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More Than 1 million Individuals Waiting for a Hearing

Posted September 18, 2017 by Premier Disability Services, LLC®

More than 1 million Americans are awaiting a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge to determine whether they qualify for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA), with the average wait time being nearly two years – longer than some of them will live.

About 10.5 million people receive disability benefits from the SSA. The disability programs are smaller than Social Security’s retirement program. Still, the agency paid out $197 billion in disability payments last year alone. The average benefit is approximately $1,171 a month in 2017. And for some, the benefits come too late.

Chris Hoffman worked as a mason, laying bricks and tile and pouring concrete. He had chronic back pain for much of his life, but he kept working until a series of heart attacks. He applied for Social Security disability benefits in 2014 but was denied. He appealed to an Administrative Law Judge.

In November, Hoffman died at 58, following his fourth heart attack. Ten months later, the judge ruled that he was entitled to benefits.

Last year there were 7,400 people on waitlists who were dead, according to a report by Social Security’s inspector general. The SSA says it is working to reduce the backlog by hiring 500 new Administrative Law Judges and more than 600 support staff. The judges, who now number about 1,600, hear appeals from people who were initially denied benefits. The agency is also expanding a program that quickly awards benefits to people with serious illnesses and conditions, including certain cancers.

Despite these efforts, budget cuts over the past five years have frustrated efforts to reduce the disability backlog. Last year, the agency’s budget was $12.6 billion, roughly the same as it was in 2011, even though an additional 6 million people receive either retirement or disability benefits from Social Security.

To get benefits, applicants first apply to state agencies that work with the SSA to decide claims. These agencies approve, on average, about one-third of the applications they receive. In most states, applicants who are denied benefits can ask the same state agency to reconsider, though very few of these applications get approved.

The next step is to file an appeal with an Administrative Law Judge. This is where the backlog swells, with 1.1 million applicants waiting for a hearing before a judge. This is slightly down from last year, but a 31 percent increase from 2012.

The national average wait for a hearing is 602 days. Five years ago, it was less than a year.

Chris Shuler could not attend his hearing. He was working as an airplane mechanic in Oklahoma when he was exposed to some chemicals and developed severe respiratory problems, said his wife, Elizabeth Shuler. The medicine he took for his lungs affected his bones and he eventually had two hip replacements, she said.

Mr. Shuler applied for Social Security disability payments in 2012 and was denied almost immediately, his wife said. He died in July 2015 from an infection that started in his hip, just before his 40th birthday.

Four months later Elizabeth Shuler attended her husband’s hearing on his behalf.

“I wanted to make sure I at least saw a judge,” she said. “The judge said it was a no-brainer.”

Navigating the SSA’s disability system can be a long and frustrating process, but you do not have to do it alone. Please contact us for a free case evaluation if you are thinking or starting a claim, or even if you have a current application pending.

Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/social-security-disability-backlog-tops-1-million-thousands-die-on-waitlist/

By: Joyce Trudeau of Premier Disability Services, LLC®

Social Security Disability vs. FERS/CSRS Benefits

Posted September 8, 2017 by Premier Disability Services, LLC®

While no one likes to think about the prospect of becoming disabled, it is important to understand disability coverage under the civil service retirement programs as well as under the Social Security program. The civil service and Social Security disability programs have been integrated to an extent. This means that those who become disabled may not receive full benefits under more than one system, and that they must be careful to protect their rights under each. In fact, employees under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) Offset (a form of CSRS that includes Social Security, unlike standard CSRS) must apply to Social Security when they apply for federal retirement disability in order to assure that the benefits are coordinated.

Employees who become disabled during the course of their federal career may be entitled to a disability annuity. Under CSRS/CSRS-Offset, they must have completed at least five years of federal civilian service; under FERS, only 18 months. Also, while employed in a position covered by either CSRS/CSRS-Offset or FERS, they must have become disabled for “useful and efficient service” in both their current position and any other vacant position at the same grade or pay level for which qualified.

“Useful and efficient service” means: either acceptable performance of the critical or essential elements of the position or the ability to perform at that level; and ability to maintain satisfactory conduct and attendance. Conversely, service that is not “useful or efficient” is a level of performance or attendance which, if it were to continue, would warrant denial of a within-grade increase, demotion or other remedial action.

Under Social Security, the rules for what it means to be disabled are stricter and more complicated. The fact that you qualify for benefits from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) does not necessarily mean that you will be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits.

If you or someone you know if interested in filing a claim for Social Security Disability benefits, please contact us for a free case evaluation!

Source: http://www.fedweek.com/retirement-financial-planning/federal-social-security-disability-benefits-affect/

By: Joyce Trudeau of Premier Disability Services, LLC®

Some Social Security Offices Closed Due to Hurricane Harvey

Posted September 1, 2017 by Premier Disability Services, LLC®

Hurricane Harvey has devastated much of southeastern Texas, leading to the temporary closure of many SSA (Social Security Administration) and ODAR (Office of Disability Adjudication and Review) local offices. The San Antonio South office has even been closed indefinitely. Forecasters expect strong winds, heavy rain, flooding, and power outages to continue in both Texas and Louisiana.

Acting Commissioner Nancy A. Berryhill released the following message to all SSA and DDS employees on Monday, August 28, 2017:

Subject: Our Thoughts Are With Texas

 As we experienced over the last few days the absolute devastation of Hurricane Harvey, we are pleased to report that all SSA and DDS employees in Texas and Louisiana are safe and accounted for, though many sustained property damage and have evacuated from their homes.

 Please keep those affected by the flooding in your thoughts and prayers as this storm continues.  We will provide additional information as it emerges.

 Nancy A. Berryhill

Acting Commissioner

Our thoughts are with the people of Texas at Premier Disability Services as well. Please reference the following links for more information.

– Information on office closing and emergencies: https://www.ssa.gov/agency/emergency/. If your office is closed, be aware that many services are available online or over the telephone.

– Information about payments for current beneficiaries: https://www.ssa.gov/news/#/post/8-2017-6.

– Apply for shelter assistance and other disaster aid here: https://www.fema.gov/hurricane-harvey.

As always, please feel free to contact us if you are interested in applying for Social Security Disability benefits, or if you are looking for representation on a pending claim.

By: Thomas A. Klint of Premier Disability Services, LLC®