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Social Security Disability

• Jacksonville Social Security Disability Update: Treatment for Parkinson’s Disease
  Mar 29, 2011

  March 28, 2011 - According to a report from the Doctors Lounge, experimental treatment may help to reverse symptoms of Parkinson's disease. A small, new study indicates that this new gene therapy was found to help reduce tremors and cause no serious side effects in patients.
  
  Additionally, it was found to be able to improve rigidity and a variety of other common motor skill problems that patients with Parkinson's experience.
  
  The study is in phase 2 and included 45 patients who have moderate to advanced stages of Parkinson's. Half of the patients underwent gene therapy and the other half underwent a mock therapy designed to imitate the gene therapy.
  
  Those who were infused with the glutamic acid decarboxylase gene (GAD) into the brain gained improved motor control within 6 months of undergoing the surgery. 
  
  Approximately 1 million adults in the United States have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. According to the National Parkinson Foundation, it is the second most common neurodegenerative disease right after Alzheimer's. 
  
  When a severe medical condition such as Parkinson's disease results in permanent disability, you may be eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits.
  
  If you have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease or any other severe condition that has caused you to be unable to work, consulting with a Jacksonville Social Security disability lawyer should be your next step to determine if you qualify for benefits.
  
  Contacting a Jacksonville Social Security Disability Lawyer
  
  The Social Security disability lawyers at Sullivan & Hepler understand that you have questions regarding your Jacksonville Social Security disability claim. We have your answers. Before you hire an attorney or file your claim, order this free consumer guide Cutting Through the Red Tape: Top Ten Things Florida Social Security Disability Applicants Should Know for more information about how to build a strong claim. Contact us today at 904-384-8808 or 1-800-295-4193.

• Health Info. for Jacksonville Residents: Tissue Analysis Provides Cancer Clues
  Mar 22, 2011

  March 22, 2011 - According to a report from Medline Plus, breast tissue analysis may provide important clues as to the outcome of breast cancer. Although more testing is needed, researchers indicate that changes in collagen may indicate the prognosis for breast cancer.
  
  Researchers came to this conclusion after analyzing collagen fibers found in the tumor's connective tissue. Collagen, which provides structure, is found around most organs within the body. Collagen can also tell cells, including cancer cells, how to function.
  
  The study-which focused on 200 patients who had breast cancer-found that collagen began to function differently with the progression of tumor growth. Researchers believe that the cancer cells straighten out the collagen and migrate onto them. The more this happens, it appeared the worse the patients conditions got. 
  
  The research, which is in the March issue of the American Journal of Pathology, may spurn additional collagen testing but more study is needed before it can be used as an official prognosis tool for breast cancer patients.
  
  If you have been diagnosed with a severe medical condition, such as breast cancer, that prevents you from working you may be entitled to receive Social Security disability benefits. This is most common in cases where the cancer is quite severe and recurrent and where aggressive, prolonged treatment has caused extreme fatigue and illness. Consulting with a Jacksonville Social Security disability attorney is the best way to determine if you qualify for Social Security benefits.
  
  Contacting a Jacksonville Social Security Attorney
  
  The Social Security attorneys at Sullivan & Hepler understand that you have questions regarding your Jacksonville Social Security disability claim. We have your answers. Before you hire an attorney or file your claim, order this free consumer guide Cutting Through the Red Tape: Top Ten Things Florida Social Security Disability Applicants Should Know for more information about how to build a strong claim. Contact us today at 904-384-8808 or 1-800-295-4193.

• Prescription Amphetamines Linked to Increased Risk of Parkinson’s Disease
  Mar 13, 2011

  According to a report from Medline Plus, a study has found that prescription amphetamines are linked to an increased risk of Parkinson's disease.
  
  The study found that individuals who specifically took Dexedrine or Benzedrine were at a 60% increased risk of developing Parkinson's. However, researchers are unable to determine why this is and have indicated a need for further investigation.
  
  Amphetamines are used to treat a variety of conditions including narcolepsy, a chronic sleep disorder, and traumatic brain injuries. However they have also been linked to risks that may outweigh the benefits of the medication.
  
  The findings of this study were released on February 19^th and are scheduled to be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's annual conference in April. All findings are considered to be preliminary until they are published in a peer-reviewed journal.
  
  When a debilitating disease or disorder, whether it's mental or physical, prevents you from working and you are unable to financially care for yourself you may qualify to receive Social Security disability benefits.
  
  A Jacksonville Social Security disability attorney can evaluate your case to determine eligibility and assist you with the process of applying for disability benefits. If you have been denied Social Security disability benefits, an attorney can also help you in appealing your claim.
  
  Contacting a Jacksonville Social Security Disability Lawyer
  
  The Social Security attorneys at Sullivan & Hepler understand that you have questions regarding your Jacksonville Social Security disability claim. We have your answers. Before you hire an attorney or file your claim, order this free consumer guide Cutting Through the Red Tape: Top Ten Things Florida Social Security Disability Applicants Should Know for more information about how to build a strong claim. Contact us today at 904-384-8808 or 1-800-295-4193.

• Court indicts man for Social Security theft
  Feb 28, 2011

  MINNEAPOLIS — A 65-year-old Grove City man was indicted Friday in federal court in Minneapolis for allegedly obtaining more than $86,000 in Social Security disability benefits fraudulently, according to the United States Attorney’s Office.

  Ralph Egmund Harald Frisch was charged with one count of concealment from the Social Security Administration and one count of making a false statement to the Social Security Administration.

  The indictment alleges that from September of 2002 through the current date, Frisch concealed and failed to disclose to the Social Security Administration his true physical condition and capabilities, his employment and his ability to engage in work.

  Specifically, on Sept. 30, 2002, Frisch filed a claim for disability benefits. The claim was denied; however, Frisch requested a hearing. At his Jan. 28, 2004, hearing, he testified that he was disabled due to an ankle injury. He alleged that he needed a cane to walk on even surfaces and a walker to walk on uneven surfaces.

  Based on that testimony, on May 18, 2004, an administrative law judge found him disabled, and Frisch began receiving approximately $1,400 per month in benefits. Shortly thereafter, investigators obtained evidence that Frisch allegedly had been doing painting and roofing jobs between May and September of 2003, during which time he was seeking disability benefits.

  In October 2004, a private investigator allegedly observed Frisch roofing a home in Minneapolis. Frisch was observed for several days working on the house, going up and down a ladder, using an electric saw and pitchfork, and installing new shingles. At no time was Frisch observed using a cane or a walker, and Frisch displayed no sign of injury.

  The Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General began an investigation and interviewed Frisch on Feb. 1, 2008. During that interview, Frisch alleged that he had worked for a temp service from 2004 through 2006, doing a variety of jobs, including shoveling snow, making pizzas and setting up tables.

  He also reportedly said he did roofing work, although not on a regular basis. Frisch’s benefits were terminated on Oct. 17, 2008.

  If convicted, Frisch faces a potential maximum penalty of five years in prison on each charge. All sentences will be determined by a federal district court judge. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin S. Ueland.

   

• Jacksonville Doctor Offers Low-Cost Health Plan at Local Walk-in Clinic
  Feb 19, 2011

  February 18, 2011 - Jacksonville, FL - Uninsured Jacksonville residents have a new option when seeking primary medical care without risking huge bills.
  
  Firstcoastnews.com reports that Jacksonville doctor Rene Pulido of the eMed Primary Care & Walk-in Clinic is offering a discounted health plan to those who are otherwise without health insurance. Dr. Pulido's hope with his plan is to encourage patients to seek medical treatment before their condition worsens and becomes disabling or fatal.
  
  The Jacksonville doctor emphasizes that eMed is NOT actual health insurance and only covers treatment within the office. The eMed plan costs $100 per month and $20 per office visit and covers every procedure that can be done within the office including digital x-rays and on-site lab work. The plan does not cover medication or emergency room service.
  
  Dr. Pulido has said that those who can afford health insurance should seek to obtain it, as his plan does not cover many of the additional features an actual insurance plan will, such as specialists, surgery, catastrophic events and outpatient services.
  
  The Duval County Medical Society considers Dr. Pulido's eMed plan a type of concierge medicine, which traditionally meant when a doctor came to your home. This low-cost alternative to full medical insurance coverage may be a viable option to Jacksonville residents who would otherwise go without proper medical care.
  
  Obtaining treatment and monitoring of your condition when you are filing for Social Security disability benefits is critical to the validity of your claim.  Without proper medical evidence you cannot support your history of your disabling condition and prove your need for disability benefits. Since seeking ongoing treatment for your health condition can easily become expensive, help from low-cost clinics and medical service providers may help you gather the medical records you need to prove your impairments.
  
  Contacting a Jacksonville Disability Attorney
  
  The Jacksonville disability attorney team at Sullivan & Hepler understand that you have questions regarding your Social Security disability claim. We have your answers. Before you hire an attorney or file your claim, order this free consumer guide Cutting Through the Red Tape: Top Ten Things Florida Social Security Disability Applicants Should Know for more information about how to build a strong claim. Contact us today at 904-384-8808 or 1-800-295-4193.

• Jacksonville Family Supporting American Heart Association Advocacy
  Feb 18, 2011

  February 14, 2011 - Jacksonville, FL - A 29-year-old woman had to put her own life on hold when her mother passed away from Cardiomyopathy. Now, she's working to prevent the disease from having the same devastating effects on others. 
  
  The Florida-Times Union recently published the story of Christin Harbison who has spent the past 4 years taking care of her twin sisters, Briana and Kiana Rodriguez, 15, after the passing of their mother. Only 6 months prior to her death, the girls' mother had been diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy, a disabling heart condition that causes the heart muscle to become enlarged and weakened.
  
  Cardiomyopathy left their mother lethargic, short of breath, and apt to fainting spells. After the diagnosis, her employer let her go due to "liability" and she lost her medical coverage. Harbison moved her mother and the twins in with her to help take care of them. She was a full-time student and working 2 part-time jobs to support the family when she began applying for aid.
  
  As she began filing for financial and medical assistance, Harbison had to drop out of school to deal with the endless paperwork, phone calls, and evaluations. They were placed on waiting lists for assistance, disability checks, and even a heart transplant. Unfortunately, time ran out and Harbison's mother passed away before they could get the help they needed.
  
  Following her death, Harbison and the twins have stepped up the monitoring of their own health due to a family history of heart disease. Harbison also serves as an American Heart Association Go Red For Women spokeswoman to help raise awareness of heart disease in women.
  
  Heart disease is one of many classes of disabling conditions that can qualify individuals for Social Security disability benefits. Many heart conditions can leave patients short of breath, lethargic, and unable to perform substantial gainful activity due to their disability. A Jacksonville disability attorney can help you throughout the disability claims process if or a loved one is unable to work due to heart disease.
  
  Contacting a Jacksonville Disability Attorney
  
  The Jacksonvilla disability attorney team at Sullivan & Hepler understands that you have questions regarding your Social Security disability claim. We have your answers. Before you hire an attorney or file your claim, order this free consumer guide Cutting Through the Red Tape: Top Ten Things Florida Social Security Disability Applicants Should Know for more information about how to build a strong claim. Contact us today at 904-384-8808 or 1-800-295-4193.

• Duval County Health Department Offering Low Cost Dental Care
  Feb 18, 2011

  February 18, 2011 - Duval County, FL - Low-income and disabled Jacksonville residents can smile brighter with reduced fee or free procedures through the Duval County Health Department.
  
  News4Jax reports on the services that are open to residents ineligible for Medicaid but unable to afford private health insurance, as well as children. It's especially important for the younger generation to get early dental care and start healthy habits to avoid complications later in life.
  
  The program offers payment options on a sliding scale for parents and children who are unable to afford dental care. Patients who do have healthcare but cannot afford the fees charged by private dentists can also benefit from the low-cost programs.
  
  Starting at age 2, children can go to the Duval County Health Department every 6 months for a cleaning and checkup. The services offered are the same as private dentists without the high costs. The program helped more than 35,000 Jacksonville children keep their teeth healthy last year alone.
  
  Good dental care is important for all ages as neglect to oral health can lead to future complications. Lack of dental and medical care for such oral problems can lead to disabling conditions, making it difficult to eat, chew, and talk. Oral diseases and musculoskeletal conditions like severe TMJ may qualify you for Social Security disability benefits if they impair your functioning to a point considered disabling by the Social Security Administration.
  
  If you are unable to work because of a disabling condition and cannot afford basic life and medical needs a Jacksonville disability attorney may be able to help. By filing for Social Security disability benefits you can obtain financial assistance to help manage your disability and take care of your needs.
  
  Contacting a Jacksonville Disability Attorney
  
  The Jacksonville disability attorney team at Sullivan & Hepler understands that you have questions regarding your Social Security disability claim. We have your answers. Before you hire an attorney or file your claim, order this free consumer guide Cutting Through the Red Tape: Top Ten Things Florida Social Security Disability Applicants Should Know for more information about how to build a strong claim. Contact us today at 904-384-8808 or 1-800-295-4193.

• Jacksonville: Education Department Bureaucracy Keeps Disabled Borrowers in Debt
  Feb 14, 2011

  
  
  Education Department Bureaucracy Keeps Disabled Borrowers in Debt
  
       By Sasha Chavkin, Cezary Podkul, Jeannette Neumann, and Ben Protess Feb. 13, 2011- Tina Brooks can't sit or stand for more than half an hour before the pain in her lower back becomes intolerable. She suffers severe headaches and memory loss, and she has lost most of the vision in her left eye. Five doctors and a judge from the Social Security Administration have all determined that she is fully disabled and unable to work. 
  
  A former police officer and mother of two, Brooks fractured a vertebra in her back, damaged three others in her neck, and suffered a concussion when she fell 15 feet down a steep rock quarry while training for bicycle patrol. But even though Social Security approved her disability claim, she has been mired for more than five years in an unsuccessful struggle to persuade the Department of Education to accept that she is too disabled to work again -- and to forgive the $43,000 that she borrowed in federal student loans.
   
  "I'm a cop, and I know how to fill out paperwork," Brooks says. "But when you're trying to comply with people and they're not telling you the rules, I might as well beat my head on the wall." 
  
  Under federal law, borrowers who develop severe and lasting disabilities after taking out federal student loans are entitled to have their debts forgiven. The system was meant to be compassionate: to spare former students who become disabled from a lifetime of ruined credit, garnished benefits, and spiraling debt. But an investigation by ProPublica and the Center for Public Integrity has found that the process of discharging the loans of disabled borrowers is broken.
  
  These borrowers, whose ailments often make it hard for them to navigate a complex bureaucracy, confront a byzantine system that has resulted in many applicants' being rejected for unclear reasons, and has led many others to simply give up. Despite demands for improvement from Congress, the courts, and its own internal watchdog, the Education Department has repeatedly failed to heed basic recommendations for fixing the process.
  
  An unpublished internal report by the federal student-aid ombudsman in 2009, obtained through a public-records request, urged the Education Department to resolve "fundamental deficiencies" in the disability discharge process. It proposed changes to address the problems of "no written medical standards for determining disability," "no formal appeals process" for denials, and "undue burden and costs" on borrowers, who must obtain required medical forms from their doctors at their own time and expense. The ombudsman has twice recommended that the department consider scrapping its review altogether -- and instead contract the decisions out to the Social Security Administration or other agencies with "mature and proven processes" for evaluating disability.
  
  None of these recommendations has been followed. 
  
  Read the rest of the article here.

• Jacksonville News: Social Security tackles heart diseases
  Feb 09, 2011

  
  Social Security tackles heart diseases
  Some ailing applicants’ Social Security benefits could be fast-tracked
  
  
  Kari Sanderfer public affairs specialist, Arizona February 8, 2011-
  
           February is American Heart Month. Cardiovascular disease is not only the leading cause of death in the United States, it also is a major cause of disability.
  
  Social Security is dedicated to helping people with heart conditions throughout the year, but it recently launched an initiative to help people who file claims for monthly disability benefits due to heart disease.
  
  Recently, Social Security held a public Compassionate Allowances hearing on cardiovascular disease. Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue and leading experts on cardiovascular disease met to discuss possible methods to identify disabling cases and expedite those claims for both adults and children.
  
  Social Security is committed to ensuring Americans with devastating illnesses receive benefits quickly. The Compassionate Allowances process is one of the initiatives to speed up the disability application process for people with severe conditions.
  
  “This fiscal year, about 150,000 people will benefit from our fast-track disability processes,” said Astrue.
  “With this hearing, we continue to look at broader categories of conditions to determine if a subset or certain diagnosis might clearly meet our disability standards and qualify as a Compassionate Allowance.”
  
  Currently, 88 specific diseases and conditions qualify as Compassionate Allowances and, as a result, claims filed by people who are disabled due to these conditions are put on the fast track to receive benefits.
   
  To see a complete list of Compassionate Allowance conditions and to view a Web cast of the hearing on cardiovascular disease, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances

• Jacksonville SSD Recipients: Taxing Disability Benefits
  Feb 08, 2011

  
  
  Taxing Disability Benefits: Will You Owe The IRS if You Receive Social Security Benefits?
  

  Los Angeles, CA (Vocus/PRWEB) February 08, 2011- 

  Millions of Americans received Social Security disability benefits in 2010, and many benefit from private insurance policies. With tax season upon us, many are wondering - "are disability benefits taxable?" "How much is taxable?" "Does repayment to a private insurance carrier factor into tax liability?"
  
  

  Social Security Benefits ARE Taxable
  
       If earnings - including benefits - are beyond a calculated base amount, then a portion of Social Security disability benefits will be taxed. The base amount takes into consideration all the forms of income that are received and may be calculated by filling out the IRS' Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits Form 915 (www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p915.pdf).
  
  The following base amounts can be used as a "quick determination" to see if your benefits are taxable:
  
  • $25,000 if single, the head of household, or a qualifying widow or widower with a dependent child.
  • $25,000 if married but filing separately and did not live with spouse at any time during the tax year.
  • $32,000 if married and filing jointly with spouse.
  • $0 if married but filing separately and lived with spouse at any time during the tax year.
  
        Any amount above the base amounts for each category will be taxable by the IRS. 
  
  What Can the IRS Legally Take Out of Your Social Security Benefits? 
          Generally, up to 50% of disability benefits will be taxable. This will vary based on how much was earned in 2010. However, up to 85% of benefits may be taxable if either of the following applies:
  
  • All earnings plus half of benefits total more than $34,000 (or $44,000 if married and filing jointly).
  • Married but filing separately and lived with your spouse at any time during the tax year.
  
  Repayment to Private Insurance Carriers and Other Deductions
         Some folks used SSA lump sum payments to repay private disability payments from an employer or insurance company. If this is the case, an itemized deduction can be taken so long as the repayment was not more than $3,000. If it was over $3,000, a tax credit may be claimed instead.
  
          Additionally, you may also be able to deduct certain legal expenses. Expenses incurred in connection with the determination, collection, or refund of any tax, and in certain other tax-related circumstances, might be deductable.
  
  For more information, speak to your representative or refer to Form 915 for additional details and specific examples. Remember to consult a tax professional as the above are basic guidelines and are not to be construed as tax advice.