The Compassionate Allowance program is designed to provide applicants with benefits in a prompt fashion. In order to qualify for this program, applicants must suffer from conditions that are so severe they clearly qualify for Social Security disability (SSD) benefits. Critics argue the program is not as efficient as it should be and that it
A woman on the East Coast is just one of many dog bite victims that are going through painful rabies treatments after being harmed by a domestic animal attack. The woman, who was attacked by a dog that burst out of a store while she and her dogs were outside, said that she was having
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) may be available for a child who has suffered from muscular dystrophy. If the family income falls below certain levels and the child meets the medical requirements, he or she may be entitled to monthly monetary benefits and Medicaid (or state variant) health insurance. Childhood SSI claims are evaluated differently than
Lawmakers in Tennessee are planning to combat vehicle fatalities through new legislation that would severely limit cellphone use in cars in the state. A proposed bill from a state senator is designed to decrease the number of car accidents in the state by requiring hands-free cellphone operations behind the wheel. Tennessee residents could see a
A person may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits based on muscular dystrophy. If a person is not working and has been diagnosed with this severe condition, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will determine whether the person is disabled under a listing or whether jobs exist considering
March 17th marks the annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration. This holiday, rich with Irish tradition, has morphed into one of the year’s biggest days for alcohol consumption. Although many partake in their St. Patrick’s Day celebrations responsibly, there are some that choose to imbibe and drive – a potentially deadly combination. Just how big is
What does Tennessee have in common with other states when it comes to car insurance? For starters, our state shares a high rate of uninsured drivers, which can lead to major problems in the event of a car accident. Victims who are involved in a car wreck with an uninsured motorist can suffer major physical
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claimants and beneficiaries alike need to be aware of the drastic effects of budget cuts and hiring freezes on the Social Security Administration (SSA). I recently blogged about the temporary budget passed by Congress and this entry is to provide more information regarding the SSA’s
Even though legislation designed to protect workers hurt on the job has been through several revisions, it seems as though Tennessee is no closer to crafting an alternative to workers’ compensation as proposed by lawmakers. News reports show that the workers’ compensation changes may have been stymied by a scandal associated with one of the
The National Safety Council has released its annual report on road deaths from the previous year. As we look back on 2016, there were more fatal accidents across the entire US than in 2015. That trend is repeated in Tennessee, where we lost 1,042 lives on the road this year. It is an increase of
Legal experts say that the new government administration’s decrees under President Trump could lead to fewer rules for speed limiters in big-rig trucks. Proposed rules require speed limiters on certain types of trucks, and these limiters have proven useful in preventing deadly 18-wheeler crashes. One of the White House’s first actions in 2017 was to
The operating budget of the Social Security Administration (SSA) directly impacts Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries and claimants. On Friday, December 9, 2016, the government passed a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government through April 28, 2017. The CR contained an across-the-board cut to funding for the Social Security Administration (SSA) in the
Dog bites are physically painful and can lead to serious problems, including infection, surgeries, long healing times, and — perhaps most overlooked — deep psychological wounds as well. How deeply someone is emotionally affected by a dog bite usually depends on both internal and external factors: — Whether or not the victim continues to fear
Big-rig crashes: They are scary possibilities for every Tennessee driver who spends time on our state’s roads. The fact is that 18-wheeler crashes are notorious for their severity, often leaving victims with serious injuries that are difficult to recover from. Now, new technology promises to reduce the number of these dangerous incidents, as vehicles learn
The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently released statistics regarding fiscal year 2016 dealing with Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) determinations on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims. I recently have blogged about average processing time in hearing offices and some of these statistics tie into the processing time of claims. The
The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently published final rules regarding the evaluation of medical evidence in Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims. These rules become effective March 27, 2017. A very important change under the new rules is that adjudicators of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or SSI claims no
Falls at work are among the most common mechanisms of injury for today’s industrial employees. The fact is that falls at the same level and falls to a lower level account for billions of dollars in lost productivity and workers’ compensation claims every year. These workplace injuries can cause emotional, physical, and financial difficulties for
A group of trauma surgeons out of Germany are hoping to help reduce the number of patients they see in their Emergency Departments with this tip: walk like a penguin. Although the doctor’s advice may seem comical, these doctors base this advice on experience dealing with a series of serious slip-and-fall accidents. As noted in
Many Tennessee drivers worry about the financial impact of getting involved in a car crash. This is a legitimate concern, particularly for drivers who may get into a car wreck with an uninsured motorist. The good news: States around the nation are starting to offer auto insurance that protects against underinsured motorist accidents. The fact
People applying for and appealing a denied claim for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are rightfully concerned with the length of the process. I try to regularly provide an update on processing times and approval rates for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims at some