Charlotte Social Security Disability Blog

What is an intellectual disorder?

On behalf of Bridgman Law Offices posted in social security disability benefits for mental conditions on Thursday, August 16, 2018.

The American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities offers a two-part definition of what it means to suffer from an intellectual disorder. According to this group, an intellectual disorder involves limitations in a person's intellectual functioning and their adaptive behavior. While intellectual functioning has to do with a person's general intelligence, adaptive behavior has to do with how that person social and practical skills in their daily life.

Living with an intellectual disorder can be an incredible hardship for a North Carolina resident. In fact, some individuals who deal with these severe disabilities receive disability benefits from the Social Security Administration.

Help for when an injury keeps you out of work

On behalf of Bridgman Law Offices posted in social security disability benefits for injuries on Thursday, August 9, 2018.

Getting hurt and not being able to work can be very hard on a Charlotte resident. If their injury is something that they can recover from and that will eventually allow them to get back to work, they may have short-term options for getting financial help until they are back on their feet. If, though, their injury is permanent and disabling they may need a long-term option for staying financially afloat.

Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income are government benefits programs available to men and women who qualify and who have incurred disabilities. An injury may be considered a disability if keeps them from engaging in substantial gainful activity, is medically determinable, and is expected to last for at least a year.

What happens to disability benefits if I want to go back to work?

On behalf of Bridgman Law Offices posted in social security disability on Friday, August 3, 2018.

Not everyone who qualifies for and receives Social Security disability benefits will be able to go back to working for earned income. In fact, disability benefits exist in order to help men and women who have paid into the system to stay financially on their feet when disabling injuries and illnesses prevent them from holding down jobs. However, in some situations North Carolina residents who have received disability benefits may find that they want to go back to having their own careers.

Through the Social Security Administration's Ticket to Work program, some people may be able to do just that. A person who qualifies for the Ticket to Work program may be able to retain certain benefits, such as their monthly payments and their access to Medicare or Medicaid, as they seek employment and even start new jobs. The idea behind the program is that a person who is disabled is allowed to try out working to see if it is something they can do before they are required to give up the help they have attained through their disability benefits.

Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness

On behalf of Bridgman Law Offices posted in social security disability benefits for mental conditions on Saturday, July 28, 2018.

The term mental illness relates to conditions that influence the way that people think, feel and behave. According to the American Psychiatric Association almost one out of every five American adults suffers from some form of mental illness and that some mental illnesses can directly affect the way people engage with their friends, families and work environments. Depression and anxiety are two mental illnesses that many North Carolina residents may have familiarity with in their own lives; schizophrenia, however, is a less common but equally debilitating mental illness.

Schizophrenia is condition that impacts a person's ability to interpret what is happening around them. Individuals who suffer from schizophrenia may have hallucinations or may impaired thinking that puts them or others around them in danger. Although some cases of schizophrenia may be treatable, not all cases respond the same to medications.

How can you prove you have a valid disability?

On behalf of Bridgman Law Offices on Thursday, July 26, 2018.

North Carolina residents understand that individuals who are unable to work may have a valid claim to disability benefits through the Social Security Administration. If you believe your injury, medical condition or mental illness is a reason to move forward with a benefits claim, it can be beneficial for you to understand how the process works.

The SSA holds a strict view of disability, and many first time applications come back denied. As a person who needs this type of financial support, it can be helpful to understand how to prove you have a genuine disability. Understanding how this process works can help you avoid unnecessary problems and setbacks.

How often will my disability benefits be subject to review?

On behalf of Bridgman Law Offices posted in social security disability on Friday, July 20, 2018.

There is always a chance that a Charlotte resident's Social Security disability benefits will be denied upon a review after an initial approval. When a person's circumstances change, such as when they experience an improvement in their health that allows them to return to work, they may find that they no longer qualify for the support they once received from the Social Security Administration. Reviews of recipients' cases happen periodically and depending upon the outlook of the recipients' conditions their reviews can happen after a matter of months or several years.

When a person is deemed to have a disability and initially qualifies for benefits they will be assessed for how likely improvement of their condition is to occur. If improvement is considered expected then that individual may see a review of their case as soon as six months after they begin receiving benefits. The review for a person in this situation will likely be no more than a year and a half after they have been approved.

Epilepsy as a disability for SSDI benefits

On behalf of Bridgman Law Offices posted in social security disability benefits for illness on Wednesday, July 11, 2018.

Epilepsy is a serious medical condition that causes individuals who suffer from it to endure seizures. Not all cases of epilepsy are the same and two people who suffer from seizures may have very different experiences with their illnesses. A Charlotte resident who suffers from epilepsy may be able to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits if their illness is serious enough to meet the requirements of a disability.

Different types of epilepsy-related seizure issues have different disability requirements per the Social Security Administration's list of impairments. While generalized tonic-clonic seizures may occur less frequently than dyscognitive seizures over time, all individuals with epilepsy are expected to seek medical treatment for the maintenance and control of their conditions. Only if a person's epilepsy cannot be managed with treatment and they still suffer from seizures per the schedules of the Social Security Administration may they qualify for benefits.

What is a Quick Disability Determination?

On behalf of Bridgman Law Offices posted in social security disability on Thursday, July 5, 2018.

A Quick Disability Determination (QDD) is similar to a compassionate allowance. However, there are some important differences that North Carolina residents should understand that exist between the two programs. This post will address what makes QDD unique, but as with all of the other information contained on this site, readers should not take the contents of this post to be legal advice.

Depression may keep a person from holding down a job

On behalf of Bridgman Law Offices posted in social security disability benefits for mental conditions on Friday, June 29, 2018.

Most Charlotte residents have battled their own personal struggles. While some have to cope with loss or addiction, others have faced adversity imposed upon them by outside forces. One of the most misunderstood issues that a person may suffer from is depression because it is not something that others can see or necessarily understand.

What if your rheumatoid arthritis keeps you from working?

On behalf of Bridgman Law Offices on Tuesday, June 26, 2018.

North Carolina readers know that certain medical conditions could keep them from working, which means they could qualify for disability benefits. However, it is beneficial to remember that this is also the case for individuals who are suffering from internal conditions with few outside symptoms or non-fatal, but serious, medical conditions.

One medical condition that could greatly impact your ability to work and earn a living is rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis is a rather common medical condition, but RA is a particularly severe and painful disorder that could negatively impact multiple areas of your life. If you are a victim of this condition, you may find it beneficial to explore your potential right to disability benefits.