Are you unable to work because of a disability? Get the answers you need on Social Security Disability to protect your rights
Keefe Disability Law has compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions in response to the overwhelming number of people who need help with the Social Security Disability process in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. If you are disabled and need help with disability benefits, read on to learn how to protect your legal rights.
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Can I Receive Disability For Carpal Tunnel?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is enormously painful and frustrating. The pain from the swelling around your nerves makes it difficult to concentrate. The numbness caused by your nerve being pinched can limit your ability to do basic workplace tasks. Even picking up a phone can be intolerable.
Qualifying For Disability
Although disabling, carpal tunnel syndrome is not listed by Social Security as a qualifying disability. However, there are still options that may help you be approved to receive SSDI. Here is some of the medical evidence you will need to provide in your appeal to increase your chances of being approved.
- Measures of your thumb weakness. This can be done by your doctor by measuring your ability to raise your thumb upward when it is flat on the table, or your ability to touch your pinky with your thumb.
- Pahlen’s test. This test checks for symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome while your hands are dangled off the table.
- Tinel’s sign. Your doctor will check for Tinel’s sign, which is when your median nerve tingles or is shocked when touched.
- Nerve conduction study. This will measure how fast signals are sent through the affected nerves.
There may be other tests and pieces of medical evidence to demonstrate your disability.
Are You Looking for a Social Security Disability Attorney in Boston, MA?
If you are looking to apply for social security disability, you need to speak with an experienced social security disability lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Natick Office directly at 888.904.6847 to schedule your free consultation.
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- Measures of your thumb weakness. This can be done by your doctor by measuring your ability to raise your thumb upward when it is flat on the table, or your ability to touch your pinky with your thumb.
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What is a Technical Denial?
If you are given a technical denial for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), the Social Security Administration did not review any medical evidence in your application. Instead, an SSA employee determined your application to be ineligible for benefits for non-medical reasons.
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Reasons For Technical Denial
Some of the most common reasons for a technical denial include:
- Your income exceeds the “Substantial Gainful Activity” limit put in place by the SSA.
- You have not earned enough Social Security credits to be eligible to apply for SSDI.
- You did not prove that you were related to the person that the application was filed on behalf of, if you were filing for another person such as an adult child or spouse.
- You did not submit all of the medical records needed.
- There was a general lack of detail or information necessary to determine your eligibility for SSDI in Massachusetts.
The technicalities of an application for Social Security Disability are overwhelming. For this reason, it is important to fill out your application together with a Boston Social Security Disability attorney. Although many technical denials cannot be appealed, you may be able to file an appeal if there was an error in processing your application. To do this, it is a good idea to get the help of an Massachusetts Social Security Disability attorney.
Are You Looking for a Social Security Disability Attorney in Boston, MA?
If you are looking to apply for social security disability, you need to speak with an experienced social security disability lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Natick Office directly at 888.904.6847 to schedule your free consultation.
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Options After Being Denied Application of SSI in Boston
Applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in Massachusetts on behalf of a child can be enormously difficult. There are many factors that you must demonstrate to the Social Security Administration in order for it to approve your application. Juggling all of these factors can be confusing. One small mistake on your application, and you may be denied.
Factors That Determine SSI Eligibility
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Some of the factors that go into consideration when deciding whether or not to provide your family with SSI are the following:
- Your family income limitations
- The resources available to your family
- Your child’s abilities in acquiring and using information, completing tasks, social interaction, moving about on her own, caring for herself, and her overall physical health and well-being.
Although it may seem like you should automatically be provided SSI in this situation, the SSA may find a reason to deny your application. This is when working with a Boston SSI lawyer is so critical.
Get Help From an Experienced Disability Attorney
With help from an attorney experienced in disability law, you can review your application to find any errors or reasons for the denial. In addition, having attorney help allows you to file an appeal within the time limit that will increase your chances at having the denial overturned.
Contact a Boston SSI attorney at Keefe Disability Law to get started as quickly as possible on filing your appeal.
Are You Looking for a Social Security Disability Attorney in Boston, MA?
If you are looking to apply for social security disability, you need to speak with an experienced social security disability lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Natick Office directly at 888.904.6847 to schedule your free consultation.
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Can I Receive Disability Benefits For Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Almost 70 percent of applications for Social Security disability benefits are denied. But, this doesn’t mean that 70 percent of disability applicants aren’t eligible for SSI or SSDI. Most denials occur because applicants do not adequately prove to the Social Security Administration (SSA) that the symptoms of their disability are severe enough to prevent them from working at a “substantial and gainful” level.
Salary Requirements For SSI/SSDI
To be employed at a “substantial and gainful” level, applicants must earn more than $1,040 a month (or $1,740 if blind). Anyone who earns more than this amount is not eligible for SSI/SSDI benefits, regardless of disability.
Keep Detailed Medical Documentation
The SSA is very concerned with how your disability affects your ability to function both at work and in daily life. More than half of all adults over the age of 40 have from some form of arthritis, but most are still able to work. A diagnosis is not enough. Your doctor needs to document your level of pain and the amount of disability in each affected joint. Your medical records should include your limitations. Are you unable to stand for long periods of time? Are you unable to walk without a cane? Are you unable to dress yourself? These details are necessary to prove your level of disability.
What You Need To Prove
You must also be able to show that your symptoms are not likely to improve for a period of 12 months or more. This may sound easy. After all, there is no cure for arthritis. However, there are ways to relieve your symptoms. You must show that your symptoms are severe enough to prevent you from working despite following your doctor’s prescribed treatment plan. If you aren’t taking your medications and following your doctor’s orders, your Social Security claim may be denied.
Talk To a Disability Lawyer If You Were Denied
Denied disability? If you are unable to work and believe that you qualify for SSI/SSDI, you have the right to appeal your denial. Let our Boston disability law attorneys help you get the documentation you need to get the benefits you have earned. To learn more, request a free copy of our book titled Unlocking the Mystery – The Essential Guide for Navigating the Social Security Disability Claims Process, or contact Keefe Disability Law at 888-904-6847.
Are You Looking for a Social Security Disability Attorney in Boston, MA?
If you are looking to apply for social security disability, you need to speak with an experienced social security disability lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Natick Office directly at 888.904.6847 to schedule your free consultation.
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What should I do if I was denied SSD benefits for my osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis can cause disability and in your case, it has. A broken hip is a very serious injury and, of course, you are living with the possibility of other broken bones.
As a Rhode Island disability attorney, I see many New England disability application denials. And nothing is much more frustrating than this when you really need the financial help these benefits can provide.
Usually, you have about 60 days to appeal a denial and you do not mention how long it has been since you received your determination letter. So, you have two scenarios open to you, both of which may cause you to become discouraged.
- If the time for an appeal has lapsed, you can file a new application with the information about your current medical condition included.
- If you still have time to appeal, do so right away! We work on appeals every day and know exactly what the Social Security Administration expects in order to approve your request.
Call Keefe Disability Law toll free today at 888-904-6847 for a free disability case consultation. Or, simply fill out the confidential form on this page and we will contact you. We also urge you to order a FREE copy of our special report, Five Most Frequently Asked Questions about Social Security Disability.
Don’t get discouraged. We can help.
Are You Looking for a Social Security Disability Attorney in Boston, MA?
If you are looking to apply for social security disability, you need to speak with an experienced social security disability lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Natick Office directly at 888.904.6847 to schedule your free consultation.