Charlotte Social Security Disability Blog

What is spinal stenosis?

On behalf of Bridgman Law Offices posted in social security disability benefits for injuries on Friday, December 14, 2018.

An injury that affects a person's spine can be detrimental to their long-term health. That is because the spine, which includes the spinal cord and spinal column, affects practically every other part of the body. As the spinal cord sends brain messages through the body's network of nerves, any injuries to it or its protective spinal column can be disastrous to the rest of a North Carolina resident's system.

Spinal stenosis is a potentially dangerous condition that involves the narrowing of the spaces surrounding the spine. When space between the spinal column and the spinal cord disappears, victims of spinal stenosis may experience pressure on those nerves that are responsible for providing brain feedback to the appendages and the rest of the body. Pressure can cause the body to experience pain, weakness, balance issues, and other damaging conditions.

Inflammatory bowel disease can be a disability

On behalf of Bridgman Law Offices posted in social security disability benefits for illness on Thursday, December 6, 2018.

It is next to impossible for a person to get through their life without ever experiencing a stomach ache. Whether they come across a food that does not agree with them, ingest something that is contaminated with bacteria or simply overeat to the point of discomfort, many North Carolina residents are able to remedy their ailments with over-the-counter aids and time. However, some people suffer from chronic and debilitating digestive issues that cause getting through each day to be a challenge.

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are two disorders that cause inflammation and in some cases ulcers on the lining of various parts of the digestive tract. Together they are considered elements of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The Social Security Administration may recognize IBD as a disability because it can have a damaging and pervasive impact on a victim's life.

Do mental disorders affect children?

On behalf of Bridgman Law Offices posted in ssi supplemental security income on Thursday, November 29, 2018.

Any parent can tell you that children's moods will swing from one end of the spectrum to the other in a matter of moments. A myriad of factors can influence how happy, sad, angry or silly a child is, such as how much sleep they have received, how stimulated they are and what interactions they have had throughout the day. These variations are normal, but for some North Carolina kids, regulating emotions and feelings can be next to impossible.

Just as adults may suffer from mental conditions like anxiety, depression and intellectual deficiencies, so too can children be affected by these serious conditions. The Social Security Administration recognizes that children may be disabled by their mental conditions and therefore includes in its listing of covered conditions a section on mental conditions that can impact and disable kids.

Your functional capacity and SSDI benefits

On behalf of Bridgman Law Offices on Thursday, November 29, 2018.

If your illness or condition is making it more difficult for you to complete your duties at work, you may be entertaining the idea of applying for Social Security Disability Insurance. You have probably heard of SSDI. For example, you may have a friend or family member who is "on disability," but you may be like many who do not fully understand what it means to qualify for the program's benefits.

Disability benefits are for those who cannot work even in a reduced capacity in their normal occupation. The Social Security Administration is very careful in its evaluation of applications for SSDI, and the majority of people who apply do not obtain benefits. Many of these people simply do not qualify, but the SSA often rejects claims because applicants have difficulty navigating the complex process alone.

Amputations can disable a person in North Carolina

On behalf of Bridgman Law Offices posted in social security disability benefits for injuries on Thursday, November 22, 2018.

Amputation involves the surgical removal of a part of a person's body. Suffering an injury or illness that requires amputation can be traumatic to an individual who has enjoyed the full and complete use of their limbs and appendages. When amputation becomes a medical necessity, a person may find that they are unable to do the things that they were able to do prior to their procedure.

For example, the amputation of a North Carolina resident's leg may prevent them from walking on their own or participating in the sports they enjoyed before the removal of their leg. Depending upon the work that they have done, they may or may not be able to occupy the same position of employment that they had prior to their amputation procedure.

SSI is an option for qualifying individuals

On behalf of Bridgman Law Offices posted in ssi supplemental security income on Friday, November 16, 2018.

Life can be beautiful, but it can also be very hard. Depending upon many factors, a North Carolina resident may live their entire life without experience significant hardship, or they may come into the world experiencing significant barriers to their health and happiness. One important element that can make or break the ease of a person's life is their access to a stable income. For men and women who suffer from disabilities, finding and keeping work can be next to impossible.

Certain programs offered by the Social Security Administration may be available to qualifying individuals who cannot work due to disabilities and other limiting factors. One program, known as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), is a program that individuals who are disabled, over the age of 65, or blind may apply for if they suffer from limited financial resources. If a person's income is over a threshold limit then they may not be able to use SSI to improve their financial resources.

Get organized before filing for disability benefits

On behalf of Bridgman Law Offices posted in social security disability on Thursday, November 8, 2018.

Reaching the point in one's life where it is no longer possible to work due to a disability can be a difficult and frustrating event. However, more than the personal defeat that a North Carolina resident may feel about being unable to do a job, the stress of being unable to provide for one's self and loved ones may cause a person to experience concern and fear over their financial future. Prior to filing for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration there are some organizational steps that individuals can take to support their applications for help.

A person can first learn as much as they can about how their illness or injury is viewed by the Social Security Administration. This can include investigating whether their condition will likely be viewed as a disability per the term's definition. A disability benefits attorney can be a good resource for a person who is just getting started with their disability benefits education.

How will my income affect my SSI payments?

On behalf of Bridgman Law Offices posted in ssi supplemental security income on Thursday, November 1, 2018.

Supplemental Security Income is a form of benefits paid by the Social Security Administration. In order to receive SSI a person must qualify either through blindness, age or disability. If a person makes too much money, then they may not be eligible to receive benefits through SSI.

A number of forms of income are considered by the Social Security Administration when a person applies for SSI benefits. Any traditional income that a person makes through doing a job will count toward their income, and so will forms of unearned income. These can include but are not limited to payments from pensions, payments of interest and dividends and benefits for unemployment and disability.

Understanding the impact of a traumatic brain injury

On behalf of Bridgman Law Offices posted in social security disability benefits for injuries on Thursday, October 25, 2018.

Over the summer this Charlotte-based disability benefits legal blog offered its readers a post on how concussions may serve as the bases of claims for disability benefits. Concussions are a form of brain injury and brain injuries can range in severity from minor to life-threatening. This post will address what traumatic brain injuries are and why they may avail their sufferers to support from the Social Security Administration's disability benefits' programs.

A traumatic brain injury can occur in two different ways. The first way occurs when the brain suffers an impact, such as when the head hits a hard surface in a car accident or during a fall. The second way that they can happen is when an object penetrates the head and becomes lodged in the brain.

Does having lupus qualify you for disability benefits?

On behalf of Bridgman Law Offices on Tuesday, October 23, 2018.

Certain types of illnesses and medical conditions may keep you from working, which may leave you with significant financial concerns. It can be particularly difficult when you are dealing with an illness that is below the surface, such as one that others may not be able to see. This includes lupus, which is a type of autoimmune condition that affects various functions of the body.

While many people live and work with lupus, this may not be the case for you. Your case may be such that it impedes your ability to maintain a normal lifestyle and meet the requirements of your job. The inability to work can be a financial strain for your North Carolina family, but there are options available to you, including the option to file for disability benefits.