Posts in:June, 2016

Tom Klint of Premier Disability Services climbs Mt. Kilimanjaro

Posted June 29, 2016 by Premier Disability Services, LLC®

Our founder Thomas Klint has always been a man of setting high goals and challenging himself. Starting and running one of the nation’s greatest disability advocacy groups was one of many obstacles he’s completed. But recently he set out on a journey to test his determination yet again, help even more people and connect with his family. To accomplish this, he set out to scale the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

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Update: Period for Public Comments Still Open for New Gun Control Regulation

Posted June 24, 2016 by Premier Disability Services, LLC®

In a previous article, I provided details regarding the Social Security Administration’s proposed rule on the Federal Register that could impact some beneficiaries’ ability to own or purchase firearms. (See Potential Gun Control Regulations for SSA Beneficiaries; post on May 6, 2016). Following SSA’s proposal of that rule, there is a 60 day period where the public may comment. As of today, there have been over 3,700 comments made about this rule.

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Will Cigarette Smoking Hurt my Claim?

Posted June 17, 2016 by Premier Disability Services, LLC®

Smoking while filing for SSD

Tobacco is one of the most difficult habits to quit. It is also one of the most common causes of severe pulmonary impairments. Claimants filing for Social Security Disability benefits due to a severe pulmonary impairment must be mindful of the impact continued smoking can have on their claim. The fact is that continued smoking will negatively impact a claim for disability benefits and may even be the primary reason for denial. From SSA’s perspective, engaging in activities that exacerbate a condition undermines a claim that the condition is disabling. Rather, SSA will often take the view that if the smoking ceased then the condition would improve. In addition, it can be difficult to prove a claimant is credible when they continue to smoke despite a severe impairment. Essentially, SSA will view this behavior as evidence that the claimant is non-compliant with treatment recommendations and simply does not want to get better.

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