How COVID-19 is Affecting SSA/Disability Claim Processing
You are likely already feeling a bit weary of being bombarded with news, medical recommendations, conspiracy theories related to a virus that came into existence only very recently and added words to our vocabulary (social distancing).
Rather than give you information that will be outdated within hours, let me direct you to Social Security’s website created on March 16, 2020 for official communication for up-to-date information. It is https://www.ssa.gov/coronavirus/. Social Security is scaling back some services deemed non-essential, and we can be sure that even more patience that usual is going to be asked of us.
At Roose & Ressler, we are continuing to provide quality service to our existing clients and meeting with people to discuss their claims but doing so by primarily by telephone and email. And we are preparing to do our work from our homes, if necessary. If you are our client and have an upcoming hearing, we will be in contact with you with any changes related to your hearing.
Follow the recommended precautions to slow the spread of this virus and stay well!
Jon
I need to decide which of my medical conditions that I should apply for.
Actually, you should tell Social Security about all of your medical conditions that cause work-related limitations. Social Security must consider the combined effect of all of your medical impairments. It would be a mistake to not tell Social Security about all of your conditions.
The more disabled I am, the higher my benefit should be.
For Social Security purposes you are either “disabled” or “not disabled.” There is no in between, and there are no extra benefits for greater severity. Disability insurance benefit amounts are determined by earnings history. Supplemental Security Income amounts are determined by your financial status, sometimes including the resources and income of family members.For Social Security purposes you are either “disabled” or “not disabled.”
I am more likely to win benefits if I exaggerate my symptoms to Social Security.
Maybe the quickest way to lose your credibility and ruin a perfectly good claim is exaggeration. Social Security doctors will review your medical records to see if they match up with what you say about your medical conditions. If there is not a reasonable match, your chance of winning plummets.
The Social Security program is going broke, and there won’t be any money to pay benefits in the future.
First, without any adjustments, Social Security is currently on a path to be unable to meet 100% of its obligations in 2034. But even without any changes, Social Security is projected to be able to pay almost 80% of its promised benefits in 2034. Second, there are reasonable solutions that can strengthen the financial position of the retirement and disability programs.
I would be able to get benefits if I was addicted to alcohol or drugs.
Actually, substance abuse makes it much harder to establish disability. Before 1996, the law allowed disability based on substance abuse. When substance abuse is present, it complicates a claim and gives a Social Security decision-maker one more possible way to deny your claim.
People who have nothing wrong with them get disability benefits.
It seems that everyone thinks that they know a neighbor or relative who gets disability benefits who has little or nothing wrong with them. Actually the disability standard is very difficult to meet.
Everybody gets denied at first.
Actually, statistically, nearly a third of applications are granted by Social Security’s first determination.
At Northern Ohio Social Security Disability law firm Roose & Ressler, Social Security Disability Law is all we do.
Over the past 40 years, our team of hard working, experienced lawyers have been dedicated to helping Northern Ohioans with their Social Security Disability (SSD or SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cases. Serving residents throughout Northern Ohio from our four local offices in Toledo, Lorain, Mansfield, and Wooster, our personal, local team stands ready to assist you and your family – even if you’ve had a previous claim denied.
Our firm is dedicated to the kind of personal service you and your loved ones deserve – because we believe that knowing you, your family, your doctors, and knowing the judge who may hear your case is important.
And, we’ll walk you through each step of the process so you’re clear and comfortable regarding any procedures or actions that would affect your case. In addition, our state of the art, Social Security approved video teleconferencing services allow claimants to appear for hearings held in downtown Akron or Cleveland from the convenience and comfort of our familiar locations in Lorain or Wooster offices – further saving our clients time and money.
There is no cost to meet with us initially to discuss your case. Contact us today and schedule a free, no obligation meeting with one of our local attorneys and decide for yourself if you’d like to put our hard working team to work for you. Roose & Ressler, because a personal, local attorney that cares about you and your family is important.
Serving Northern Ohio
We only handle Social Security Disability cases in Northern Ohio because we believe in local service from a team you can rely upon, and a team you trust will work hard for you and your family.
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