Charlotte Social Security Disability Blog

What can you do if your application for SSI benefits is denied?

On behalf of Bridgman Law Offices posted in ssi supplemental security income on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.

Having a disability can make life challenging, especially financially. Sometimes simply affording the basics, such as food, shelter and clothing becomes impossible without assistance. Fortunately, individuals in Charlotte may apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a government program that provides financial benefits to qualifying applicants. It is the financial safety many need to get by day-to-day.

However, it is the unfortunate fact that oftentimes a person's initial application for SSI benefits will be denied. Fortunately, there is an appeals process that applicants can use to attempt to obtain the benefits they need. The following information describes that process, but as always, the information found on this blog is not legal advice, and readers are encouraged to seek the help they need to address their specific situation.

One-third of cancer survivors experience chronic pain, study says

On behalf of Bridgman Law Offices posted in social security disability benefits for illness on Wednesday, July 3, 2019.

Cancer survivors often go through a litany of extensive treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. And while these measures may save a person's life, that's not to say there are not long-term effects. Those in Charlotte who have survived cancer or have a loved one who has done so may already know that one possible long-term effect of cancer treatment is chronic pain.

According to a new study, one-third of those in the United States who have survived cancer still have ongoing pain, and one-sixth of those individuals find that their chronic pain stops them from engaging in daily activities. The study surveyed over 4,500 cancer survivors and found that almost 35% of them claimed they still suffered from pain most days or every day for half a year. Of those surveyed, 16% stated their pain was so extreme that it limited their everyday activities.

What happens to my SSD benefits if I want to try working?

On behalf of Bridgman Law Offices posted in social security disability on Wednesday, June 26, 2019.

A person in Charlotte who lives with a disability may find that eventually they want to try re-entering the workforce. After all, having a job can provide a person with financial security as well as provide a sense of personal satisfaction. However, they may fear that if they start working they will lose their Social Security disability benefits.

Fortunately, the Social Security Administration has a program aimed at helping people who want to try working without immediately losing their benefits. This is known as the "Ticket to Work" program. This program is available to those between the ages of 18 to 64 who receive SSD benefits and wish to attempt to return to work or who wish to enter the workforce for the first time. If a person enters the work force and is making good progress, the SSA will not immediately review the person's case to determine if the person is still disabled.

Complications from back surgery could keep you from working

On behalf of Bridgman Law Offices on Saturday, June 22, 2019.

It can be incredibly frustrating to find yourself in a physical state in which you can no longer work and provide for your family. When a physical injury or medical condition keeps you from earning a living, it can mean that you qualify for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration. Even with a serious injury, these benefits are not always easy to get.

One type of injury that may keep you from working is damage to your spinal cord. Perhaps your injury has progressively worsened over time, or maybe you suffered immediate and significant damage in an accident. Spinal cord injuries are complex, and the way they affect a person differs from case to case. Sometimes, the effects of these injuries are different from what many in North Carolina expect.

Is there a way for my SSD benefits application to be expedited?

On behalf of Bridgman Law Offices posted in social security disability on Thursday, June 20, 2019.

Once the need for Social Security disability benefits arises, most people in Charlotte find themselves facing a serious financial situation in which their disability is preventing them from being able to work and thus earn a living. Most people in these circumstances who choose to apply for SSD benefits want to see their applications approved as quickly as possible.

They may have heard, though, that being approved for SSD benefits can be a lengthy process. It is true that sometimes it can take months before a person's application for benefits is approved. It is also not unheard of for a person's initial application for benefits to be denied, necessitating an appeal.

Help for Social Security disability benefits' questions

On behalf of Bridgman Law Offices posted in social security disability on Thursday, June 13, 2019.

Every week this Charlotte-based disability benefits blog offers it readers an informative post on a different topic related to seeking and securing support from the Social Security Administration. From consultative examinations and compassionate allowances, to individual disabling conditions and dealing with claim denials, readers may have noticed that the topics that come up on this theme are extensive. A single applicant may face a multitude of challenges and questions even before they get their first payment under a Social Security program.

To this end, some may be discouraged to even begin the process since it may seem as though they must be an expert on the topic just to get started. While this is certainly not the case, practically any reader will face difficulties as they work through the preparation of their application, the inclusion of evidence, and the review of their determination once it is made.

When may a consultative examination be ordered?

On behalf of Bridgman Law Offices posted in social security disability on Thursday, June 6, 2019.

It takes a lot of work to put together a compelling and complete claim for Social Security disability benefits. Many North Carolina residents choose to use the services of attorneys who work in the field of disability benefits law to help them collect everything they need to have their claims efficiently processed. However, in some situations the applications that individuals send to the Social Security Administration may not offer enough evidence to show that the applicants suffer from disabling conditions.

When this happens applications may be asked to undergo consultative examinations. A consultative examination is a medical examination for the purposes of collecting more information about the applicant's condition. Such an examination happens with a medical provider other than the applicant's own doctor, and this can be needed for many reasons.

The autism spectrum and a person's ability to work

On behalf of Bridgman Law Offices posted in social security disability benefits for mental conditions on Thursday, May 30, 2019.

North Carolina residents may know that, in some situations, a person's brain may function in a non-standard way. When a person struggles to communicate, regulate their emotions or thrive in standard living situations, they may be diagnosed with a condition that is known as "autism spectrum disorder."

Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental condition. There are many different places on the spectrum that individuals may fall, with some having very mild effects of the condition, while others may be so impacted that they cannot function in any social settings. Autism spectrum disorders can be treated, but there is no guarantee that those treatments will allow complete support to the individuals' needs.

What are the long-term effects of a traumatic brain injury?

On behalf of Bridgman Law Offices posted in social security disability benefits for injuries on Friday, May 24, 2019.

Readers of this Charlotte disability benefits blog are asked to remember that this post does not provide any legal or medical advice. The comments made herein are informational only. Readers who have further questions about traumatic brain injuries, disability benefits, and other topics are asked to pursue them with their medical care providers and disability benefits attorneys.

A traumatic brain injury can result from any number of different causes. While car accidents and work incidents are common reasons that individuals suffer trauma to their heads, other types of accidents can result in the puncture and impact injuries that lead to traumatic brain harm. After a head injury, it may take time for a victim to fully understand the extent of their medical difficulties and disability.

What's next if your claim came back denied?

On behalf of Bridgman Law Offices on Monday, May 20, 2019.

When you learn that your claim for disability benefits came back denied, it can be devastating. You may not be able to work, and you need those benefits to help ends meet and allow you to support yourself. Even with a valid disabling condition, securing benefits can be a frustratingly difficult process.

After a denied claim, you may wonder what you should do next. It may feel like the end of the road, but there are still options available to you. Through an appeal, you can continue your pursuit of the disability benefits you need. Because this is an important endeavor, you will find it beneficial to work with an experienced North Carolina attorney before you embark on the appeals process.