loved one may be considering applying for the financial assistance that you need from the Social Security Administration by applying for Social Security disability benefits or disability benefits because of the disability caused by ectropion and/or complications that have resulted from or other underlying conditions along with it. Have you or your loved one already applied and been turned down by the Social Security Administration?

If you or your loved one has decided to reapply or appeal the denial, remember this important fact. People who are represented by a disability attorney like the one you will find at socialsecurityhome.com are approved more often than people who do not have a disability lawyer standing with them.

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Of gamers and shooters: Prisoners with SSA benefits lose them after 30 continuous days, must reapply upon release

Wednesday, October 27th, 2010

A case from Connecticut reminds us why it’s never a good idea to try to game the system.

A short piece posted Oct. 26 at NorwichBulletin.com say, “A New London man faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine after pleading guilty Tuesday to charges he fraudulently received Social Security disability payments, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”

Forty-four year-old Mario Torres-Ortiz entered a guilty plea to a charge of making a materially false statement to an agency or department of the United States. Court records indicated the man began receiving Social Security Disability payments 1993.

But in May 2009, “he submitted a form to the Social Security Administration stating he had not worked since 2000. Investigators later found he had worked from May 2007 through May 2009. During those months, Torres-Ortiz obtained $19,585 in disability benefits to which he was not entitled, authorities said.”

Shooter hopes to retain benefits

In the department of bizarre, a Maryland man convicted of shooting a woman in her face has gone back to seeking a modification of his already lightened sentence because if he’s in lockup too long, he’ll lose his Social Security Disability benefits.

To add another twist? The man’s name is John Alvin Lucky.

But he wasn’t lucky in the ruling on his motion. According to an Oct. 25 article in The Herald Mail, District Judge Dana Moylan Wright, who handed out his original sentence in June, denied the motion saying, “You got as light a sentence as I could stomach.”

According to the article, the case began in August 2009, when Hagerstown police responded to a report of gunfire at an apartment. There they found 18-year-old Stephanie Renee Dews, who had been shot in the face.

He ‘fumbled with the pistol’

“Lucky told police he ‘fumbled with the pistol’ and it went off, the [probable cause]  statement said. However, [Assistant State’s Attorney Leon] Debes said that Dews later told investigators that Lucky was loading and unloading the semiautomatic pistol, pointing it at her and pulling the trigger.

“Although the shooting was not intentional, Debes said Lucky ‘wanted to scare Ms. Dews.’ ”

Suspended sentence

In February, Lucky pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment, “but withdrew the plea the same day, re-entering a guilty plea to the same charge in April, according to court records.” Released on an appeal bond after his sentencing hearing in June, Lucky had another change of mind, withdrew the appeal, and got sentenced to five years in prison for reckless endangerment, with four years suspended and sent to the Washington County Detention Center for 90 days, to be followed with nine months’ home detention.

Prisoners lose benefits after 30 days–state has ‘no sympathy’

According to his attorney, Lucky’s motion requested a sentence modification–such as serving on weekends–before serving 30 days continuously. That the threshhold at which the SSDI benefits are threatened. Once lost, the benefits must be re-applied for.

“Debes also noted that the Social Security Administration pamphlet, ‘What Prisoners Need to Know,’ states that prisoners can get benefits reinstated the month after the month they are released.

” ‘The state does not have any sympathy for Mr. Lucky,’ Debes said. Dews lost her home, car and could not pay her medical bills, he said.”

The SSA pamphlet

Following is a related excerpt from that SSA pamphlet:

What happens to my benefits when I am in prison?

If you are receiving Social Security, your benefits will be suspended if you are admitted for more than 30 continuous days to a jail or prison because you were convicted of a criminal offense. Your benefits can be reinstated starting with the month following the month you are released.

Although you cannot receive monthly Social Security benefits while you are confined, benefits to your spouse or children will continue as long as they remain eligible.

If you are receiving SSI, your payments are suspended while you are in prison. Your payments can be reinstated in the month you are released. However, if your confinement lasts for 12 consecutive months or longer, your eligibility for SSI benefits will terminate and you must file a new application for benefits.

Can I get my benefits started when I am ready to be released?

If your Social Security or SSI benefits were suspended because you were in prison, you can request that they be started. You will need to contact Social Security and provide a copy of your release documents before we can take action on your request.

Example: George was receiving Social Security disability benefits. He was convicted and confined to prison on May 15, 2007, and his benefits were suspended effective with May 2007.
On October 10, 2009, George was released and his benefits were reinstated effective with November 2009. Since Social Security benefits are paid in the month following the month for which they are due, George will receive his November benefit in December.

Example: Sam was receiving SSI disability benefits and was confined to prison on June 7, 2009. He was released on September 7, 2009. His SSI can be reinstated as of September 7. Sam will be eligible for a partial payment for September and full benefits for October.

If you were not receiving either Social Security or SSI benefits before you went to prison or your SSI benefits were terminated, you will need to file a new application for benefits if you think you may be eligible. You should contact Social Security for more information about filing a claim for benefits. You will need to provide proof of your release from prison, in addition to a new application and other documents.

NOTE: We cannot start your benefits until you are actually released. And we must have your official release documents from the jail or prison where you were confined. Please remember to bring your release forms when you visit your local Social Security office. This will help us get your benefits started more quickly.

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Social Security: scary truths, or hoary scare tactics?

Saturday, July 31st, 2010

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) has taken some heat over supposed comments about raising the age for Social Security in order to fund the war. A quick search shows the Dems and GOP may be playing tit for tat (although Boehner did introduce legislation that would have hacked VA funding–but the three proposals were withdrawn at the last minute).

One thing is certain, though: in the national debate about the soundness of Social Security, confusion reigns.  It’s important to understand the arguments and get accurate information because although each program has separate funding, the general Social Security retirement benefits, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are all administered by the Social Security Administration. In fact, some of the confusion over retirement benefits may have come about due to a recent discouraging report about SSDI from the Congressional Budget Office (more in Part 2).

Dividing the debate into two camps, we have on one end of the spectrum the Sky-is-Falling group, who maintain Social Security is doomed without drastic intervention; the other side we might label as the Hogwash group, who maintain not only is the general Social Security fund in good shape but also that Sky Fallers are blowing things out of proportion in an attempt to scare people into accepting fewer benefits.

This is from poughkeepsiejournal.com (July 27), an example of the Falling Sky position:

“A recent congressional report paints a bleak picture, indeed. It says Social Security could run out of money in about 17 years, as the program now pays out more money in benefits than it collects in payroll taxes. It faces a staggering $5.3 trillion shortfall over the next 75 years, unless changes are made. No wonder a recent USA Today/Gallup Poll showed that public confidence in the system is waning.

“The solvency of Social Security affects everyone. The program, the main source of income for millions of retirees, is financed by a 6.2 percent payroll tax on wages below $106,800. The tax is paid by workers and matched by employers. Currently, 53 million Americans get Social Security benefits averaging $1,067 a month.”

The Hogwashers say that’s baloney, designed to get you riled up then despondent enough to accept less–eventually. For instance, here’s an edited version of the  Top Five Social Security Myths from MoveOn.org (read there for the full text, including footnotes and citations):

Myth: Social Security is going broke.

Reality: There is no Social Security crisis. By 2023, Social Security will have a $4.3 trillion surplus (yes, trillion with a ‘T’). It can pay out all scheduled benefits for the next quarter-century with no changes whatsoever.1 After 2037, it’ll still be able to pay out 75% of scheduled benefits–and again, that’s without any changes. The program started preparing for the Baby Boomers retirement decades ago.2 Anyone who insists Social Security is broke probably wants to break it themselves.

Myth: We have to raise the retirement age because people are living longer.

Reality: This is a red-herring to trick you into agreeing to benefit cuts. Retirees are living about the same amount of time as they were in the 1930s. The reason average life expectancy is higher is mostly because many fewer people die as children than did 70 years ago.3 What’s more, what gains there have been are distributed very unevenly–since 1972, life expectancy increased by 6.5 years for workers in the top half of the income brackets, but by less than 2 years for those in the bottom half.4 But those intent on cutting Social Security love this argument because raising the retirement age is the same as an across-the-board benefit cut.

Myth: The Social Security Trust Fund has been raided and is full of IOUs.

Reality: Not even close to true. The Social Security Trust Fund isn’t full of IOUs, it’s full of U.S. Treasury Bonds. And those bonds are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.7 The reason Social Security holds only treasury bonds is the same reason many Americans do: The federal government has never missed a single interest payment on its debts.

Myth: Benefit cuts are the only way to fix Social Security.

Reality: Social Security doesn’t need to be fixed. But if we want to strengthen it, here’s a better way: Make the rich pay their fair share. If the very rich paid taxes on all of their income, Social Security would be sustainable for decades to come.5 Right now, high earners only pay Social Security taxes on the first $106,000 of their income.6

Myth: Social Security adds to the deficit

Reality: It’s not just wrong — it’s impossible! By law, Social Security funds are separate from the budget, and it must pay its own way. That means that Social Security can’t add one penny to the deficit.1

Perhaps there is a mid-position, though. A July 30 “Your Money” column in The New York Times takes the stance that even though the long-terms threats will have to be dealt with, Social Security in the near-term is in good shape. The column takes a look at worst-case scenarios for a test-case couple and makes suggestions about increased savings. We’ll examine that and the very real problem facing SSDI in Part 2.

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Can my Social Security Disability Benefits be garnished to pay child support payments?

Friday, June 25th, 2010

To answer this question, you must determine what type of Social Security Disability benefits you are currently receiving. The Social Security Administration offers two types of disability benefits: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Supplemental Security Income or SSI is a social security disability benefit given to certain qualifying individuals including: the aged, blind and disabled who meet certain income and resource levels. Income and resource levels change each year and can be found on the Social Security Administration’s website.  Supplemental Security Income is given to these individuals for clothing, housing and food expenses.

The federal government funds Supplemental Security Income through general tax revenues not the Social Security Trust Fund.  The federal government treats Supplemental Security Income as a public welfare benefit similar to food stamps and does not consider Supplemental Security Income or SSI to be income for the purposes of child support payments. Therefore, the federal government does not allow Supplemental Security Income benefits to be garnished.

In contrast, Social Security Disability Insurance or SSDI was money paid into the Social Security Trust Fund through employment taxes based on a percentage of the employee’s earnings. The goal of the Social Security Trust Fund is to allow for the replacement of income for certain employees who become disabled and are unable to work.

According to the federal government, the Social Security Disability Income or SSDI benefit is considered a substitute for lost wages and is eligible to be garnished for child support payments. One benefit of Social Security Disability Insurance, however, is children of qualifying disabled workers who receive Social Security Disability Insurance payments may be eligible to receive Social Security Disability Insurance or SSDI benefits until a certain age (18 under most circumstances) and these SSDI payments may be subtracted from the child support amount owed.

If you have questions regarding your Social Security Disability benefit or the garnishment of you Social Security Disability benefits to pay for child support, it is important to contact a Social Security Disability Attorney who can answer all of your questions. Social Security Disability Attorneys can also answer questions about applying for Social Security Disability Benefits or help you recover any Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income benefits you may have lost.

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More Benefits of Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

Another benefit of receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is that you may qualify to receive Medicaid. It is important to remember that Medicare and Medicaid are not the same thing. Medicaid is a federally-funded, state-run program that provides medical assistance for individuals and families with limited incomes and resources. Medicaid pays for your health care costs, including doctor’s visits and eye care.

If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and you get Medicare, your state may pay your Medicare premiums if you have low income and few resources. In some cases, your state may also pay Medicare expenses like deductibles and coinsurance.

Only your state will know if you are qualified. Your state or local welfare office or Medicaid agency can tell you whether you are qualified to receive these benefits.

You also may be able to get extra help paying for the annual deductibles, monthly premiums and prescription co-payments related to the Medicare prescription drug program (Part D). You may qualify for extra help if you have limited income (tied to the federal poverty level) and limited resources. These income and resource limits change each year and are not the same as the SSI income and resource limits. You can contact Social Security for the current numbers.

If you have both Medicaid with prescription drug coverage and Medicare, Medicare and SSI, or if your state pays for your Medicare premiums, you automatically will get this extra help. You will not need to apply for it.

As you can see, there is a worthwhile monthly cash benefit that you will receive if you qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). In addition, there are the additional benefits listed above that you may qualify for because you are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI). It is certainly worth the time and effort to apply for SSI.

You may have applied and been denied for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). What can you do now? What options are open to you?

If you decide to appeal the denial by the Social Security Administration, you are probably going to need the help and advice of a good disability attorney. People who have an experienced disability lawyer are approved more often than those without an attorney.

SocialSecurityHome.com is the Web site where you can get in touch with a disability lawyer who can help you get the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits that you are entitled to.

Appealing the denial by the Social Security Administration can be a long and trying process. The disability attorney at SocialSecurityHome.com can counsel and assist you in your efforts to win your claim.

Do not put this off. Do not wait or delay. This is something that is vitally important to you and your future. Contact the disability lawyer at SocialSecurityHome.com, today.

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Separation Anxiety Disorder in Children and Receiving Social Security Disability

Friday, August 21st, 2009

You may have a child with disability who has separation anxiety disorder. This may be the cause of your child’s disability.

If this is true, you may need help. You may need financial assistance.

Have you applied for Social Security disability benefits or disability benefits for your child with disability from the Social Security Administration because of the disability caused by separation anxiety disorder? Was your child with disability denied?

If you appeal the denial by the Social Security Administration, remember this. People who are represented by a caring disability attorney like the one at socialsecurityhome.com in the appeals procedure are approved more often than those people who are not represented by a lawyer.

There is a difference between separation anxiety and separation anxiety disorder. Separation anxiety is a normal stage of development for secure, healthy babies.

It usually involves crying and distress when the baby is separated from parents or home. With the passage of time, however, the child learns to feel safe in a new environment. The child feels secure that a parent will return. Gradually the separation anxiety fades away.

On the other hand, separation anxiety disorder is excessive, age-inappropriate fear of being separated from family members. This is particularly true of being separated from parents.

Children with separation anxiety disorder are afraid of being lost to their families. Or, they are sure something bad will happen to their family members if they are separated from them. Separation anxiety disorder can inhibit or restrict a child’s normal activities to a significant degree.

Separation anxiety disorder usually begins in children who are of school age. It affects about 4% of children 6-12 and a slightly lower proportion of adolescents. Separation anxiety disorder affects girls and boys about the same

The causes of separation anxiety disorder can involve a traumatic experience a child has gone through. These are things like

§  A scary event (tornado, earthquake)

§  A serious separation (parent in the military)

§  A big change (starting a new school, birth of brother or sister)

§  Stress in the family (coming divorce, serious illness or death of family member or pet)

§  Sickness (major or minor).

The main sign or symptom of separation anxiety disorder is fear that is exaggerated out of proportion to real problems or situations. Other signs and symptoms can be physical or behavioral such as:

  • Headaches or stomachaches when they come persistently before separation from parents
  • Following parents around the house, not wanting them to be out of sight
  • Asking to sleep in bed with parents at night
  • Nightmares of parents leaving or being gone
  • Excessive worry or panic at the experience or anticipation of being away from home
  • Refusing to go to school or other activities away from home
  • Excessive worry about their own safety or that of members of the family.

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