On behalf of Anesi, Ozmon, Rodin, Novak & Kohen Ltd. posted in Social Security Disability on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Researchers continue to seek answers on the precise causes of chronic fatigue syndrome. Many different explanations have been offered as to what causes chronic fatigue, but researchers have been unable to document a consistent cause for the syndrome.
One thing that is clear is that the symptoms are significant and have a serious affect on one's ability to participate in regular everyday activities and in many cases prevents them from working. Researchers have recently documented differences in brain activity between those with chronic fatigue and those without, which supports the diagnosis but holds no answers about the causes. Since researchers are still in the dark about the medical basis for chronic fatigue syndrome, sufferers are not able to qualify for government benefits.
On behalf of Anesi, Ozmon, Rodin, Novak & Kohen Ltd. posted in Social Security Disability on Monday, May 14, 2012
A new study confirms what many concerned parents already knew about how difficult it can be for disabled young adults to find work. We're previously discussed the lower employment rates for disabled workers in general. This can sometimes be a result of more particularized work requirements, but for many young disabled people training is also a significant obstacle to long term employment.
Young adults looking for work in this economy know that finding a first job is often a catch-22 in which one must have a job in order to get a better one. For those unable to find a first job, many have turned to higher education to boost their credentials. But what about people for whom higher education is too difficult or too expensive? A new study shows that for young adults with autism, the lack of accessible education and training makes building a career much more difficult than for others in their age group.
On behalf of Anesi, Ozmon, Rodin, Novak & Kohen Ltd. posted in Social Security Administration News on Thursday, May 10, 2012
Last week the Social Security Administration rolled out a new online statement program to help make benefits more accessible and easier to understand. About 130,000 people have already enrolled to see a personalized statement of their current and anticipated future benefits.
This tool will be especially useful for people contemplating starting to receive benefits. For many people, the government benefits system is complex and difficult to understand. Many Americans are not fully informed about the differences between collecting Social Security benefits earlier versus later in life, and what financial advantages there may be to either approach.
On behalf of Anesi, Ozmon, Rodin, Novak & Kohen Ltd. posted in Social Security Disability on Monday, May 7, 2012
Illinois residents who have applied for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits know that the eligibility rules are tough and are strictly applied by administrators. Applicants cannot have significant savings at the time that they apply and their benefits are calculated based on the past 10 years of employment history.
Applicants who have been denied or who receive benefits in a low amount know how difficult it can be to get by without a job. Yet, the SSI program does not make room for supplementary income without risking loss of benefits.
On behalf of Anesi, Ozmon, Rodin, Novak & Kohen Ltd. posted in Social Security Disability on Thursday, May 3, 2012
We've talked a lot on this blog about the importance of disability insurance for people with illnesses or injuries that prevent them from working. There are several different options for people who are out of the workforce because of a health condition, including social security disability and workers' compensation.
However, because most conditions that prevent people from working for an extended period of time do not come from workplace injuries, workers compensation is not a widely available solution. About 90 percent of disability claims are for common illnesses and health conditions, not injuries, and once people are disabled for three months they typically need support for up to two years.
On behalf of Anesi, Ozmon, Rodin, Novak & Kohen Ltd. posted in Social Security Disability on Monday, April 30, 2012
In our last post we discussed unemployment among disabled people. For many people who struggle with a disability, working is impossible or very difficult. Among those who may be able to perform certain types of job duties, it may still be hard to find an employer who is able to accommodate any special needs that they have.
However, disability insurance was not always as accessible as it is today. When the social security disability program originated, it was rarely used and generally considered temporary for workers with an injury. The availability of disability benefits for people with mental conditions began in the 1980s and has contributed significantly to increased accessibility. In making this change, the administration began to examine subjective factors such as pain and anxiety, which are analyzed based on reports by the patient more than by a physical examination.
On behalf of Anesi, Ozmon, Rodin, Novak & Kohen Ltd. posted in Social Security Disability on Friday, April 27, 2012
Analysts and policy experts have been busy discussing the national unemployment rate over the past few years. As nearly everyone is aware, there has been a high unemployment rate during the recession, although it has been decreasing and is now hovering around 8%. A lesser discussed statistic is the unemployment rate for individuals with disabilities.
A recent study of nationwide employment data indicated that the unemployment rate for people with disabilities is 14.6%. The study does not offer any specific explanations for this situation, but it's safe to say that the numbers indicate a tough job market for people who need accommodations at work. Although disability discrimination is illegal under federal employment law, the bad economy may be making it harder for people to find jobs that fit both their skill set and their accommodation needs.
On behalf of Anesi, Ozmon, Rodin, Novak & Kohen Ltd. posted in Social Security Disability on Monday, April 23, 2012
The Social Security Disability Insurance program is an important source of income to many Americans who are unable to work because of a disability. Many different conditions may qualify an individual for benefits, including both mental and physical disabilities. It's important for Illinois residents to take the time to carefully complete their application and to provide accurate information so that benefits can be approved without further complications.
At the same time, there are some who seek to exploit the SSDI system and collect benefits even though they are still able to work. Recently, a 51-year-old man was charged with theft of government funds for allegedly falsifying an SSDI application and lying about his condition.
On behalf of Anesi, Ozmon, Rodin, Novak & Kohen Ltd. posted in Social Security Disability on Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Disabled people are much more likely to be unemployed or underemployed than those without disabilities, according to data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau. This can be because a disability prevents someone from working at all, but can also be a result of the difficulty of finding a job that offers sufficient accommodation for their condition.
There is a wide range of disabilities that are recognized as impair one's ability to work enough to support themselves. Both mental and physical disabilities are recognized within the SSDI program, which helps people who cannot work to pay their bills. The SSDI program is a vital part of our social safety net, but there are also other programs aimed at helping the disabled members of our community thrive.
On behalf of Anesi, Ozmon, Rodin, Novak & Kohen Ltd. posted in Social Security Administration News on Monday, April 16, 2012
We have previously discussed some concerns over the transition to electronic payments for government benefits. The new method is mandated by a Treasury Department rule issued in 2010 and it is anticipated to have significant cost savings for the government. However, there are still some concerns by advocates about who will be left out of this new system, and whether or not the population that relies on Social Security and other benefits will be able to adapt in time for the change.
A spokesperson for the AARP told reporters recently, "we're a bit concerned about how easy it's going to be to provide education, particularly for some in this older population who are not familiar with debit cards and don't have bank accounts."
