Do Not Settle When You Hire a Chicago Disability Attorney

When you are facing a disability case in Chicago, you need consult with an attorney. Disability law is complicated, and you should never proceed with such an important legal matter without the help of a Chicago disability attorney. In some ways, finding a disability lawyer in Chicago is the easiest things in the world. Doing a quick search for ‘Chicago disability attorney’ will give you hundreds of results, but you should know that not all lawyers are created equal. 

Start your search for a disability lawyer in Chicago by asking family and friends for referrals. When you get a personal reference for a Chicago disability attorney, you know that you are getting someone you can trust. A personal friend or family member would never refer you to a disability lawyer in Chicago that they didn’t  believe to be high quality. Since disability law is complicated, remember to make sure you are consulting with a lawyer who has experience dealing with disability cases. 

Once you’ve collected personal recommendations for a Chicago disability lawyer, call the local bar association and ask for their referral service. A disability lawyer in Chicago who is a member in good standing of the bar association, and perhaps also a local organization for disability lawyers, is always a good choice for your disability case. Membership in professional organizations shows a commitment to keeping up with the law as it changes and grows. 

Do research on all your candidates before you make any decisions on hiring a disability lawyer in Chicago. You are hiring a Chicago disability attorney to do an important job for you, so never hire anyone without interviewing them first. Treat every candidate like a potential employee, and speak to them about their qualifications and experience. It is a good idea to ask them what they think about your case, as well, to see how your potential lawyer reasons and analyses the issues.

Social Security Adds Conditions to Compassionate Allowances Program; Disability Attorney can Help Navigate Process

The Social Security Administration has added more than 50 new “Compassionate Allowances” conditions -- mostly involving cancers, rare diseases affecting children and neurological disorders -- to the program that “fast-tracks” disability decisions.

The program works to “ensure that Americans with the most serious disabilities receive their benefit decisions within days instead of months or years,” according to the SSA. These new conditions will be effective as of August.

The conditions were added in mid-April. The Compassional Allowances program was started in 2008 with an initial list of 50 diseases and conditions. The number of Compassionate Allowances conditions as of August will total 165, including 13 conditions that were added in October 2011.

Michael J. Astrue, commissioner of Social Security, said the agency will continue to work with the medical community and patient organizations to add more conditions. Under the program, “we quickly approved disability benefits for nearly 61,000 people with severe disabilities in the past fiscal year, and nearly 173,000 applications since the program began,” he said in a statement on the SSA site.

“The Compassionate Allowances initiative identifies claims where the nature of the applicant’s disease or condition clearly meets the statutory standard for disability. With the help of sophisticated new information technology, the agency can quickly identify potential Compassionate Allowances and then quickly make decisions.”
The conditions include adults brain disorders, rare genetic disorders affecting children, immune system conditions, early-onset Alzheimer’s, certain cancers and other disorders and conditions.

Astrue added that the SSA is working to streamline its online disability application process. As of April 21, 2012, adults filing for benefits online have the option to sign and submit the “authorization to disclose information to the Social Security Administration” electronically.

Of course, a disability attorney or disability lawyer is well-versed in all forms and manners of applying for Social Security Disability benefits.

Most SSD attorneys would recommend consulting with a disability advocate before applying. For example, in our office, our staff reviews the specifics of the case and recommends the form of application -- in person, by telephone or online -- for that particular case that offers the best chance for approval.

And because the process is complex and time-consuming, with many requirements and strict deadlines, having a disability attorney in your corner can mean the difference between rejection and success. Yes, it’s possible to go it alone. But experienced advocacy can make a big difference.

SSD benefits are based on a large number of factors, including health, ability to work, work history and past income. Our staff offers the advice you need to present your case and medical history in the best light possible, giving you the greatest chance for approval. With our help, you may be able to obtain the benefits you need in an effort to eliminate some of the financial pressures you face.

The SSA website has more information on the Compassionate Allowances Initiative.

Poor health for the Social Security Trust Funds

On April 23, the Social Security Board of Trustees issued a report indicating financial poor health for the Social Security Trust Funds.

            The trustees said in their report to Congress that the combined assets of two trust funds (essentially, for retirees and the disabled) will be exhausted in 2033, three years sooner than projected just last year. At that time, according to projections, there will be sufficient non-interest income coming into the funds to pay about 75 percent of scheduled benefits.

            The Disability Insurance (DI) Trust Fund will be exhausted in 2016, two years earlier than estimated last year. The OASI (Old-Age and Survivors Insurance) Trust Fund will be exhausted in 2035, three years earlier than previously projected. This situation is critical not only to a Social Security attorney or Social Security lawyer, but to all Americans. 

            Trustees also project that the program costs will exceed non-interest income this year, and will remain higher throughout the remainder of the 75-year projection period, and that, over that period, the Trust Funds need the equivalent of an additional $8.6 trillion in today’s dollars to pay all scheduled costs.

            Michael J. Astrue, commissioner of Social Security, said in a press release about the report, “This year’s Trustees Report contains troubling, but not unexpected, projections about Social Security’s finances. It once again emphasizes that Congress needs to act to ensure the long-term solvency of this important program, and needs to act within four years to avoid automatic cuts to people receiving disability benefits.”

            The report summarized that:

•            In 2011, costs continued to exceed income (both tax and non-interest income). The size of the deficits is “largely due to a temporary reduction in the Social Security payroll tax for 2011 and 2012,” in which the employee portion of the tax was reduced from 6.2 to 4.2 percent.

•            For the combined OASI and DI Trust Funds to remain solvent throughout the 75-year projection period, lawmakers could: (1) increase the combined payroll tax rate for the period in a manner equivalent to an immediate and permanent increase of 2.61 percentage points (from its current level of 12.40 percent to 15.01 percent);1 (2) reduce scheduled benefits for the period in a manner equivalent to an immediate and permanent reduction of 16.2 percent; (3) draw on alternative sources of revenue; or (4) adopt some combination of these approaches. Lawmakers would have to make significantly larger changes for future beneficiaries if they decide to avoid changes for current beneficiaries and those close to retirement age.

            The Trustees recommend that lawmakers address the projected trust fund shortfalls in a timely way in order to phase in necessary changes and give workers and beneficiaries time to adjust to them. Implementing changes soon would allow more generations to share in the needed revenue increases or reductions in scheduled benefits.

            The report pointed out that “Social Security will play a critical role in the lives of 56 million beneficiaries and 159 million covered workers and their families in 2012. With informed discussion, creative thinking, and timely legislative action, Social Security can continue to protect future generations.”