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Economy Adds to Social Security Disability Backlog

With near record unemployment rates, many Americans have lost their healthcare coverage. This has resulted in a flood of applications to get Social Security disability payments, since accepting their benefits is the only way many people can pay for their healthcare costs.

Some people have minor injuries and conditions, and hope that they will be covered under the Social Security disability program. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), a disability must meet the following requirements:   

• It cannot be partial or short-term 
  
• It must render you incapable of doing the work you could do before 
  
• It will last either more than a year or end in death 
  
• You cannot adjust to work in any other field (according to the SSA rules)     
  

Clearly, though strict, Social Security's disability requirements are also quite broad, not naming any particular conditions. It could be for this reason that, according to bnd.com, there has been a 100% increase in Illinois's disability claims. Anyone out of work with conditions ranging from minor to major is hoping to get their medical expenses covered.  

One case that seems to have slipped through the cracks is that of double-amputee Jennifer Moore, who also has issues like a blocked urethra and upside-down kidney. Clearly, it would be difficult, if not impossible, for the sickly 21-year-old to work, but the Social Security Administration apparently doesn't see it that way. They turned down her application for Medicaid a year ago, resulting in her accumulating debt from her over 30 trips to the emergency room.  

She is not alone, as over 400,000 adults in Illinois alone have not been deemed disabled enough for Medicaid coverage, according to the article. Fortunately, the Social Security Administration recognizes the need to try to streamline its disability applications, and is attempting to do so. Parts of the hotly debated healthcare reform bill would address this issue, as certain measures seek to separate approved disabilities from Medicaid eligibility. If passed, this could result in people qualifying for Medicaid based on income rather than disability.  

If you, or a loved one, have been denied disability benefits including Medicare, it is critical that you appeal within 60 days of the notice of denial. The staff at LaVan & Neidenberg is highly trained to appeal disability claims that have been wrongfully denied by Social Security. Don't give up simply because you have been denied - contact us today at 1-888-234-5758 for a FREE evaluation of your case.     

Visit our library to learn more about the Social Security disability claims process.