Monthly Archives

November 2014

Las Personas Que Estarán Presentes en la Audiencia de SSD

By Spanish Blogs

Las Personas Que Estarán Presentes en la Audiencia de SSD

Su abogado Lawrence Seguridad Social discapacidad entiende que algunos reclamantes se sienten incómodos ante la perspectiva de tener mucha gente en la sala del tribunal durante la audiencia. Usted puede sentirse relajado sabiendo que su audiencia será privada, y que sólo las personas necesarias para el procedimiento debe estar presente.

¿Ah Quién Puede Esperar Estar Presente?

Es conveniente considerar que una audiencia SSD no es un juicio. Si usted tiene un problema con los observadores estar presentes, usted tiene el derecho a negar su admisión. El Juez de Derecho Administrativo también tiene el derecho de excluir a los observadores.

Su abogado Lawrence discapacidad del Seguro Social le explicará quién debe estar presente en la audiencia, normalmente sólo el juez de derecho administrativo, la asistencia del juez, el demandante, su abogado y los testigos estarán en la sala de audiencias. Jueces difieren en la forma en que son testigos. Algunos permiten que los testigos estén presentes durante todo el proceso, mientras que otros les pedimos que espere afuera después de las declaraciones de apertura hasta el momento de su testimonio. La lógica detrás de esto último es que un testigo que no se escuchara otro testimonio es más creíble, porque su recuerdo no se ha visto influida por la de los demás.

Si no desea que un determinado testigo que estar presentes para todo el proceso, el juez no tendrá un problema con solícito. En efecto, el juez ni siquiera quiere que usted esté presente durante el testimonio de testigos, especialmente si usted ha sufrido un deterioro mental.

Para Asistencia, Por Favor Llame

Si se le ha negado a un crédito SSD, no se dé por vencido. Un abogado Lawrence Social por discapacidad del Seguro puede ser capaz de ayudar a ganar su caso en apelación, especialmente a nivel de audiencia ALJ y más allá. Llame a Gerard A. Palma en 888-295-4955 para concertar una consulta.

Edad y Discapacidad del Seguro Social

By Spanish Blogs

Edad y Discapacidad del Seguro Social

El requisito más básico para recibir SSD es que su deterioro es tan grave que no pueden trabajar por lo menos 12 meses. Sin embargo, al no poder trabajar no es, en sí misma, suficiente para que usted pueda calificar para los beneficios. Sus factores de edad adentro también. Si su reclamo es negado inicialmente, puede considerar hablar con un abogado Lawrence discapacidad del Seguro Social acerca de cómo presentar una apelación.

La edad como factor

La regla básica es que mientras más años tenga, mayores serán sus posibilidades de ser considerado elegible para SSD. El siguiente es un desglose de los factores de antigüedad en la ecuación de la forma:

  • 60 años o más: Siempre y cuando realmente no puede trabajar y su incapacidad cumple con los cinco puntos planteados por la SSA, usted tiene una buena oportunidad de ser elegible.
  • Edad 55: La mayoría de los solicitantes mayores de 55 serán elegibles.
  • Edad 50: Usted tiene una buena oportunidad de recibir beneficios de SSD si usted no puede trabajar en cualquier trabajo que hayan desempeñado en los últimos 15 años, o cualquier tipo de trabajo que existe en cantidad suficiente.
  • 45 años: A esta edad, la elegibilidad es posible, especialmente si el demandante no puede leer Inglés.
  • Por debajo de los 45 años: Será más difícil obtener beneficios si usted es menor de 45 años. Si está realmente incapacitado, sin embargo, un abogado Lawrence Social por discapacidad del Seguro puede ser capaz de ayudar con una apelación.

Si le preocupa que la edad puede ser un problema, tenga en cuenta que usted no pierde nada por aplicar. Puede ser que valga la pena, por otra parte, hacer un llamamiento cada vez que se les niega por lo menos hasta que su caso sea oído ante un juez de derecho administrativo.

Para obtener más información

Si necesita más información o ayuda con un reclamo SSD, Lawrence Seguridad Social discapacidad abogado Gerard A. Palma estará encantado de hablar con usted. Llame hoy al (888) 295-4955.

Age and Social Security Disability

By English Blogs

Age and Social Security Disability

Lawrence Social Security disability attorney

The most basic requirement for receiving SSD is that your impairment is severe enough that you are not able to work for at least 12 months. However, being unable to work is not, in itself, enough for you to qualify for benefits. Your age factors in as well. If your claim is denied initially, you may consider speaking with a Lawrence Social Security disability attorney about filing an appeal.

Age as a Factor

The basic rule of thumb is, the older you are, the better your chances for being deemed eligible for SSD. The following is a breakdown of how age factors into the equation:

  • Age 60 or older: Provided you truly cannot work and your impairment meets the five points outlined by SSA, you have a good chance of being found eligible.
  • Age 55: Most applicants age 55 will be eligible.
  • Age 50: You have a fair chance of receiving SSD benefits if you cannot work at any job you have held in the past 15 years, or any job that exists in sufficient numbers.
  • Age 45: At this age, eligibility is possible, especially if the claimant cannot read English.
  • Below age 45: It will be more difficult to get benefits if you are younger than age 45. If you are truly disabled, however, a Lawrence Social Security disability attorney may be able to assist with an appeal.

If you are concerned that age may be an issue, keep in mind that you lose nothing by applying. It may be worth your while, furthermore, to appeal each time you are denied at least until your case is heard before an administrative law judge.

For More Information

If you need information or assistance with an SSD claim, Lawrence Social Security disability attorney Gerard A. Palma will be happy to speak with you. Call today at (888) 295-4955.

Massachusetts Social Security Lawyer Explains How Disability Claims for Back Pain are Evaluated

By English Blogs, Social Security Disability Library

Massachusetts Social Security Lawyer Explains How Disability Claims for Back Pain are Evaluated

gavel stethoscope Massachusetts Social Security LawyerEven though many claimants filing for disability benefits suffer from chronic back pain, it’s difficult to get your claim approved without assistance from a Massachusetts Social Security lawyer. You must prove that the medical condition prevents you from working for at least one year. The Social Security Administration (SSA) evaluates objective medical evidence, functional limitations, and your credibility to determine if you qualify for disability benefits.

Objective Medical Evidence

It’s necessary for a Massachusetts Social Security lawyer to present objective medical evidence to the SSA regarding your condition. Physical examinations, x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and nerve conduction tests can help doctors diagnosis your injuries. The medical condition and its cause should be clearly identified in the medical records. It’s also beneficial for the doctors to write detailed notes that state how your injury has lead to back pain and any other complex physical or mental issues that inhibit your ability to perform tasks related to your daily routine.

Symptoms and Limitations of Back Pain

The functional limitations and amount of pain associated with a back injury tends to be subjective and differs for each person. Chronic pain, reduced motor skills, muscle weakness, and being unable to sit, stand, or walk for an extended period of time are the types of impairments that could negatively affect your ability to work. The treating physician should include the symptoms and limitations you experience in your medical records. When the SSA reviews the documents, the information will give them a better understanding of your condition. The SSA evaluates the evidence to figure out if your impairment prevents you from working at sedentary or manual labor jobs that you would be able to have based on your qualifications.

Establishing Your Credibility

Showing that you have credibility is an essential part of getting approved for disability benefits. The SSA wants to make sure that the information in the medical records and the statements you make are consistent. If there are major discrepancies or if it appears that you are exaggerating the severity of your pain, the SSA could reject your claim. Use a diary or journal to keep track of your doctor’s appointments. Document how your body reacts to the treatment and medical prescriptions you receive. Write about your symptoms. State where the pain is located, how intense the pain is, and how long it lasts. List any factors that make the symptoms worse. Closely follow the doctor’s treatment plan. Continue to see the doctor on a consistent basis. If you only visit the doctor sporadically or fail to follow the doctor’s instructions, it could give the impression that your condition isn’t severe enough to qualify as a disability. It may also appear that you aren’t doing everything you can to heal and alleviate the pain you are experiencing. Every disability claim is different. Get advice from your Massachusetts Social Security lawyer regarding the best way to strengthen your case. Your lawyer can help you to avoid any mishaps and common errors that could lead to unnecessary delays or issues with the application or appellate process.

Contact a Massachusetts Social Security Lawyer

If you are unable to work due to a back injury, you may be entitled to receive Social Security disability benefits. Schedule a consultation with Palma Law Offices, PC by calling (888) 295-4955 and an experienced Massachusetts Social Security lawyer will evaluate your case.

What You Can Do about Late Appeals

By English Blogs

What You Can Do about Late Appeals

Massachusetts Social Security LawyersHow long does it take to get disability benefits? A seasoned, skillful Massachusetts Social Security lawyer says late appeal filings from disability denials make the time take longer but are not necessarily fatal to a claim because the claimant may be able to show good cause for an untimely filing, especially if assisted and represented by competent counsel.

Examples of Good Cause

What can Social Security claimants do after missing appeal filing deadlines? Most start again and file new claims for disability benefits; however, in some cases, Social Security may accept appeals even though filed late.

Good Cause for Missing Appeal Deadlines

Social Security decides whether there was good cause for an untimely appeal filing by considering

  • whether any circumstances prevented a timely filing,
  • whether Social Security or the Centers for Medicare or Medicaid Services (CMS) did anything that confused or misled the claimant and caused the missed the deadline,
  • whether the claimant understood what was needed, or
  • whether the claimant had a physical, mental, educational, or language limitation preventing a timely appeal filing.

Social Security has published examples of circumstances where disability claimants had good and excusable causes for late appeals. The list is not exhaustive. If the reason for a missed deadline is not on it, Social Security still can find good cause. The examples just show how serious the circumstances must be for the finding. Social Security may find good cause in any of the following circumstances:

  • The claimant was very sick when the appeal was due and could not contact Social Security directly or through anyone else. Claimants need to show serious sickness, or Social Security will find that they could have filed the appeal on time or asked someone to do it for them.
  • There was a death or serious sickness in the claimant’s immediate family.
  • Fire or another mishap close in time to the appeal deadline destroyed records necessary for the appeal and important to meeting the deadline. For example, if the claimant’s house burned down the week before the deadline with the denial notice inside, there would be a strong argument for good cause for missing the deadline.
  • The claimant actively looked for additional evidence to support the claim but failed to request an extension of time before the deadline passed.
  • The claimant asked Social Security for more information about the denial before the appeal deadline passed. Then there would be 60 days after Social Security provided the requested additional information to file for reconsideration or for an appeal.
  • Social Security or CMS provided incorrect or confusing misinformation about appealing the claim denial.
  • The claimant did not understand the requirement to file an appeal by the deadline or was unable to appeal on time because of a physical or mental problem.
  • The claimant did not receive notice of a denial. Proof of non-receipt is necessary. For example, if Social Security sends the notice to the wrong address after the claimant provides the correct address, there may be good cause for a late appeal.
  • The claimant misunderstands the need to send the appeal filing to Social Security, sends it to another government agency within the time limit, and the recipient agency does not forward it before the deadline.
  • Any other unusual or unavoidable circumstances that make unreasonable any expectation for the claimant to meet the deadline.

Usually, the later the appeal, the harder for the claimant to show good cause. For instance, if the claimant has a heart attack and is hospitalized for two weeks around the time of the appeal deadline, there will be no good cause for an appeal filing a year late.

How to Request Acceptance of a Late Appeal

Requests to accept late appeals must be in writing. Usually, claimants submit their appeal forms and then explain why there is good cause on the forms or on separate submissions at the same time.

Social Security must accept the appeal no matter how late. Social Security then has an obligation to consider the explanation to see whether it amounts to a good reason for filing late. The agency may contact the claimant for more information.

Even if Social Security finds no good cause for a late appeal, it sometimes deems the date of submission of the written request to accept late appeal filing as a protective filing date for the claimant’s next application for benefits.

Consult a Massachusetts Social Security Lawyer

The claim examination process can be slow and arduous. Most claimants find the regulations and procedures complex and confusing. Fortunately, we can offer expert assistance and representation in Social Security disability claims for benefits to individuals with long-term disabilities.

How long does it take to get disability? Usually too long but the most important advice a Social Security lawyer can give is not to quit after denial of a claim. Unfortunately, many worthy claimants make this mistake. Instead, they need to appeal until they get a hearing before an administrative law judge. Recent statistics show that only 22 percent of claimants for back injuries obtained benefits on their initial applications, but 70 percent of those who appealed ultimately prevailed on their claims.

Social Security disability evaluators tend to emphasize the importance of medical records, which are not always fully informative about the severity of a claimant’s symptoms. At a hearing with assistance and representation of a Massachusetts Social Security lawyer, the claimant has the best opportunity to explain to the administrative law judge all the ways the disability denies opportunity to work.

Potential clients are often concerned about legal fees. At the Palma Law Offices, fees are contingent on winning the claim. No fee is ever due unless and until clients succeed in recovering retroactive benefits. The usual fee is 25 percent of the past-due benefits awarded on the claim. No fee comes out of the regular monthly payments. A better investment is hard to imagine. Call (978) 970-2211 or (888) 295-4955 today to schedule a free consultation.

 

 

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