Fort Lauderdale Social Security Disability Blog

In the last post this blog began a discussion of new research showing a correlation between arthritis and potential mental health issues. Many people with debilitating physical or mental impairments who have reached the level of disability such that they are no longer able to work may benefit under the federal Social Security disability or Supplemental Security Income programs.

The recent CDC study shows that while one-third of arthritis patients suffered anxiety or depression, 84 percent of the study participants who reported depression also had anxiety. Of the study participants who reported anxiety, 50 percent also suffered from depression.

Recent research indicates that arthritis sufferers commonly are also afflicted with anxiety or suffer from depression. A significant percentage of arthritis sufferers report the issues, but the conditions remain largely under diagnosed.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that the public health definitions for arthritis may often differ from definitions of arthritis that are used by clinicians. The CDC says that statistics reporting the prevalence of arthritis in the United States can vary greatly, based upon the wide range of sources and definitions used in compiling such data. However, one thing is clear when it comes to arthritis: the effects can be debilitating for anyone afflicted with the condition.

The American College of Rheumatology says that 27 million Americans age 25 and polder have Osteoarthritis, and 1.3 million American adults suffer from Rheumatoid arthritis, two forms of the condition universally included in the definitions of the condition.

Fort Lauderdale Social Security disability benefits lawyers know that many workers may find that the condition makes it impossible for a patient to continue to work. In situations where a condition becomes disabling to the point a worker cannot continue to hold a job, the SSDI program helps qualified disabled workers to continue to make ends meet. The essential program, like the Supplemental Security Income program for low income Americans are vital resources for those with disabling conditions.

A woman who has battled cancer for years says that it is time to reform the Social Security disability insurance program. The woman was diagnosed roughly 12 years ago with a rare form of liver cancer, known as fibromarella. Doctors cut out a tumor about the size of a grapefruit after the original diagnosis, but over time, the woman's cancer returned.

The cancer spread to various parts of her body. She suffered continuing adverse effects and requires a permanent feeding tube to survive. Her personal and professional life suffered due to her illness. She found that she could no longer work and now relies on SSDI benefits to cover the bills. Men and women with disabilities all across the country, including in South Florida, know the difficulties that a serious illness or disability can bring into one's life.

The cancer patient has her own personal experience in facing the day to day obstacles of living with her disability. Now she is fighting to reform the SSDI program to make the rules fit better with human dignity. She qualified for SSDI benefits, but says some of the eligibility rules need to be changed.

In the last post, this blog began a discussion of lupus, in honor of Lupus Awareness Month in May. Lupus is often unpredictable and the autoimmune disease can not only be painful, but debilitating for patients suffering from the disease.

Lupus is a condition that can at times be difficult to diagnose. Many people who suffer from lupus may see several doctors before receiving a proper diagnosis of the disease, according to the Lupus Foundation of America. Delays in diagnosis can contribute to the debilitating and painful effects that can be associated with the autoimmune imbalance.

Workers suffering from lupus may find it difficult to continue working, and patients with lupus may be able to qualify for important Social Security Disability Insurance benefits through the Social Security Administration.

May is designated as Lupus Awareness Month. The Lupus Foundation of America says that a recent study shows that 59 percent of the American population knows little, if anything, about lupus and its potentially debilitating effects. The unpredictable and potentially fatal medical condition affects as many as 1.5 million people in this country alone, according to the LFA.

South Florida Social Security disability lawyers know that many medical conditions are given the fast track in the Social Security disability eligibility process for workers who can no longer work due to a disabling disease or condition.

In other types of cases, an SSDI applicant may have to work hard to overcome the evidentiary burdens of proving to the Social Security Administration that a medical condition has prevented the applicant from working. But it is important to note that it is not impossible for a person with lupus to qualify for federal disability benefits.

The trustees who oversee the Social Security Administration trust funds reported Monday that the two major funds used to pay benefits are expected to run dry sooner than previously expected. It is important to note that most discussions surrounding Social Security focus primarily on the retirement benefits available through Social Security.

South Florida Social Security Disability benefits lawyers know that the SSA operates two trust funds-one that pays retirement benefits and one that is dedicated for SSD benefits. While most news reports speak about the retirement trust fund, the disability trust fund is expected to run short much sooner than the retirement fund.

Many workers in Florida suffer from severe Migraines. It is important to note that in some cases, a patient who suffers from the severe condition may find that Migraines make it impossible to continue to work. The Social Security Administration has a five step process for making eligibility determinations in an application for Social Security Disability benefits.

Steps include determining whether a person is disabled to the point that the worker can no longer maintain an income. But medical evidence is also an important aspect of an SSDI claim. Most Americans have heard of Migraines and may know someone who suffers from the condition, but few who have never personally experienced the debilitating effects may truly understand the severity of a Migraine.

A Fort Myers woman who relies on monthly Social Security Disability checks to make ends meet was shocked to find that a recent check did not make it into her bank account. The roughly $600 SSD benefits check has always been deposited electronically in the past, but recently the electronic transfer did not register, leaving the Florida woman without the important funds for her to pay her bills.

The woman suffers from hearing loss, speech problems and depression and duly qualified to receive SSDI benefits from the Social Security Administration and depends upon the monthly benefits to live. When the benefit check did not register in her bank account on April 3, the 48-year-old Fort Myers woman immediately contacted the SSA to try to find out what had happened to her disability check. The SSA apparently believed that the woman had changed bank accounts.