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May 20, 2012 – Disabled Americans across the country have been facing delays and frustration with pending Social Security disability claims for years, and the situation is especially a concern in South Florida.
According to a recent report in the Sun Sentinel, there are around 10,000 disabled patients in Broward and Palm Beach counties awaiting decisions on Social Security disability benefits.
The average wait time for a disability claim is over a year – 368 days. The South Florida disability claim wait time also surpasses the Florida state average of 354 days and the national average of 347 days.
The Social Security Administration has taken some steps to try and expedite claims of severe disability by working to enhance online claim filing, which could speed up processing times.
Even with online claim filing and more conditions considered for expedited claim processing, many disabled South Floridians are still struggling with the Social Security disability claims process delays. A Ft. Lauderdale disability attorney can help claimants prepare their forms and validate their evidence to avoid delays in processing and approval.
Contacting a Ft. Lauderdale Disability Attorney
Filing for Social Security disability benefits is complicated and time-consuming, but at LaVan & Neidenberg, P.A., our Ft. Lauderdale disability attorney team is ready for the challenge. We like to empower our clients by providing a FREE Social Security disability benefits guide so you can learn more about the process of filing for SSDI or SSI. Disability Benefits: Secrets Social Security Won’t Tell You.
When you’re ready to get started, contact The Law Offices of LaVan & Neidenberg, P.A. to begin your claim. Call today - 1-888-234-5758.
May 8, 2012 – The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced that the Social Security statement will now be available and accessible online at the Social security website.
This new version of the statement will allow eligible workers to access their earnings and benefit information without the frustration and hassle of rifling through paper documents or waiting for the SSA to send out statements.
Commissioner of Social Security, Michael J. Astrue, touted the ease of the new system’s use and its intuitive interface in a statement released on the SSA website. “The online statement provides estimates for disability and survivor benefits,” he pointed out, which makes the statement a vital tool in planning finances.
Enabling online records access also provides an additional safeguard against errors that result in overpayments or the more common underpayments.
In order to use the system, workers must go to the SSA website and provide information that clearly identifies them from the data already on file with the SSA.
Get Relief with a Social Security Disability Attorney’s Help
If you have been denied for benefits or you are unsure whether or not you are eligible for Social Security disability benefits, speak with an attorney who can answer all of your questions in a one-on-one, FREE consultation – 1-888-234-5758.
According to a report from CBS News Health Pop, mammograms may result in overdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment. If you were diagnosed with breast cancer and will be unable to work for at least 12 months, you could qualify for Social Security disability benefits.
In wake of this recent mammogram study, questions are being raised about the effectiveness of mammograms. It has been determined that some women who are diagnosed actually have tumors that are very slow-growing and may not necessarily require aggressive treatment such as surgery or chemo.
While in many cases a mammogram can detect breast cancer early, making a significant difference in the outcome, this study reveals the other side. It found that between 15% and 25% of those women diagnosed with breast cancer and aggressively treated may not have needed the debilitating treatment.
With surgery, chemo or radiation there are side effects and complications that could arise. Yet some of these complications could have been completely avoided.
The study also found that with every 2,500 screenings performed, 1 life can be saved. Yet it can also mean 6 to 10 women being overdiagnosed and unnecessarily treated.
Screening has been a concern for other cancers as well, such as prostate cancer. While it can be a life-saving measure, the negative effects should also be considered.
Contacting a Florida Social Security Disability Lawyer
If you have been diagnosed with cancer, you may be eligible for Social Security bebefits.Filing for Social Security disability benefits is complicated and time-consuming, but at LaVan & Neidenberg, P.A., our team of disability attorneys is ready for the challenge.
We like to empower our clients by providing a FREE Social Security disability guide so you can learn more about the process of filing for disability benefits. When you’re ready to get started, contact The Law Offices of LaVan & Neidenberg, P.A. to begin your claim. Our state-of-the-art, customized intake and database system means less hassle, so you can focus on what’s most important to you instead of having to spend your days wading through confusing legalese and legal red tape. Call today - 1-888-234-5758.
Effective April 21, 2012, Social Security implemented big changes that will improve the process of applying for benefits online. Before these changes, adults who chose to apply online weren't able to complete the entire process over the Internet. Instead, applicants would have had to print, sign and physically mail hard-copy authorization forms directly to Social Security. Once these new changes take effect in April 2012, adults who choose to apply online will be able to sign and submit Form SSA-827 electronically. This will make the online application process much easier because everything can be done directly via the Internet.
Each year, more than 15 million medical records are requested from Social Security disability applicants, and a signed SSA-827 must accompany each and every request. With the ability to accept these electronically signed forms, patients' claims will go through must faster. In fact, it is estimated that the application processing time will be reduced by nine days for each claim with the ability to sign release forms with the click of a button.
Find Out More from a South Florida Social Security Disability Law Firm
To learn more about electronically signing the SSA-827 during the application process and for a FREE Social Security disability guide, contact the Social Security disability team experts at LaVan & Neidenberg today – 1-954-523-3870 or 1-888-234-5758.
The Commissioner of Social Security, Michael J. Astrue, has announced 52 newly added conditions for the Compassionate Allowances Program. This program was designed to hasten disability decisions for Americans suffering from serious disabilities. Instead of having to wait months or even years for their benefit decisions, Americans with serious disabilities will be pushed through the system and benefits decisions will be made more quickly.
In 2008, the Compassionate Allowances program was launched with 50 conditions and diseases. Effective in August of this year, this list will be expanded to include 52 new conditions, such as certain cancers, rare genetic disorders in children, neurological disorders, and early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, but the advancement is not stopping there. Commissioner Astrue noted that the Social Security Administration, along with the entire medical community, is continuing to work towards adding many more conditions to this program.
Contact a South Florida Social Security Disability Law Firm
If you have any more questions about these breaking stories, believe that these new developments will affect your disability application or benefit decision in any way, or would like a FREE Social Security disability guide, contact the Social Security disability team of LaVan & Neidenberg today – 1-954-523-3870 or 1-888-234-5758.
In a report from the Los Angeles Times, when women, who are post-menopausal, take estrogen alone it may reduce the risk of breast cancer for up to 5 years. If you are unable to work for 12 months or longer due to treatment and care of cancer or any other serious health condition, this could lead to Social Security disability benefits.
Despite this new discovery, there continues to be concerns over the risks and benefits of taking hormone replacement therapy, such as estrogen. In 2002, a study of a dual hormone therapy that included estrogen and progestin was stopped after it was found the risk of breast cancer was increased. Then in 2004 another study dealing with estrogen alone was stopped with the discovery of an increased risk of blood clots and stroke.
Newer research seems to suggest that it was not the estrogen increasing the risk of breast cancer. In fact, it may have been what lowered the risk. In addition, it may even help prevent breast cancer death.
Despite these findings, it is not enough to prescribe estrogen as a way to prevent breast cancer. Especially since the risk factors of blood clots and stroke are still present.
Seeking disability benefits in Fort Lauderdale? Call a Social Security Lawyer
Filing for Social Security disability benefits is complicated and time-consuming, but at LaVan & Neidenberg, P.A., our team of disability attorneys is ready for the challenge. We like to empower our clients by providing a FREE Social Security disability guide so you can learn more about the process of filing for disability benefits.
When you’re ready to get started, contact The Law Offices of LaVan & Neidenberg, P.A. to begin your claim. Our state-of-the-art, customized intake and database system means less hassle, so you can focus on what’s most important to you instead of having to spend your days wading through confusing legalese and legal red tape. Call today - 1-888-234-5758.
Raising awareness of a cancer that affects nearly 150,000 individuals in the U.S. makes March the National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. When cancer or another type of severe medical condition leads to disability, this could qualify an individual for Social Security disability benefits. Contact a Florida disability lawyer to learn what your rights are.
The Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA) indicates that it is the second leading cause of cancer death in this nation; however, colon cancer can be prevented with screening. Starting at age 50, individuals should be screened every decade or more often, if there is a family history of it.
Early detection is important. Often, by the time symptoms become obvious the cancer has often progressed to a late stage. Look out for:
According to Chron, you should be aware of ways to avoid tax mistakes when reporting Social Security Disability Income (SSDI).
With approximately 1 million individuals in the U.S. covered under SSDI, there is a significant chance payments will be incorrectly reported on tax returns. Lump sum payments are an example. Often, the delay in receiving disability benefits results in claimants getting a lump sump amount. This may include back payments. Taxes on these may spread over past tax years using your current tax return.
This eliminates having to pay higher taxes or going through the cost and time of filing amended tax returns. The lump sum amount is included in the Form SSA-1099 in Box 3.
In general, about 50 percent of Social Security disability benefits are taxable. The amount is dependent on the beneficiary’s income sources. If the individual has grossed at least $9,550 or a couple has grossed $19,000, a tax return must be filed.
There are additional tax benefits that may be available, such as Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and other tax deductions. To fully understand your rights, you may be benefit in speaking to a tax specialist. But you may also wish to consult with a Ft. Lauderdale Social Security disability lawyer if you believe your claim or benefits aren’t being handled in the right manner.
Contacting a Ft. Lauderdale Social Security Disability Lawyer
Filing for Social Security disability benefits is complicated and time-consuming, but at LaVan & Neidenberg, P.A., our team of disability attorneys is ready for the challenge. We like to empower our clients by providing a FREE Social Security disability guide so you can learn more about the process of filing for disability benefits.
When you’re ready to get started, contact The Law Offices of LaVan & Neidenberg, P.A. to begin your claim. Our state-of-the-art, customized intake and database system means less hassle, so you can focus on what’s most important to you instead of having to spend your days wading through confusing legalese and legal red tape. Call today - 1-888-234-5758.
Medline Plusreports that new treatments are improving the quality of life and survival in heart failure patients.
On the flipside, more and more individuals in the U.S. are suffering from heart failure. Yet improvements in treating this condition are leading some experts to believe that eventually the word “failure” may be removed from this condition.
Heart failure is a medical condition in which the heart becomes weakened. As it becomes progressively worse, the ability to properly pump blood is hampered. This can make normal activities, such as walking, difficult.
Some of the symptoms of heart failure may include:
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), medical costs are significantly increased in stroke patients who suffer language impairment.
When an individual suffers a stroke, they can also develop a condition called aphasia, which causes language impairment. The cost to treat this can be an additional $1,703 within the first year of having a stroke.
This condition generally affects older stroke patients. Additionally, those who have longer hospital stays or suffer more severe strokes are at a greater risk of aphasia.
It’s estimated that every year there are approximately 100,000 stroke sufferers who struggle with deficits in language. With patients who are on Medicare, this could cause a financial burden if they reach the reimbursement cap.
Additionally, those stroke patients with aphasia also have increased rates of illness and death. This is besides the other complications that a patient could develop.
The effects of a stroke can be devastating. It can affect not only language but other functions as well. If you have become disabled from a stroke or any other serious medical condition, you could be entitled to Social Security disability benefits.
To learn what your rights are and if you should proceed with an application, seek assistance from a Florida Social Security lawyer. A lawyer may also be able to help with other aspects of the claims process.
Contacting a Florida Social Security Lawyer
Filing for Social Security disability benefits is complicated and time-consuming, but at LaVan & Neidenberg, P.A., our team of disability attorneys is ready for the challenge. We like to empower our clients by providing a FREE Social Security disability guide so you can learn more about the process of filing for disability benefits.
When you’re ready to get started, contact The Law Offices of LaVan & Neidenberg, P.A. to begin your claim. Our state-of-the-art, customized intake and database system means less hassle, so you can focus on what’s most important to you instead of having to spend your days wading through confusing legalese and legal red tape. Call today - 1-888-234-5758.