Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in May in the United States since 1949, reaching millions of people through the media, local events, and screenings. It was first started in the United States by the Mental Health America (MHA) organization (then known as the National Association for Mental Health). Each year in mid-March, MHA… read more

People applying for Social Security disability benefits often have more than one illness or injury that is causing their disability, making them unable to work a full-time job. Impairments that are not limiting enough on their own to qualify you for disability may still help your application when the combined effects of all of your… read more

Most people who apply for Social Security Disability are initially denied benefits. If you are denied at the initial level, or in most states a secondary “reconsideration” level, you can file a request for a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) who will make a ruling on your claim independently from the decisions made… read more

If you have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), you are not alone – IBS is actually quite common, with prevalence estimated at approximately 10% to 15%. Yet many people remain undiagnosed and unaware that their symptoms indicate a medically recognized disorder. What is IBS? IBS, a relative of ulcerative colitis, is a form of inflammatory bowel… read more

Social Security’s current state Buried in the recent spending bill that kept the U.S. government operating is $100 million for the Social Security Administration (SSA) that is meant, in part, to fix a multi-year backlog of people waiting to hear if they qualify for disability benefits. The Social Security Disability Insurance program is supposed to… read more

Two Social Security representatives recently testified before Congress. On January 24, Jim Borland, acting deputy commissioner for communications, testified before the Senate Special Committee on Aging on the subject “Navigating Critical Decisions to Age Well.” “Few government agencies touch the lives of as many people as we do,” Borland said. “Social Security pays monthly OASDI… read more

(From the January 2018 NOSSCR Newsletter): The Social Security Administration (SSA) published a Federal Register notice (83 Fed. Reg. 711) on January 8, 2018 that extended the authority of its attorney advisor program. The program was due to expire on February 5, 2018 but has now been extended until August 3, 2018. In the Federal… read more

This March is Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month! Hemophilia is perhaps the best-known bleeding disorder; however, other factor deficiency disorders can also significantly impact a person’s daily life. Bleeding disorders are a group of conditions that result when the blood cannot clot properly. In normal clotting, platelets (a type of blood cell) stick together and form… read more

After almost six months of review, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), has approved proposed amendments to Social Security’s Listings for musculoskeletal disorders. Expect this proposal to appear in the Federal Register in the near future. Remember that this is only a proposal. The public has a right to comment on the proposal. In… read more

Contrary to popular belief, Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income benefits are not considered permanent disability benefits. In fact, the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) is supposed to review most cases every three to five years to determine whether an individual remains disabled. However, it is not uncommon for an Administrative Law Judge to… read more