tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66023025959957825802023-11-15T11:15:23.512-08:00Social Security Disability BlogBalin Law http://www.blogger.com/profile/00209133751438280855noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602302595995782580.post-10422367366694318522014-09-08T09:39:00.000-07:002014-09-10T17:18:53.476-07:00Team mentality dominates Balin Law's case strategy in recent victories<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It’s often said winning cases is a team effort, but that “team” includes more than attorneys.<br />
<br />
“One thing we tend to focus on very heavily is the treating physician rule,” said Matt Shupe, associate attorney at Balin Law. This treating physician is often relied on to provide expert medical opinions and a detailed patient history for the disability claimant.<br />
<br />
In order to award disability benefits to the claimant, judges are required to give deference to that claimant’s doctors, provided the opinions given are supported by objective medical findings and not inconsistent with other “substantial evidence” in the record.<br />
<br />
The Social Security Administration (SSA) also employs its own physicians to provide medical opinions on a claimant, though these physicians may not have treated that claimant for nearly as long or as extensively as a primary care provider.<br />
<br />
“Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) will give more weight to the opinions of SSA’s physicians to deny an individual,” Shupe said. “In doing so, the ALJ’s decision often doesn’t include all the limitations a claimant faces as opined by SSA’s physician’s report.” This discrepancy in an ALJ’s ruling can be frustrating for clients, treating physicians, and attorneys alike.<br />
<br />
“That’s why Balin Law brings suit against the government in federal court, when appropriate,” Shupe said.“ In these instances, we have a district court judge entirely separate from the SSA that rule on whether an ALJ adequately followed the law. If we prevail, the case goes back to the SSA instructing them to apply the law properly.”<br />
<br />
Recently, Balin Law has succeeded in litigating this very issue in three recently published decisions: <em>Moretti v. Colvin</em>, <em>Matejka v. Commissioner of Social Security</em>, and <em>Hovater v. Colvin</em>.<br />
<br />
The claimant is then entitled to a new hearing, this time with the law applied properly. “More often than not, the ruling is to the tune of a different result,” Shupe said.<br />
<br />
</div>
Balin Law http://www.blogger.com/profile/00209133751438280855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602302595995782580.post-9769925376753653462014-09-02T11:15:00.000-07:002014-09-02T11:16:08.989-07:00Balin attorneys use "congressional interest" to aid clients<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">While the federal government offers multiple programs for
disability compensation, bureaucracy can be a challenging obstacle to overcome
when awaiting a decision on a case. In these situations, any time a constituent
feels like they’re getting a raw deal, they can contact their congressperson
and have a pending case marked as one of “congressional interest.”</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">When a case is flagged with “congressional interest,” three
things happen:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The Social Security Administration (SSA) must
give high priority to inquiries received from members of Congress and their
staff.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The SSA must respond to congressional inquiries
promptly, accurately and courteously.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The SSA must communicate any concern about a
particular congressional inquiry to the congressperson.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“The local SSA field offices have to report to their bosses
every 60 days to show how the inquiry is being addressed,” said Matt Shupe,
associate attorney at Balin Law. “If such reports aren’t made or if they have a
surplus of these inquiries from a certain region, the SSA is able to follow up
with those regions to ensure proper care is provided for applicants.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Balin has had positive experiences in the past with
congressional interest, noting that the SSA has responded promptly to the
requests they filed.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“I just had a case we won at the federal court level,” said
Shupe, who was waiting between four and six months for even a single document
to change hands between the court and the SSA. “We contacted Representative Jim
Renacci and asked the case be looked into to make sure it gets remanded as
expediently as possible, which it did.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Balin litigation attorney Andrew November remembers a case
that was pending for four years since the filing date.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">“That wasn’t unheard of,” November said of the four-year
time frame. “But by flagging that case as one of congressional interest, it was
nice just to get someone involved. Congresspeople represent a pool of constituents,
but most people don’t ever contact their representative. It’s an option for
someone to get their representative involved.”</span><br />
<br />
The House of Representatives website offers a handy tool to <a href="http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/" target="_blank">find your congressperson by ZIP code</a>, but we've compiled a list below for all our office locations.<br />
<br />
<strong>Mentor/Ashtabula</strong><br />
<a href="http://joyce.house.gov/" target="_blank">Dave Joyce</a> - 440.352.3939 (Painesville Office)<br />
<br />
<strong>Lorain</strong><br />
<a href="http://jordan.house.gov/" target="_blank">Jim Jordan</a> - 419.999.6455 (Lima Office)<br />
<br />
<strong>Canton</strong><br />
<a href="http://renacci.house.gov/index.cfm/request-a-meeting" target="_blank">Jim Renacci</a> - 440.882.6779 (Parma Office)<br />
<br />
<strong>Toledo</strong><br />
<a href="http://www.kaptur.house.gov/" target="_blank">Marcy Kaptur</a> - 419.259.7500 (Lorain Office)<br />
<br />
<strong>Cleveland/Akron</strong><br />
<a href="http://fudge.house.gov/#dialog" target="_blank">Marcia Fudge</a> - 216.522.4900 (Cleveland Office)<br />
<br />
<strong>Youngstown</strong><br />
<a href="http://timryan.house.gov/" target="_blank">Tim Ryan</a> - 330.740.0193 (Youngstown Office)<br />
<br />
<strong></strong><br />
</div>
Balin Law http://www.blogger.com/profile/00209133751438280855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602302595995782580.post-28218690167191314002014-08-23T12:29:00.002-07:002014-08-30T07:26:02.588-07:00Ohio Medicaid expansion aids Balin Law clients<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Earlier this year, Ohio Governor John Kasich expanded
Medicaid eligibility for all state residents, adding to several existing
financial assistance programs Balin Law clients can apply for while waiting for
a ruling on their case.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Prior to the Medicaid expansion, Medicaid eligibility was
provided to those with minor children or those found “disabled” by the Ohio
Department of Job and Family Services. With the expansion Medicaid is now
provided to individuals with income below 140% of the federal poverty
guidelines. In signing up for the expanded Medicaid program, applicants have to
mark whether or not they are “disabled.” If they mark no, a determination is
made strictly upon financial eligibility. And if they mark yes, their
application is processed through the existing Department of Job and Family
Services program.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Balin Law associate attorney Matt Shupe called the expansion
a positive, one that's brought a lot of Balin’s clients off the streets – with
a catch. “The definition of ‘disabled’ is wide ranging to say the least,” Shupe
said. “The Social Security Administration, Americans with Disabilities Act, and
Bureau of Workers Compensation all have different definitions of ‘disabled.’
What ‘disabled’ means under the Ohio Medicaid expansion remains unclear and
this lack of clarity makes it difficult to advise clients as to what Medicaid
program to apply for.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #222222;">Even though so many programs share the same or similar
requirements, qualifying for both state and federal programs isn't always easy.</span>
<span style="color: #222222;">A lot of times, judges don't give deference to
other agency findings.</span> <span style="color: #222222;">“They'll rule the
findings of other government agencies are not controlling on their court,” said
Balin litigation attorney Andrew November. “So many of these programs don't
allow a basic narrative to articulate how an individual met the Social Security
disability definition and how that was applied to the medical and objective
findings.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #222222; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Shupe, November and the entire Balin team have extensive
experience navigating these cross-court deliberations, serving as staunch
advocates for their clients. </span></span></div>
</div>
Balin Law http://www.blogger.com/profile/00209133751438280855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602302595995782580.post-14502533236849283332014-08-11T08:18:00.000-07:002014-08-11T08:18:15.656-07:00SSI candidates turn to Balin Law, MetroHealth for help<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We understand people sometimes find themselves in difficult
situations – financially, physically, emotionally or otherwise. It’s our
privilege to advocate for them. People who are disabled and have limited
resources but not enough of a work history to qualify for Social Security
Disability Insurance (SSDI) may qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
The Social Security Administration site is a great resource for SSI
information, like </span><a href="http://www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-over-ussi.htm"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: blue;">this SSI overview page</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> and this page on </span><a href="http://www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-resources-ussi.htm"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: blue;">resources the administration considers when
applying for SSI</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“If you have too much in assets, you don’t qualify for this
program which is an additional hurdle,” said Andrew November, associate
attorney at Balin Law. “With SSDI, you just have to be disabled.” Some assets,
like the home you live in or the land it’s on, grants, and personal effects
aren’t counted as a resource, but items like cash, stocks, or “deemed
resources” are taken into account during the approval process. “There’s a
‘deeming chart’ that’s used,” said November. “The SSA uses mathematical
formulas based on the size of the house and the source of the income for
children and from spouse-to-spouse.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Separate from the assets portion of a case is a client’s access to
medical care. “It’s always a large concern,” associate attorney Matthew Shupe
said of Balin’s clients. “That involves a lot of education from our staff and
attorneys regarding what our clients’ options are for subsidized or free
physical and mental healthcare in their area, be that through Medicaid or a
financial means-based charity program through various hospital systems in the
area.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">With the expansion of Medicaid in Ohio only occurring in January
2013, many of Balin’s clients have turned to the MetroHealth System for health
care. “This is the only treatment option for a lot of people,” November said. MetroHealth’s
financial assistance program </span><a href="http://www.metrohealth.org/financial-assistance"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: blue;">helps patients pay for health care costs</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, while their shuttle service allows
patients to be transported to and from various MetroHealth locations.“ Having
limited resources means limited access to medical care,” November said. It
doesn’t mean you have limited access to us. Balin Law is here to help – </span><a href="http://www.balinlaw.com/contact-mentor-lawyer.html"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: blue;">click here</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> for our contact information and
call today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">MetroHealth
Phone Numbers<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Transportation Service - </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">216-778-5258<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Financial Assistance - <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">216-957-2325<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Switchboard - </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">216-778-7800<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For a complete list of MetroHealth
contact information, click </span><a href="http://www.metrohealth.org/for-patients-and-visitors/your-stay/important-numbers"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Balin Law http://www.blogger.com/profile/00209133751438280855noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602302595995782580.post-40850845271017778932014-08-01T13:53:00.000-07:002014-08-01T13:53:47.476-07:00Partnerships with VA, healthcare providers and veteran facilities critical to Balin's success<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Over the past several years, Balin Law owner Paulette Balin presented at various healthcare providers and veteran facilities, ensuring the firm works closely with nurse practitioners, case workers and veterans themselves to build critical relationships that better serve clients and their cases.<br />
<br />
“It’s so satisfying to see these health care providers that treat our clients so engaged and interested in what we do in the same way we’re so indebted to veterans and their services,” said Matt Shupe, associate attorney at Balin. “It’s crystal clear how committed they are to their patients.”<br />
<br />
Shupe and his team share the same commitment to clients, using every tool at their disposal and exhausting every resource to hopefully earn a win on their clients’ behalf.<br />
<br />
“Over-prepare for everything,” Shupe said of Balin’s winning strategy. “Spend more time than it takes. You need to know the case better than the client, the judge and, any experts combined. If you can convey that that is your level of knowledge, it builds confidence in yourself and in the client, too.”<br />
<br />
With veteran disability cases, Balin’s attorneys also seek out narrative statements from an individuals’ treating physician citing any physical limitations that support the clients’ claim and the physicians’ own treatment notes.”<br />
<br />
Even with all those tools, representation for disabled veterans is newer territory.<br />
<br />
When Andrew November, a litigation attorney at Balin, started at the firm in 2009 he found very few attorneys in the state of Ohio even represented veterans.<br />
<br />
“The backlog and volume for these veterans to get representation was incredibly frustrating,” November said. “Using our experience as disability attorneys, we thought it would be a natural transition to start representing veterans.”<br />
<br />
The VA hasn’t had the high level of development that programs like Social Security have, making partnerships between firms and the VA challenging. This is largely attributed to most employees’ inexperience working with attorneys and the sheer amount of cases they're asked to address daily.<br />
<br />
“The VA regional office in Cleveland Ohio handles all claims for the state of Ohio,” November said.“Compare that to the abundance of Social Security offices that are used to breaking up the case load, working with attorneys and supplying documents to us.”<br />
<br />
Still, Balin hasn’t let the challenges in working with the VA dissuade them from working to build a meaningful and collaborative partnership.<br />
<br />
“What our firm decided to do was learn as much as we can about the law now,” November said. “If we continue to make ourselves known to the VA, we can be better known for representing our country’s veterans on a larger scale."</div>
Balin Law http://www.blogger.com/profile/00209133751438280855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602302595995782580.post-44254757322345692902014-07-26T12:41:00.001-07:002014-07-26T12:44:44.432-07:00Balin meets challenges facing disabled veterans head-on<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Following the May <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/shinseki-apologizes-for-va-health-care-scandal/2014/05/30/e605885a-e7f0-11e3-8f90-73e071f3d637_story.html" target="_blank">resignation of Erik Shinseki</a>, former head of the Department of Veterans Affairs, some wondered
how such a broken health care system that left thousands of veterans in the
dust could even be repaired.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Answers may take time to find,
but the flaws in the VA are more apparent than ever.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“We see delays at every point of
the appeals process right now for veterans applying for service-connected
disability,” said Matt Shupe, associate attorney at Balin Law. This
compensation program provides a tax free monetary benefit paid to veterans with
disabilities that are the result of a disease or injury incurred or aggravated during
active military service.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Compensation may also be paid for
post-service disabilities that are considered related or secondary to
disabilities occurring in service and for disabilities presumed to be related
to circumstances of military service, even though they may arise after service.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The primary difficulty
representing veterans for Balin is the backlog of cases before the Department
of Veterans Affairs. With already longstanding delays faced by veterans
claiming service-connected disabilities, the culmination of two major and
recent conflicts is only adding to the wait time every veteran and their
representative must face.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“There’s an enormous backlog,”
Shupe said. “It’s very overwhelming to them as it is to all our clients.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
When a veteran approaches Balin
Law for assistance, they have already waited for a determination on their claim
and have been denied. This is because attorneys are prohibited from receiving a
fee for representing veterans in service-disconnected disability compensation
cases until the veteran has been denied at least once. As a result, veterans must
often navigate an extremely complex field of law without the assistance of a
licensed attorney for months or years.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Balin Law uses every tool at its
disposal and exhausts every resource to ensure the veteran is in the best position
possible when the time comes to have their case adjudicated.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“The key is to over-prepare for
everything,” Shupe said of Balin’s winning strategy. “Spend more time than it
takes. You need to know the case better than the client, the judge and, any expert
combined. If you can convey that that is your level of knowledge, it builds
confidence in yourself and in the client, too.”<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Balin Law http://www.blogger.com/profile/00209133751438280855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602302595995782580.post-91736532253678883872014-07-21T12:26:00.000-07:002014-07-21T12:26:46.123-07:00Balin’s winning strategy pays off<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Disability in America</strong><br />The increased prevalence of disability in the U.S. today cannot be overstated. According to the Social Security Administration, disability claims in 2013 totaled 2,640,100 – nearly twice as many as in 2000.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />“We’re faced with a time when the baby boomer generation has been aging out,” said Matt Shupe, associate attorney at Balin Law. “Those who have performed manual labor in particular, their bodies tend to start wearing out from 54 onwards. They have a great deal of pride in their work, but also a great deal of fear with what they can do in their fifties until they meet the qualifications for SSDI.”<br />
<br />Complicating that fear is the constant attack on federal disability programs, which are often – mistakenly – listed as entitlements.<br />
<br />“The SSDI program is just an insurance policy,” he said. “These individuals are paying a premium on this policy, which comes in the form of FICA taxes taken out of paychecks.”<br />
<br />With SSDI claims, Balin provides clients with a questionnaire to fill out then files the application online. This saves valuable time and gives relief to clients knowing the application process is seamless.<br />
<br />Even after an application is filed, there can be a lengthy approval process due to the increase in baby boomers, the recent fiscal crisis and the diminished number of hours federal employees have to process these claims.<br />
<br />“We’re talking a year or two – or more – in particular cases, especially when issues are more mental than physical,” Shupe said. “It's easy to look at an injury and say, ‘This femur has been rebuilt.’ It’s a very different evaluation process for mental disabilities.”<br />
<br />Thankfully, Balin’s standard of excellence and history of winning cases sets the bar for ensuring this process goes as smoothly and painlessly as possible.<br />
<br /><strong>Balin’s winning strategy</strong><br />
<br />“We take the hard cases,” Shupe said. “A lot of firms would look at a client and say, ‘This person’s in their thirties, sporadic work history, criminal record, or issues with alcohol or substance abuse – no way we can take this on.’ We would be an advocate for that client if we thought we could develop the facts and if the claimant was compliant with medical treatment.”<br />
<br />Balin’s focus on a cohesive, team-oriented approach helps clients not only win cases, but educates them about subsidized medical care programs like Medicaid for the disabled, disability cash assistance, and hospital financial aid programs.<br />
<br />This approach extends to clients with mental disabilities, too.<br />
<br />“There needs to be great communication between our staff, our attorneys and the mental health care providers,” Shupe said. “A lot of times this involves getting opinions from the treating psychologists and psychiatrists and nurses who see this person to rebut the opinion of one-time SSA consultants who see the client and evaluate them for maybe twenty minutes, at most an hour.”<br />
<br />Balin also takes time to sit down with case managers and case workers to make sure a client understands an appeal is due and that new case notes and progress notes from physicians are in their file.<br />
<br />Additionally, clients are assigned a member of Balin’s staff to help put their mind at ease throughout the entire process, and the firm’s tireless attitude certainly accomplishes that.<br />
<br />“It's about managing expectations,” Shupe said. “You hire an attorney not necessarily to speed the process up but to make sure everything gets done right. Most places, five o'clock comes around and you're clocked out,” Shupe said. “Then there are people like us, where work is always on our mind. We do whatever it takes to properly win the case for our clients as early as we can.”</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
Balin Law http://www.blogger.com/profile/00209133751438280855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602302595995782580.post-32150964971041503782013-09-17T06:34:00.001-07:002013-09-17T06:35:35.184-07:00Tools of the Trade for Disability Representatives<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
With so much technology now on-hand for so many different
aspects of our daily lives, it should come as no surprise that it plays a heavy
roll in the work of Social Security disability representatives. SSA has made
several tools available online that help them closely monitor and develop your
disability claim.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Electronic Records
Express (“ERE”)</u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This program can be used by anyone who is going through, or
helping someone go through, a disability claim. If you have a computer and a
scanner, you can submit medical records and other correspondence directly to
SSA through this designated website.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The ERE website accepts medical records, representative
correspondence, claimant correspondence, school records, representative briefs,
requests for hearing postponement or change in location, address changes, and
forms SSA sends to claimants for completion, which often include their own
barcode that must be used.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
During all stages of claim adjudication, a disability claimant
is issued a paper barcode. This is placed on top of whatever document you are
scanning to submit. On the barcode itself are codes you would type where
prompted on the website. Once you submit the information, it is received by SSA
immediately and exhibited in your exhibit file. You also get a confirmation you
can print out and keep with your submission.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Electronic Folders</u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the past, attorneys relied on paper exhibit files that
must be copied from a claimant’s master file kept by Social Security. Your
exhibit file contains your entire procedural history, notes made by SSA
employees regarding your claim, your correspondence with SSA, and your medical
records. Paper files were time-consuming (and paper-consuming!) to obtain, and
if there was a problem with SSA’s copy machine, you were out of luck until it
was repaired.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Later, SSA began sending representatives exhibit files on
CD’s that could be opened on a computer. These were troublesome, however. If
the SSA employee who made the disc did not do it correctly, it will not open
and a new disc would have to be requested. Sometimes SSA would mail the discs
and the representative would never receive it – very troublesome when you are
dealing with an impending hearing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today, your exhibit file can be obtained by your
representative through another dedicated website, Appointed Representative
Services. Once requested, the file is ready for viewing within 48 hours. It can
be downloaded for easy viewing into PDF form, so your representative can view
your entire file on a computer or tablet. If your representative has Adobe Pro,
he or she can also make electronic notes on the exhibit file. Now instead of
lugging a big paper file to court (which can sometimes be over 1,000 pages),
your representative can bring up particular exhibits with ease in the
courtroom. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="text-decoration: none;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Hearing Office and
Appeals Council Status Reports</u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Instead of calling the hearing offices or the Appeals
Council of Social Security to check the status of your claim, your
representative can now download a report that tells him or her exactly what is
going on with your claim.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hearing office reports can tell the representative what
Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) is assigned to your case, if a hearing has been
scheduled yet, where it will take place, and how close the ALJ is to issuing a
decision after a hearing is held.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since the Appeals Council can take anywhere from 15 to 18
months to review an ALJ’s decision, the Appeals Council Status Reports are
particularly helpful. These can tell a representative is an analyst has been
assigned, if the case is being worked up, or if a decision has been made. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The great thing about these tools is, by making the more
mundane tasks of developing a disability claim easier, your representative can
dedicate greater time to the real meat of your case. Our office staff in
particular is well-versed in these tools that SSA offers, and we look forward
to continuing to serve our clients in the most efficient capacity possible!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Written by Anna Westfall</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Help is just right around the corner! We are <span style="font-size: xx-small;">conveniently located in<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Mentor, Cleveland, Akron, <span style="font-size: xx-small;">Canton, Lorain Youngstown, Toledo and Ashtabula</span></span></span>. Click <a href="http://www.balinlaw.com/">H</a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.balinlaw.com/">ERE </a>for more information!</span></span></div>
</div>
Balin Law http://www.blogger.com/profile/00209133751438280855noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602302595995782580.post-77221343578118990392013-08-26T05:57:00.000-07:002013-08-26T05:57:50.121-07:00No Insurance? No Problem!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
In order to prove disability, SSA must have access to your
medical records. However, many claimants find themselves in a position where,
due to the loss of employment, they do not have sufficient insurance coverage
and/or funds to see their doctors and generate those much-needed medical
records. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are other options, however. It may take some
persistence, but when it comes to proving disability, finding some type of
medical treatment is critical if a claimant wants to prevail and obtain the
benefits they need to survive.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hospital Rating
Systems</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the Cleveland area, hospitals like MetroHealth Medical
Center have a rating system for patients who cannot afford care. MetroHealth’s
website states that they will provide certain basic medically necessary hospital
services, as long as the patient is a resident of the state of Ohio, is not
currently receiving Medicaid, and meets <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/13poverty.cfm">Federal Poverty Guidelines</a></span>
in regards to income. The hospital also covers other services for Ohioans who
are at or below 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many major hospitals have similar programs for low income
families and adults. Contact your local hospital and ask to speak with the
financial assistance department to find out if they offer this type of help.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Free Clinics</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most major cities also have area free clinics that offer
many basic services for free or very low cost. Free clinics are typically
funded by local donations and are often staffed by student doctors. Most free
clinics offer acute, non-emergent care. Some offer on-going preventative care
and even dental care. Free clinics are open to anyone who lacks insurance,
and/or do not qualify for Medicare or Medicaid.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you are unsure if there is a free clinic in your area,
visit <a href="http://www.needymeds.org/free_clinics.taf">http://www.needymeds.org/free_clinics.taf</a>
, which lists free clinics by state.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Health Department</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Similar to free clinics, your local health department may
offer either basic low-cost or free medical care. Here in Cleveland, the health
department boasts three wellness clinics that offer access to free vaccinations
for children, free lead screenings, pregnancy tests, TB tests, family planning
and HIV testing. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The phone number to your local health department can usually
be found in the phone book, and most government agencies have websites online
explaining the services they provide as well as their contact information.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Drug Store</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It has become a recent trend for drug stores, such as
Walgreens and CVS, to start offering some basic services right within their
store. Most of these mini-clinics can diagnose, treat, and write prescriptions
for common family illnesses, provide routine vaccinations and lab tests, as
well as treat minor wounds, abrasions and sprains (<a href="http://www.minuteclinic.com/">minuteclinic.com</a>). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most services for people without insurance cost under
$100.00, and the clinics are staffed by certified nurse practitioners. Check
out the costs and services CVS offers <a href="http://www.minuteclinic.com/services/"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">here</b></a>. See what Walgreens has to offer by clicking <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.walgreens.com/topic/pharmacy/healthcare-clinic/price-menu.jsp"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">here</b></a>.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No matter where you decide to treat, it is a great favor you
do for yourself to have the conditions that disable you not only properly
treated, but well-documented by a healthcare professional. This is how SSA sees
what’s really going on in your disability claim. If you require further
assistance seeking treatment in relation to your disability claim, <a href="http://balinlaw.net/contact-mentor-lawyer.html"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">contact us today</b></a><span style="color: #0070c0;"> </span>to find out
how we can help.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Written by Anna Westfall</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">We do whatever it takes to win your case!! If you live near Akron, Canton, Youngstown, Lorain, Toledo, Cleveland, Ashtabula or Mentor (or even if you don't!), <a href="http://www.balinlaw.com/">contact us today</a> to find out how we can help you!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
Balin Law http://www.blogger.com/profile/00209133751438280855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602302595995782580.post-67065474592410415042013-08-15T11:19:00.001-07:002013-08-15T11:21:22.416-07:00So, How is SSA Doing?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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There has been a lot of press lately regarding the financial health of the Social Security Administration. On May 31st, 2013, SSA issued a press release stating that the combined assets of the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance, and Disability Insurance Trust Funds are projected to become depleted in 2033, with 77 percent of benefits still payable at that time. The Disability Insurance Trust Fund will become depleted in 2016, with 80 percent of benefits still payable. <br />
<br />
Obviously this is worrisome to just about all of us – those of us currently collecting benefits and dependent on that income, as well as those of us who may need to rely on receiving some type of benefit in the future. <br />
<br />
Polls have been conducted throughout the general populous to get an idea of what Americans think of the SSA’s current financial state and what should be done about it. Selzer & Company conducted the Bloomberg National Poll between February 15th and 18th of 2013 and asked 1,003 adults several questions pertaining to what they thought about the current health of SSA. One question asks, “How certain are you that Social Security will be there if you need it in retirement?” The Americans polled were almost 50/50 on this one: 39% of people polled said SSA will probably be there, while 30% responded it probably won’t be there. A smaller percentage of Americans responded that it will definitely be there – 15% - while a similar number of Americans said SSA will definitely not be there – 13%. A small percentage – 3% - remained unsure. <br />
<br />
Interestingly, even though most Americans polled believed SSA would either probably or definitely be there when they needed it; most Americans polled also believed a major overhaul would be necessary to reduce the deficit the agency faces. While 39% of Americans polled stated that it was not necessary, 51% felt it was needed while 10% remained unsure. <br />
<br />
Another question asks, “Do you favor or oppose reducing the cost-of-living adjustment that automatically increases the amount of benefits Social Security pays out to help the program remain financially secure?” Americans polled responded with an overwhelming 64% that they would favor this reduction. <br />
<br />
With the new data that was released in May, it would be interesting to know whether the opinions of those polled have changed. One factor that is not disclosed in this poll, and would be interesting to note, is whether any of these Americans polled are already receiving benefits? A dependence on the income Social Security provides would surely color the opinion of a person giving these answers. A major overhaul may be warranted, and the cost-of-living increase may require some adjusting, but at what cost? In 2012, an estimated 57 million people received over $775 billion dollars of benefits. That’s a lot of people and a lot of money. It may be enough for some to live comfortably, but not nearly enough for others to scrape by. According to ssa.gov, the average monthly benefit is $1,269.00. <br />
<br />
It begs the question of who would be affected by what choice? If a major overhaul is executed, will anyone suffer? On the other hand, if it is not done, will the suffering come down on us all? This problem could potentially be avoided by moving funds from the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance fund to the Disability Insurance Trust fund. SSA has done this many times in the past as the amount of disabled workers vs. retired workers has waxed and waned. If Congress has known that this problem was approaching, why wouldn’t they take this proactive step? Without this transfer, only 80% of benefits will be payable to disability recipients. With many disabled people already on tight budgets, how will this decrease affect them? <br />
<br />
This is an important question the decision-makers at SSA must strongly consider for the well-being of this country and its people. Thousands of people – our friends, family member and coworkers - have been saved from destitute poverty and even death by the receipt of much-needed Social Security benefits. Let us, as the American people, who either now depend or may come to depend on programs such as these, continue to let our voices be heard so the choice that is made is in the best interest of us all. </div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
Written by Anna Westfall & edited by Attorney Andrew November <br />
<br />
<br />
Need someone on your side during these troubling times? Chances are we are right around the corner from where you live. We have offices in Akron, Canton, Youngstown, Toledo, Mentor, Lorain and Ashtabula for your convenience. Click <a href="http://balinlaw.net/">HERE</a> for more information!</div>
Balin Law http://www.blogger.com/profile/00209133751438280855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602302595995782580.post-50050389678270723762013-07-08T10:01:00.000-07:002013-07-08T10:02:50.531-07:00H.R. 1502 and Your Disability Benefits<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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As the months go by, and Bob finds his arthritis seems to be
getting worse. He has a harder time getting around and doing simple things like
opening jars. After a visit with his doctor, the doctor tells Bob that perhaps
he should consider filing for disability. Bob’s doctor is concerned that he
would have a hard time going back to work as a machinist.</div>
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This puts Bob in an unusual situation. Bob wants to go back
to work, but no one is calling him in response to his job applications, and his
doctor warns if he goes back to strenuous work such as a machinist he may not
be able to perform like he used to.</div>
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So, what is Bob supposed to do?</div>
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Fortunately, Bob can apply for disability while he is
receiving his unemployment benefits and still seeking work. However, Congress
might be putting and end to this option soon.</div>
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The purpose of H.R. 1502 is “to amend title II of the Social
Security Act to prevent the concurrent receipt of unemployment benefits and
Social Security disability insurance, and for other purposes.” Also known as
the “Double Dip Elimination Act,” should this bill become law, it will prevent
people like Bob from collecting disability benefits for any month in which he
was receiving unemployment. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Those months in which a person is collecting unemployment
would be considered the same as engaging in substantial gainful activity (SGA),
a term used by SSA to describe a certain monthly amount earned by working. The
current SGA amount for non-blind individuals is $1,040.00. </div>
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This basically means that people like Bob may have to choose
either one route (collecting unemployment and seeking work) or the other
(seeking disability). If someone in Bob’s position does collect unemployment
while seeking disability, any months in which unemployment was received will
disqualify him from any disability benefits he may be entitled to for those
months. </div>
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This is particularly disheartening when you take into
consideration the amount of past-due medical bills most disability claimants
are faced with. Many awarded-claimants rely on their back-benefits to catch up
on these bills, as well as the mortgage, credit card bills and auto loans.</div>
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A memorandum released by the Social Security Administration
to Regional Chief Judges on November 15<sup>th</sup>, 2006, references Supreme
Court case <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cleveland v. Policy Management
Systems Corp </i>and states:</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The Court noted
that, under the presumptions embodied in our five-step sequential evaluation
process, a person can qualify for Social Security disability benefits even
though he or she remains capable of performing some work. Similar logic applies
to applications for unemployment benefits.</div>
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“In addition, it is often uncertain whether we will find a
person who applies for unemployment benefits ultimately to be disabled under
our rules, and our decision-making process can be quite lengthy. Therefore, it
is SSA’s position that individuals need not choose between applying for
unemployment insurance and Social Security disability benefits.”</div>
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While it can be argued that collecting unemployment benefits
while telling the government you can’t work is contradictory, there are
exceptions to the rule, such as in Bob’s case.</div>
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The ultimate purpose of H.R. 1502, according to
Representative Johnson, Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, is to save
our country $1 billion over the course of ten years. This may be the case, but
at what cost to the individual benefit claimant? We still have a chance to tell
Congress what we think of this bill. Write to your Congressman today and voice
your opinion on H.R. 1502 before it is voted into law.</div>
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<i>Written by Anna Westfall</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Are you feeling overwhelmed by information such as this while your disability claim is pending? Our knowledgeable staff will put your mind at ease. Chances are we are located in your hometown: Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Youngstown, Toledo, Lorain, Mentor and Ashtabula. Learn more by clicking <a href="http://www.balinlaw.com/">here</a>, and send us an email so we can start helping you TODAY!<i></i></span></div>
</div>
Balin Law http://www.blogger.com/profile/00209133751438280855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602302595995782580.post-74301324827934634782013-06-25T08:15:00.000-07:002013-06-25T08:16:25.148-07:00“You WILL Get Through This!” 10 Inspirational Quotes For People Struggling with Disability<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“When you focus on someone's disability you'll overlook their abilities, beauty and uniqueness. Once you learn to accept and love them for who they are, you subconsciously learn to love yourself unconditionally.” <br />-- Yvonne Pierre<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I am conscious of a soul-sense that lifts me above the narrow, cramping circumstances of my life. My physical limitations are forgotten- my world lies upward, the length and the breadth and the sweep of the heavens are mine!” <br />-- Helen Keller<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“The worst disability in life is a bad attitude.” <br />-- </span></span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2755094.SupaNova_Slom"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">SupaNova Slom</span></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">"It is a waste of time to be angry about my disability. One has to get on with life and I haven't done badly. People won't have time for you if you are always angry or complaining." – </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"><br /><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">-- </span></span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Stephen Hawking</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“The world has a fast-growing problematic disability, which forges bonds in families, causes people to communicate in direct and clear ways, cuts down meaningless social interaction, pushes people to the limit with learning about themselves, whilst making them work together to make a better world. It’s called Autism – and I can’t see anything wrong with it, can you? Boy I’m glad I also have this disability!” <br />-- Patrick Jasper Lee <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“One's dignity may be assaulted, vandalized and cruelly mocked, but cannot be taken away unless it is surrendered.”</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"><br /><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">-- </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Michael J. Fox<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">“</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Just because a man lacks the use of his eyes doesn't mean he lacks vision.</span></span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">”<br />-- </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Stevie Wonder<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">"We know that equality of individual ability has never existed and never will, but we do insist that equality of opportunity still must be sought." <br />-- Franklin D. Roosevelt </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“We, the one's who are challenged, need to be heard. To be seen not as a disability, but as a person who has, and will continue to bloom. To be seen not only as a handicap, but as a well intact human being.”<br />-- Robert M. Hensel <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Hold my hand and walk with me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">We must break the back of social inequity;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">We must empower every individual with a disability<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">To live with dignity in an inclusive society.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">-- William E. Lightbourne<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
<em><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Compiled by Anna Westfall</span></em><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">You don't have to struggle alone! If you are disabled and fighting for your benefits, we can help. We are located in your hometown: Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Youngstown, Toledo, Mentor, Lorain and Ashtabula. Call or email us today by clicking </span><a href="http://www.balinlaw.com/"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">here!</span></a></span>Balin Law http://www.blogger.com/profile/00209133751438280855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602302595995782580.post-5525096183353025092013-06-12T10:47:00.000-07:002013-06-12T10:49:39.355-07:00The Consequences of Failure to Follow Prescribed Treatment<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you are currently in the process of a Social Security disability claim, you probably understand how important it is to receive medical treatment and generate medical records for disability adjudicators to review. However, the truth is what is contained within those records is what’s really important.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">According to SSR-82-59, the failure to follow treatment prescribed to you by your doctor could result in the prevention of benefits being payable to you, or cessation of benefits should you already be receiving them. The ruling states:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Individuals with a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">disabling impairment </i>which is amenable to treatment that could be expected to restore their ability to work must follow the prescribed treatment to be found under a disability, unless there is justifiable cause for the failure to follow such treatment.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In order to identify a failure to follow treatment, all of the following conditions must exist:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The evidence establishes<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that the individual’s impairment precludes engaging in any substantial gainful activity (SGA) or, in the case of a disabled widow(er) that the impairment meets or equals the Listing of Impairments in Appendix 1 of Regulations No. 4 Subpart P; and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 5.5in 436.5pt 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The impairment has lasted or is expected to last for 12 continuous months from onset of disability or is expected to result in death; and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 5.5in 436.5pt 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Treatment which is clearly expected to restore capacity to engage in any SGA (or gainful activity, as appropriate) has been prescribed by a treating source, and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 5.5in 436.5pt 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The evidence of record discloses that there has been a refusal to follow prescribed treatment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once the “failure” is identified, SSA must then determine whether or not the failure is justifiable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">First, SSA must determine if the prescribed treatment was recommended by a physician who is actually attending to the claimant’s medical needs. In other words, this person cannot be a consultative examiner seen on one occasion. Hospitals, clinics or other medical facilities where the claimant goes for medical care are also considered treating sources.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Next, SSA must consider whether or not the prescribed treatment is expected to restore the claimant’s ability to go back to work. If it is not, then the issue of failure to follow prescribed treatment is dropped. However, if a treatment exists that SSA believes may restore the claimant’s ability to go back to work, but said treatment has not been prescribed by a treating source, SSA may refer that individual to Vocational Rehabilitation Services.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once the issue of failure to follow prescribed treatment is identified, the claimant is then allowed an opportunity to explain the failure. The claimant should be asked if he or she understands the implications of the treatment prescribed, as well as the implications of failure to do so. The claimant should also be made aware by SSA the reason for this questioning and the possible consequences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of course, a claimant could have very good reasons for not following prescribed treatment. Some justifiable reasons identified by SSA are as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 5.5in 436.5pt 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Acceptance of prescribed treatment would be contrary to the teachings and tenets of the claimant’s religion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 5.5in 436.5pt 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cataract extraction for one eye is prescribed but the loss of visual efficiency in the other eye is severe and cannot be corrected through treatment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 5.5in 436.5pt 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Intense and unrelenting fear of surgery. However, SSA may require this be documented by the treating source who recommended the surgery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 5.5in 436.5pt 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The individual is unable to afford prescribed treatment which he or she is willing to accept, but for which free community resources are unavailable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 5.5in 436.5pt 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Any duly licensed treating medical source who has treated the claimant advises against the treatment prescribed for the currently disabling condition.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 5.5in 436.5pt 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The claimant is presently unable to work because of a condition for which major surgery was performed with unsuccessful results, and additional major surgery is prescribed for the same impairment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 5.5in 436.5pt 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The treatment carries a high degree of risk because of the enormity or unusual nature of the procedure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The treatment recommended involves amputation of an extremity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The issue of failure to follow prescribed treatment is a complicated yet important one. Our blog covered only a few very important points. If you are in a position where you feel you might be under this type of scrutiny, it is advisable to seek the counsel of a disability attorney. </span></div>
<em>Written by Anna Westfall</em><br />
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<em>Source: <a href="http://www.socialsecurity.gov/OP_Home/rulings/di/02/SSR82-59-di-02.html">http://www.socialsecurity.gov/OP_Home/rulings/di/02/SSR82-59-di-02.html</a></em><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Have questions? We are here to help YOU! Chances are we have a local office in your neighborhood: Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Youngstown, Lorain, Toledo, Mentor and Ashtabula. Click <a href="http://www.balinlaw.com/">here</a> for more information.</span>Balin Law http://www.blogger.com/profile/00209133751438280855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602302595995782580.post-36676091770583862862013-05-20T07:34:00.000-07:002013-05-20T07:34:44.899-07:00Utilize Your Resources! What You Can Do While Waiting for Disability<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When a person becomes too disabled to work, he still needs a place to live and food to eat. While waiting for the disability adjudication process, saved funds can run out fast. So, if you can’t work, how else can a person survive? When tough times get tougher, there are a many resources in your community you can utilize.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>What Can I Do About Food?<o:p></o:p></strong></span></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The most obvious answer is to apply for food stamps through your county’s Department of Job & Family Services, now known as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). However, there are also other programs that ODJFS touts on their website that are just as helpful and less well-known, such as the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://jfs.ohio.gov/ofam/EBT-Farmers-Market.stm">EBT Farmer’s Market Demonstration Project</a></b>. This allows SNAP recipients access to fresh, locally-grown foods. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Food banks are also in abundance in most metropolitan areas. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are typically run by local non-profit organizations or churches that operate off of donations and volunteering. In our area is the well-known <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.clevelandfoodbank.org/site/PageServer">Cleveland Food Bank</a></b>. Since 1979, this organization had fed millions of families, and recently won an award from the organization <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Feeding America</i> for outstanding SNAP outreach efforts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>How Can I Keep My Home?<o:p></o:p></strong></span></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Most metropolitan areas are also home to organizations that can help you keep your home. If you can no longer make your mortgage payment, there are organizations that will work as liaisons between you and your mortgage company to make your payments affordable. <a href="http://www.esop-cleveland.org/"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">ESOP</b> </a>is an organization in the Cleveland area that specializes in helping people that are victims of predatory lending and cannot afford their mortgages.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you rent, don’t be afraid to approach your landlord about your situation. He or she may be able to work something out with you, but if not, you can also turn to the <a href="http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">U.S</b>. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)</b></a> for assistance. A HUD counselor can help you find an apartment you can afford in subsidized or Section 8 Housing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If your home has already been foreclosed or if you have been evicted from the residence you rented, there are organizations that will help you secure a new place to live. In Cleveland, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.maxhousing.org/">Maximum Accessible Housing of Ohio (MAHO) </a></b>specializes in helping disabled people find safe, affordable and clean housing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></o:p></span></u></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></o:p></span></u></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>What About Other Needs?<o:p></o:p></strong></span></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are a countless number of charitable organizations who do various things. Perhaps you are unable to take your children on trips or participate in other fun activities with them. Non-profit organizations such as <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://opendoorsacademy.org/">Open Doors Academy</a></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>can provide fun, educational opportunities for your child as well as mentorship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Perhaps you need an outlet for your frustrations, but cannot afford to enjoy the hobbies that you love. Organizations such as <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://arttherapystudio.org/">Art Therapy Studio</a></b> in Cleveland can give you that outlet as well as help you learn more about yourself. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Churches are wonderful places not only for food pantries, but other charitable drives as well. Don’t be shy about contacting your local church to see what programs they provide. They may run clothing drives, or toy drives at Christmastime so your children can still enjoy receiving gifts from Santa Claus.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Never Give Up!<o:p></o:p></strong></span></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">While waiting for your disability claim to be processed, it is easy to become overwhelmed, frustrated, or depressed about your situation. Never give up! With a little bit of conviction and plenty of resources at your fingertips, <strong>you WILL get through this tough time.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">At Paulette F. Balin & Associates, we will help put your mind at ease by dealing directing with SSA regarding your disability claim. We will make sure all of the pertinent medical evidence is received and that your claim flows as smoothly as possible for you. Call us today to see how we can help!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>Written by Anna Westfall<o:p></o:p></em></span></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Please note that Paulette F. Balin & Associates does not specifically endorse any of the organizations named in this blog. They are intended to be examples of the different types of help you may be able to receive.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
Balin Law http://www.blogger.com/profile/00209133751438280855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602302595995782580.post-80721583058482056412013-05-02T05:06:00.000-07:002013-05-02T05:06:39.938-07:00What Are Family Benefits?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After you are awarded Social Security disability benefits, members of your family may also be eligible for payments. This includes children as well as your spouse. However, please be advised that this does not apply to SSI claims.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Benefits can be paid to your children as long as they are unmarried and:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Younger than 18<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Between 18 and 19 years old, but still attending elementary or secondary school as full-time students ; or<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Age 18 or older and severely disabled (the disability must have started prior to the age of 22)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Benefits may also be payable to children that are born or adopted into the family after a finding of disability has occurred. However, SSA must determine whether or not the child is eligible for benefits.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Your spouse may also be entitled to benefits if he or she fits the following criteria:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Age 62 or older; or<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">At any age he or she was caring for your child who is either younger than 16 <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">or</i> disabled and entitled to benefits on your record<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The monthly benefit of which your family member would be entitled to is calculated from your monthly disability amount. Each qualified member would receive half of your monthly payment, but this amount is not to exceed 150 to 180 percent of your total monthly benefit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I heard my ex can claim disability off my account. Is this true?”<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yes. Many people are surprised when they learn their ex-spouse can claim disability benefits off their work record. In some situations, he or she can claim these benefits, even if the wage earner is not, but certain requirements must be met. The ex-spouse must:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have been married to you at least 10 years;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have been divorced at least two years;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Be at least 62 years of age;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Be unmarried and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Not eligible for an equal or higher benefit based on his or her own work or someone else’s work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What happens if I die while receiving benefits?<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This issue is understandably of great concern to benefit recipients. In order for a family member to collect your benefits after you pass away, he or she must fit the same criteria outlined above, with one addition: a widow or widower can also collect your benefits if he or she is aged 50 or older<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> and</i> disabled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Typically, SSA requires a person to be married to the deceased benefit recipient for at least 9 months in order to qualify to receive those benefits. However, this usually does not apply if the death of the benefit recipient was deemed accidental.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Parents of a deceased disability claimant may also claim these funds if he or she was dependent on the deceased claimant for at least one half of their support.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Your ex-spouse can also still collect benefits after you pass away, but they must meet certain criteria as well. Benefit amounts paid to an ex-spouse does not affect the benefits being paid to other family members. Your ex-spouse can collect benefits after you pass if they are:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">At least 60 years old (or 50 and disabled) and married to your for at least 10 years; or<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of any age if he or she is caring for a child who is eligible for benefits under your work record; and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Not be eligible for an equal or higher benefit amount based on his or her own work; and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Not currently married, unless the remarriage occurred after age 60 or after age 50 if disabled<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lastly, a one-time death benefit can be paid to your family if they qualify, in the amount of $255.00. People usually use this benefit to help cover the final expenses of the claimant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Still Have Questions?<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The financial aspect of disability benefits can be confusing and intimidating. If you have questions about your pending disability claim, or if you are considering applying for disability but have concerns about how it would affect your family, please call us. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will put your mind at ease as we guide you through what is typically a difficult and emotional process. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>Written by Anna Westfall & edited by Paulette F. Balin</em></span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <em>Source: ssa.gov</em></span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">Do you still have questions? We are conveniently located in Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Youngstown, Toledo, Lorain, Mentor and Ashtabula to meet with you. Please click <a href="http://www.balinlaw.com/">here </a>for more information!</span></span></o:p></div>
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Balin Law http://www.blogger.com/profile/00209133751438280855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602302595995782580.post-53853300953147124992013-04-23T07:24:00.000-07:002013-04-23T07:24:43.349-07:00The Importance of Your Alleged Onset Date (AOD)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The date that you became unable to work is one of the most important pieces of information you tell <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SSA when you file a claim for disability. The date is of utmost importance, as Social Security will be looking at that date <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">very</i> carefully to determine why you chose it.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">How Do You Choose an Onset Date?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You may use the last day you worked, or the day after, as the date you became too disabled to work, if you stopped working that job because of your disability. If you had an extreme medical emergency that kept you from returning to work, such as a heart attack or stroke, it would make sense to use the date the emergency medical event occurred.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Why Did You Choose That Date?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Be prepared to explain to SSA why you chose the date that you did. You may have to explain your rationale to different SSA staff, so keep in mind that each time you speak with someone it is notated in your file. If you tell Mr. Smith it was the last day you had a grand mal seizure, but then later tell Ms. Jones that you were laid off from your job that day, SSA will detect the inconsistency and that could damage your credibility.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What Happens If SSA Does Not Agree With That Date?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sometimes SSA will make the determination that a person is, indeed, disabled, but on a different date than the AOD. For example, Mary claimed she became disabled on 1/10/12, the day she resigned from her job because she could no longer perform the work due to degenerative disc disease. However, upon review of Mary’s medical records, SSA sees a MRI of Mary’s back done on 11/1/12 that shows dramatic worsening of her condition, fitting SSA’s criteria of disability. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Therefore, SSA mails a decision to Mary informing her that she has been found disabled as of 11/1/12. Mary can either accept this decision, or appeal it in order to convince SSA that the date she became disabled was actually 1/10/12.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What If I Am Still Unsure of What Date to Chose?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you are still hesitant in regards to what the best date is for you to chose, it helps to consult an experienced disability attorney who can help you pinpoint that time in your life that you became too disabled to work. Be sure to share your entire health and work history with this professional in order to get an accurate assessment. This way you can assure that SSA will be looking at the correct time frame and information connected with your claim for the best possible outcome.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<em>Written by Anna Westfall and edited by Attorneys Andrew November & Paulette F. Balin</em><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Still have questions? Please contact us today by clicking <a href="http://www.balinlaw.com/">here.</a> We are conveniently located in Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Ashtabula, Youngstown, Lorain, Mentor and Toledo to meet with you and address all of your disability concerns.</span>Balin Law http://www.blogger.com/profile/00209133751438280855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602302595995782580.post-54686864375467265732013-04-16T05:50:00.000-07:002013-04-16T05:50:03.086-07:00Disability Claims and Federal Court<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last time, we talked about what happens when you receive an unfavorable or partially favorable decision from an ALJ and the option to appeal to the Appeals Council. If, after a lengthy review, the AC still denies your claim, you have the option to appeal to Federal Court.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Like with any other disability or SSI appeal, you must file it within 60 days of the AC denial. This is accomplished by filing what is referred to as a complaint. This gives a brief summary of why you are appealing. It is then served to the government agency which you are suing, the Social Security Administration. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is important to note that there is also a fee for filing a complaint with Federal Court. If you cannot afford the fee, you may request in writing to have it waived. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After your complaint is filed, an attorney who works for SSA will submit a response. This summarizes why SSA thinks your decision should be upheld. The Federal Court judge is then supplied with your complaint, SSA’s response, a transcript of your hearing and your exhibit file.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You will also be expected to submit a brief on your case, referred to as the Opening Brief. SSA will then file a Response Brief to argue against you. You may also file a Reply Brief to address issues brought up in SSA’s Response Brief.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If necessary, the Federal Court judge will request an Oral Argument. Here, no additional evidence is submitted and no testimony is given by the claimant. Instead, the claimant or his representative (if he has one) will argue the case in front of the judge. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once all of the pertinent information is received and the oral argument is over, a Federal Court judge will then take approximately a year (sometimes longer) to decide your case. The reason why the wait is so lengthy is because not only do Federal Court judges look at disability complaints, but other types of cases as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The judge will decide the case one of three ways. Either he will remand the case back to SSA for further development and possibly another hearing, agree with SSA and deny your case, or agree with you and award your case. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Appealing to Federal Court is a complicated and lengthy process. It is yet another reason why having legal representation is a good idea. Disability attorneys who deal with Federal Court are well-versed in filing complaints and writing briefs. Your attorney will also make sure an important deadline is not missed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">However, not every disability attorney deals with Federal Court. This is another reason why Paulette F. Balin and Associates is a leader in winning disability claims. We are one of the very few disability firms in northeast Ohio who will take your claim all the way to Federal Court if need be. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>Written by Anna Westfall and edited by Paulette F. Balin</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">We offer convenient office locations in order to serve you better! Call us today to schedule a free consultation at either our Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Youngstown, Toledo, Lorain, Mentor or Ashtabula location today! Find out more by clicking <a href="http://balinlaw.net/locate-disability-lawyer.html">here.</a></span></span></div>
Balin Law http://www.blogger.com/profile/00209133751438280855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602302595995782580.post-559800811153302762013-01-23T08:17:00.000-08:002013-01-23T08:17:37.151-08:00What Is Past Relevant Work?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Your Past Relevant Work (PRW) is defined by SSA as <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">work that you have done within the past 15 years, that was substantial gainful activity (SGA), and that lasted long enough for you to learn to do it. It is considered in the fourth step of determining disability in the Five-Step Sequential Process. This blog will delve a little deeper into what exactly is considered PRW by SSA.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For example, Joe has been an auto mechanic for most of his working life and now suffers from disc herniations in his back. He was a mechanic for over 20 years and he earned over SGA each month that he worked.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When you apply for disability, SSA is very interested in your PRW and what you did all day. If you do have a job that lasted 15 years or more like Joe does, SSA will also want to know how much you crouched, crawled, stooped, handled large or small objects, how much you lifted, how often, whether you supervised others, etc. at this job.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In our example, Joe would answer that he crouched 4 out of 8 hours in an average work day, crawled one hour per day, stooped 6 out of 8 hours per day, handled small objects 7 out of 8 hours per day and lifted 50 pounds or more on a frequent basis. He did not supervise others. SSA would then consider this information in conjunction with Joe’s disabling conditions, which in his case is back pain.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">SSA will then ask Joe questions about how he did his job and will also consider how the job is typically done in the national economy. If Joe is unable to perform the job the way he used to, but SSA determines that he is capable of doing the work the way it is typically performed in the national economy, Joe’s claim for disability will be turned down.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">However, if SSA determines Joe cannot go back to his PRW as an auto mechanic because he cannot perform those same job duties in his current state of health, SSA then looks to see if there are other jobs Joe can do. They will look at what job skills he possesses to see whether he can adjust to other work. This is the fifth step of the Sequential Evaluation Process.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In this fifth step, SSA may argue that Joe has skills that can be transferred to sedentary work (a sit-down job), that does not involve standing all day or lifting anything heavier than a stapler. This is yet another reason why getting an attorney involved in your disability claim is a good idea. While SSA may say Joe can go to work as an office worker, Joe’s attorney will obtain the imaging studies of Joe’s back from the hospital and get additional statements from Joe’s doctor regarding the inability to sit 6 hours or more. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Five-Step Sequential Evaluation Process can become very technical in a disability claim. Please contact our office for more information as far as how we can help you in this regard! You may also read more about the Five-Step Sequential Process <a href="http://balinlawknowledgebase.blogspot.com/2012/08/what-is-five-step-sequential-evaluation.html">here!</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><em><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Written by Anna Westfall & edited by Paulette F. Balin and Andrew November</span></em></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;">Need help or have questions? Learn more by visiting our <a href="http://www.balinlaw.com/">website!</a> We are conveniently located in Cleveland, Mentor, Ashtabula, Akron, Canton, Lorain, Younsgtown and Toledo to serve you!</span></span></div>
Balin Law http://www.blogger.com/profile/00209133751438280855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602302595995782580.post-71675751396179772962012-12-07T10:48:00.000-08:002012-12-07T10:48:25.292-08:00What is the Appeals Council?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When a disability claimant goes before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) at a hearing and subsequently receives an unfavorable decision, this does not necessarily mean this is the end of the claim. If a disability claimant and/or his representative feel the ALJ made any errors in his judgment, that unfavorable decision can actually be appealed to the Appeals Council.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Located in Falls Church, Virginia, the Appeals Council (AC) consists of approximately 70 Administrative Appeals Judges, 56 Appeals Officers, and hundreds of support staff. There are also offices in Crystal City, Virginia, and Baltimore, Maryland. The original AC, created on March 1<sup>st</sup>, 1940, consisted of a three member staff. Since then, the number of requests for review and the complexity of cases increased dramatically over time. The AC reviewed over 173,000 cases in 2011 alone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The main responsibility of the AC is to review unfavorable decisions and partially favorable decisions to determine whether an ALJ was correct in his ruling. Other responsibilities of the AC include quality review, policy interpretations, and court-related functions. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">How is an appeal filed with the AC? As with any other denial from SSA, you have 60 days from the date if the Appeals Council’s decision, plus five days mailing time, to appeal. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you miss this deadline because your mail was lost, you were hospitalized, you moved, or a similar reason, good cause for late filing may be pursued. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You must request this review in writing by using form HA-520-U5, along with any additional evidence you may have to submit that was not originally considered by the ALJ. Once received, the AC will review the decision in order to determine whether or not they agree with the ALJ’s ruling. However, the AC can also deny requests for review if they believe a hearing decision was correct.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If the AC does decide to review your case, which takes approximately 9 months to one year, it will either decide your case itself or it will return the case to the ALJ for further review. When it is returned to the ALJ, it is referred to as a remand, and a new hearing is scheduled. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">During review, the AC looks at the same issues the ALJ did originally, including issues that were decided in your favor. Once the AC is finished with the review, a decision is issued in writing to the claimant and his representative (if the claimant has representation). They will either issue a fully favorable decision, remand the case back to the ALJ for further review, or they may agree with the ALJ and deny your claim.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If the AC does agree with the ALJ’s decision, the claim can <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">still </i>continue. The next step in the appeals process would be to file a complaint with Federal Court. This step in the appeals process is one that not many disability claimants know about, and not very many disability attorneys deal with Federal Court. This is another reason why Paulette F. Balin & Associates is exceptional. In our next blog entry, we will explore appeals to Federal Court and how we can help you in this aspect of your disability claim.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the meantime, if you have received an unfavorable or partially favorable decision from an ALJ in the last 60 days, please contact us as soon as possible. We represent claimants every step of the way in the appeals process, and if the AC does deny your claim, we will be right by your side to appeal to Federal Court right away so you get the justice you deserve.</span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <em>Written by Anna Westfall & edited by Paulette F. Balin</em></span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Contact us today about your Appeals Council decision by clicking <a href="http://www.balinlaw.com/">here! </a> We would be happy to meet with you in Akron, Canton, Youngstown, Toledo, Lorain, Ashtabula, Cleveland or Mentor to discuss your case!</span></o:p></div>
Balin Law http://www.blogger.com/profile/00209133751438280855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602302595995782580.post-67256635186519488782012-11-30T06:23:00.000-08:002012-11-30T06:23:18.389-08:00Social Security Field Offices Change Their Hours<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Beginning November 19<sup>th</sup>, 2012, SSA field offices have changed their public hours from 9am-3:30pm to 9am-3:00pm. However, this doesn’t mean SSA employees get to go home a half-hour early! Rather, it is an attempt to help them catch up with other work such as conducting application interviews and processing paperwork. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Due to the impact of Hurricane Sandy, these new office hours will be delayed in being implemented for the following areas: New Jersey, New York City, and Long Island, NY.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Beginning January 2<sup>nd</sup>, 2013, SSA field offices will also be closed to the public at noon each Wednesday. This will also aid SSA employees in catching up on necessary work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In light of this, SSA encourages the public to use either their nation-wide, toll-free number or their website (www.ssa.gov) to utilize their services, such as filing for retirement or disability, signing up for direct deposit, getting a replacement Medicare card, etc. While it is great that SSA is trying to make their services more available, there are still several issues with this. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While it is already difficult to call SSA for information due to the reduced amount of workers and high volume of calls, the fact that the window to obtain information is much smaller makes it more difficult for someone to do business with SSA. Many times disability applicants have transportation issues and must rely on using the telephone. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The national, toll-free number may be helpful for general information or routine tasks such a changing your address, but some questions can only be answered by field office staff, such as if a requested document had been received. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another issue with using the toll-free number is if you do not have a land line or limited minutes on your phone. Often the hold times can be extraordinary, using up a disability claimant’s precious pay-per-use minutes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Many disability applicants do not own computers, and many also may not know how to use one. SSA often reminds us that many of their forms and publications are available online, but that is useless to someone who does not have a computer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is another reason why having representation on your claim is helpful. Attorneys’ offices have staff that can make these phone calls for you, research information on ssa.gov, and stay on top of your claim. Many attorneys’ offices also have good rapport with the local SSA field office representatives, making it easier to get questions answered in a timely manner. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Are failed attempts at contacting SSA causing a road block in your claim? If so, contact us today and make an appointment for the office closest to you. We are happy to serve the Mentor, Cleveland, Ashtabula, Akron, Canton, Lorain, Youngstown and Toledo areas for your convenience. Learn more by visiting our website, </span><a href="http://www.balinlaw.com/"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">www.balinlaw.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">. We look forward to helping you!</span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <em>Written by Anna Westfall & edited by Paulette F. Balin</em></span></o:p></div>
Balin Law http://www.blogger.com/profile/00209133751438280855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602302595995782580.post-37205076241840595732012-11-26T07:29:00.000-08:002012-11-26T07:29:46.593-08:00Honesty, Compliance, and Side Effects: How Medical Records Tell Your Story<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In past blog entries, we touched upon the importance of continuous medical treatment as well as the importance of being honest with SSA. Today we will look at the importance of being honest with your doctor, your relationship with your doctor, how this affects your medical records and subsequently, your disability claim. </span></div>
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<b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span></i></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Honesty</u>: When a doctor asks you how you are, tell him! Don’t give him/her the “canned” answer of fine, good, etc. Most people with mental or physical disabilities do have good days and bad days, but be honest! Examples: Have you been in pain? Maybe you aren’t today, because today’s a “good” day, but what about yesterday or over the weekend? Are you depressed (due to pain, inability to work, etc.)? Do you have a new symptom? <b><i>This is part of your written medical record.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Compliance</u>: This matters greatly in the eyes of SSA, as well as your doctor! Examples: take meds as prescribed. Go to physical therapy if referred. Don’t miss counseling appointments. Judges frown upon non-compliance issues and may deny you partially because you were not following your doctor’s advice to help improve your health. <b><i>This is part of your written medical record.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Side Effects</u>: All meds have side effects, some worse than others. Fatigue, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, etc. Tell your doctor! In addition, when asked, list them on any SSA forms. Reports of side effects are just as important as the conditions the medications are treating, as they can also interfere with your ability to work. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><i>This is part of your written medical record.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Doctors, nurses and other medical staff notate everything you tell them at your doctor visits. They also make observations regarding your presentation, such as if you are walking with a limp or you seem particularly depressed. Doctors and nurses can usually tell if someone is lying or exaggerating. This is also made part of your written medical record, and if SSA sees these kinds of notes, it ruins your credibility and may harm your claim. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If your current doctor does not seem sympathetic to your situation, or you feel you are not getting the proper care, it is OK to find a new doctor. It is a wide misconception that you must stay with the same doctor throughout the life of your disability claim. This is helpful if you have a good relationship with your doctor, but pointless if you do not. If you cannot clearly communicate your medical issues and consequently cannot get the treatment you need, it is important to start looking for a “second opinion.” Since the basis of your disability claim relies heavily on your medical records, it is vital to have treating providers who you feel comfortable with and have your best interests in mind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is vital to remember that YOU are the most important factor in your disability claim. Attorney representation can paint a vivid picture and submit compelling arguments for a finding of disability, but only if the underlying facts are there as found in the written medical records. The medical treatment record and the limitations opined by the treating doctors provide a strong foundation, and with this, we can help you build the Taj Mahal!</span></div>
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<em>Written by Anna Westfall & Anita Feldkamp, edited by Paulette F. Balin & Andrew November</em><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Need help with your claim? Learn more about us by clicking <a href="http://www.balinlaw.com/">here!</a> We have offices in Mentor, Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Youngstown, Toledo, Ashtabula and Lorain to serve you better!</span>Balin Law http://www.blogger.com/profile/00209133751438280855noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602302595995782580.post-66114299356261893832012-11-05T09:56:00.003-08:002012-11-05T09:56:56.304-08:00What is COLA?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">COLA stands for Cost of Living Adjustment. This is utilized by SSA in order for retirement, disability and SSI benefits to keep up with inflation. As the cost of living rises, so must the benefits of retirement, disability and SSI recipients so they can still afford their food, medical care and rent.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">COLA was enacted in 1973. It consists of a formula that is used to calculate what the COLA adjustment for the year should be. It is based on increases in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). The CPI-W is calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics each month. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">SSA must use the average CPI-W for the third quarter of the last COLA year to calculate the next year’s COLA. The last year a COLA was issued was 2011. Therefore, SSA used CPI-W from the third quarter of 2011, which was 223.233. Since it is lower than the CPI-W from the third quarter of 2012, which was 226.936, there is a 1.7% difference between the two numbers. This is the COLA for 2013. <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">If there is an increase, it must be rounded to the nearest tenth of one percent. If there is no increase, or if the rounded increase is zero, there is no COLA.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">COLA’s become active in December because those benefits are payable in January of the following year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">COLA has also been scrutinized over the years as members of Congress and others have tried to devise a better system for beneficiaries to keep pace with the cost of living. Instead of using the CPI-W as the base for figuring COLA, the CPI for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) has been proposed to be used.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The C-CPI-U, which has been measured monthly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics since 2002, measures the price of a basket of goods that changes in response to the relative price shifts of various goods. For example, if a raise in the cost of beef causes people to buy more chicken, then the C-CPI-U would have a higher weight on its chicken component and a lower weight on its beef component.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dean Baker, a co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, stated:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“If it (the C-CPI-U) were adopted as the basis for indexation, then benefits would fall by 0.3 percentage points each year compared to the current law. This lower adjustment would accumulate through time so that after 10 years, beneficiaries would be seeing Social Security checks that are 3 percent smaller, after 20 years 6 percent, and after 30 years would be 9 percent smaller.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Baker goes on to say that because Social Security beneficiaries have substantially different consumption patterns compared to other Americans, an Elderly Index (CPI-E) has been considered for use instead of the CPI-W. Healthcare and housing make up the greatest part of a Social Security beneficiary’s consumption, and elderly people in particular have fewer opportunities for substituting across items to take advantage of changes in relative prices. They are also less mobile which also causes problems as far as being able to substitute. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Baker concludes his statement by saying an “honest discussion” would be necessary to determine the best route for calculating future COLA. If the C-CPI-U would be used, it would be a dishonest way to cut benefits as those who would be hit the hardest are the oldest beneficiaries. They also tend to be the poorest. Overall, the ability for every American to be able to afford their food, housing and medical care is a critical need that must be handled carefully, so no one is left out in the cold. </span></div>
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<em>Written by Anna Westfall</em><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Need help with your claim? Contact us by clicking <a href="http://www.balinlaw.com/">here!</a> We have offices in Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Ashtabula, Mentor, Youngstown, Lorain and Toledo for your convenience!</span>Balin Law http://www.blogger.com/profile/00209133751438280855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602302595995782580.post-46172757353736134172012-10-26T05:58:00.000-07:002012-10-26T05:58:31.008-07:00The Advantages of Local Representation<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you have seen any amount of daytime television, chances are you have seen many ads for disability attorneys. Some are local attorneys with offices in your area, but many of them are large, national firms that are usually located in a different state.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Typically, the mindset of most individuals is that “bigger is better,” however, this is not necessarily the case when it comes to representation in a legal matter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">By hiring a smaller, more local firm, you will receive much more personalized attention in the following ways:</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Familiarity with local field offices and courts.</i> This is another advantage over a national firm because a local representative deals with the area Social Security offices and courts on a daily basis. A local representative will be familiar with the staff in these offices and therefore has more ease obtaining information or getting questions answered because they have an established rapport. A local representative can also give you good directions to the court and parking tips that someone from many states away would not know!<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Relationships with local medical providers</i>. Since Social Security disability representatives are constantly requesting medical records in support of their clients’ claims, over time relationships are established between the providers and the representatives. A local representative may be aware of a doctor retiring in the near-future and can make sure all the pertinent records are secured from that doctor ahead of time. A representative of a national firm, on the other hand, must rely on the information provided by their clients to find out such things.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Face-to-face appointments. </i>Unless you are willing to purchase a plane ticket, chances are you will never see your representative in-person until it is time for the hearing. Face-to-face appointments are critical when it comes to understanding a person’s disability claim. If the representative is able to physically see how you function, such as difficulty rising from a chair or the panic you experience when you speak with someone for the first time, he is able to get a better idea as far as what your claim is all about. It is also much easier to ask questions when you are face-to-face with someone, and establish that all-important rapport. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Knowledge of local hospital rating programs and other care. </i>There are instances when a claimant does not have insurance. Since medical records are imperative to a disability claim, it is important to find either free or low cost care for these claimants. A local representative is knowledgeable about area hospitals that offer sliding scale fees and free clinics. Local representatives may also have good relationships with social workers that can help coordinate care for claimants. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Familiarity with your area</i>. When you hire representation that is local to you, they, too, understand the local issues that may be important to you, such as the closing of an area hospital or an election where community mental health funding is at stake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because issues such as these affect everyone in an area, it helps to establish rapport between client and representative. You may even root for the same sports teams, which creates a nice feeling of camaraderie between the client and the representative.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Representation is a personal choice and sometimes a quite difficult one. With so many representatives with TV commercials and other types of ads, it is hard to know who would be right for you. However, based on the reasons outlined above, choosing someone in your local area is a step in the right direction. </span></div>
<em>Written by Anna Westfall & edited by Paulette F. Balin</em><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">If you need help with your Social Security disability claim, we are right close by if you need us! We are proud to offer office locations in Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Mentor, Ashtabula, Youngstown, Lorain and Toledo! <a href="http://www.balinlaw.com/">Call us today</a> for more information and to set up your appointment.</span>Balin Law http://www.blogger.com/profile/00209133751438280855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602302595995782580.post-42988885156796591332012-10-08T06:52:00.000-07:002012-10-08T06:52:47.520-07:00What Will SSA Do About Direct Deposit Fraud?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While SSA is pushing for more disability and retirement benefit recipients to sign up for electronic payment in lieu of a paper check, scammers are working harder than ever to put those benefits in their own bank accounts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For example, some Social Security benefit recipients – senior citizens in particular – have been victimized by a scam that asks them for their bank information in order to claim a big cash prize. Instead of a prize, their monthly benefits are stolen. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">According to a CNN Money article published on September 26<sup>th </sup>, all an identity thief needs is a name and a bank account number in order to have the benefits re-routed to their own accounts. Given all the security measures SSA requires to disclose information about a particular person or their claim (name, date of birth, mother’s maiden name, city of birth, etc.), this is incredibly shocking. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) reported that as of August 31<sup>st</sup>, 2012, their office received over 19,000 reports of “questionable” changes or attempts to change beneficiary’s direct deposit information. In response, SSA spokesman Mark Hinkle stated that these reports represent only a “tiny fraction” of the 711 million electronic payments SSA has made to benefit recipients up until August 31<sup>st</sup>, 2012.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">SSA stated they cannot comment on particular cases. However, Hinkle stated that not all cases of wrong payments are due to fraud. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The inspector general said that SSA needs to make vast improvements as far as correctly identifying benefit recipients that want to change their direct deposit information. Recommendations include sending letters, emails or text messages to the benefit recipient whenever direct deposit information is changed, or develop unique routing numbers for the pre-paid cards, since these are of particular interest to identity thieves because they are harder to track. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Currently, SSA has a system in place that allows a benefit recipient to completely block access to his or her Social Security account. This also includes the benefit recipient. This way, no changes can be made whatsoever unless the benefit recipient visits their local field office and presents a photo I.D., and requests the block to be removed. Electronic access to make changes can be blocked as well. This can be accomplished online by visiting </span><a href="http://www.socialsecurity.gov/blockaccess"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">www.socialsecurity.gov/blockaccess</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">However, in light of these findings by the OIG, is this enough? With so many Americans depending on disability or retirement payments to get by, a typing error is just as unacceptable as lax security. What will be done about it?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If someone contacts you via email or phone asking for personal information, never give it out. If it has been a few days since you expected your benefit to be deposited into your account, contact SSA as soon as possible. If you hired an attorney to obtain your benefits, contact their office for assistance immediately. Your attorney will protect your rights and make sure SSA does everything properly for you. </span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <em>Written by Anna Westfall & edited by Attorney Andrew November</em></span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Need help with your disability claim? Chances are we have an office located in your neighborhood! We are proud ot offer meeting locations in Mentor, Cleveland, Ashtabula, Akron, Canton, Youngstown, Lorain and Toledo for your convenience! Find out more by clicking <a href="http://www.balinlaw.com/">here!</a></span></o:p></div>
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Balin Law http://www.blogger.com/profile/00209133751438280855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602302595995782580.post-81710267293508482092012-09-28T06:15:00.001-07:002012-09-28T06:15:34.687-07:00SSA Now Accepting Electronic Signatures for Disability Applications and Appeals<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Social Security Administration is continuing to make more and more of their services available online. After what seemed to be a test-run over the last several months, claimants can now electronically sign their SSA-827 form for disability applications and appeals.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The purpose of the form is to request medical and educational information from the claimant’s providers. In the past, claimants were required to print and either mail or bring a signed paper SSA-827 to their local SSA office in order to complete an application or an appeal. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">According to SSA, by allowing claimants to electronically sign the SSA-827, it decreases the application process by approximately 9 days. It streamlines the process and allows SSA to start working on a claim or an appeal sooner.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">How does SSA verify the identity of the signer? SSA will take the answers the claimant provides on either the application or appeal and compares them to information they already have on file about the claimant, including name, date of birth, Social Security number, place of birth, work history and mother’s maiden name. If some information does not match up, it raises a red flag for SSA to investigate further.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Will this affect how quickly SSA gets a claimant’s medical records? SSA will still send the releases to medical and educational providers the same way they have in the past, and the form will look essentially the same. SSA says there is no change to the HIPAA compliance of the form. Instead of a “wet” signature, the form will state that it was electronically signed by the claimant. Medical and educational providers would submit their information to SSA the same way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">While it is progressive for SSA to streamline their processes and essentially make the process quicker, is it truly helpful for claimants, or more so for SSA? With identity theft becoming more and more of a problem every day, is this another piece of personal information hackers could potentially get their hands on? SSA touts that this change will help get claimants their benefits faster. If the disability adjudication process still takes approximately 2 years, is 9 days going to make that much more of a difference? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This change is still new and time will tell whether or not it is going to be helpful to claimants. The biggest help right now is that claimants will save money on printing and postage, but at what potential cost?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<em>Written by Anna Westfall</em><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">If we can help you, contact us by clicking <a href="http://www.balinlaw.com/">here</a>! We are located in Mentor, Ashtabula, Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Youngstown, Lorain and Toledo for your convenience!</span></div>
Balin Law http://www.blogger.com/profile/00209133751438280855noreply@blogger.com0