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December 23, 2008 by Dirk.
No gift matches the gift of Life and Light.
Let us celebrate God giving his only Son so that we may all live in peace with Him.
Merry Christmas.
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November 29, 2008 by Dirk.
Hope you enjoy a peaceful and enjoyable few days at Thanksgiving.
No matter our lot in life it is important to find things we can give thanks for.
May God open our eyes to see all the blessings He has provided.Happy Thanksgiving.
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October 2, 2008 by Dirk.
I am rethinking the whole idea of using a Congressperson’s assistance in speeding up a Social Security Disability case.
This is the reason: the judges, office manager and case reviewers often get defensive if they think someone is looking over their shoulder pushing a case.
This usually ends in a way that is less than satisfactory for the claimant (you).
I suppose a one time inquiry will not do any harm, however, multiple calls from the congressperson’s office probably do not help your case.I have seen Judge’s take a hard line on certain cases, and I am left wondering if this is because a congressional office pushed too hard.
Certainly, you can appeal but that destroys the whole idea of speeding up the case. It will take at least another six months and may result in you having to reapply.
I understand that the whole Social Security Disability process is a mess and takes much too long, but sometimes the so called Congressional shortcuts do not really help out that much and must be used very carefully.
Posted in bloomington illinois social security attorney, bloomington illinois social security lawyer, case backlogs, Blogs | No Comments »
June 19, 2008 by Dirk.
Some people misunderstand what your Congress person can do for your Social Security Disability case.
Social Security is a federal program, so your state representative or senator cannot help you.
You must contact your Congress person or one of your United States Senators.
All they are allowed to do by law is contact the Social Security Office and ask whether the case is eligible to be set for hearing faster than usual. They absolutely cannot influence the decision in the case. In other words, they cannot recommend you be granted benefits. Anyone who tells you otherwise is not telling you the truth.
Before you contact your Congress person be sure that you have all your medical records and evidence ready for trial. If you do not, this can damage your case.
If you need help finding contact information for your Congress person or United States Senator in Illinois, please feel free to call Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.
Posted in case backlogs, social security disability, Blogs | No Comments »
May 30, 2008 by Dirk.
It takes an incredible amount of time to get your hearing for Social Security Disability. This month I have had 2 clients who died while waiting for their hearing. This is going on all over the country. In Central Illinois, it takes over 2 years to get a hearing. The Federal government has proposed a number of ideas to improve on their record and get to the hearing sooner. They want to hire more judges, improve the computer systems, expanded medical expert review. My suspicion is that there will not be much improvement. What are some of your ideas?
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May 16, 2008 by Dirk.
Social Security Disability is based on the inability to work.
The Administrative Law Judge must decide whether you can perform your former jobs, over the last 15 years. And if you cannot, whether you can perform any job. If you are 50 years of age or older, this requirement changes somewhat.
Social Security does not have to provide you a job, or show that there are real job openings in your area. Instead they will ask a Vocational Expert at your hearing, what kind of jobs are available for persons with certain limitations (such as lifting, standing or walking), and how many jobs exist in the area.Usually, if the Vocational Expert finds a job within your limitations then you are not disabled. The question is whether you can prove you have limitations that eliminate the jobs the expert finds for you. If you can do this, then you are disabled.
Posted in jobs, social security disability, Blogs | No Comments »
April 25, 2008 by Dirk.
What if you do not like your judge?
In Social Security Disability cases you are randomly assigned an administrative law judge from the regional hearing office. In Central Illinois at least, you are stuck with the judge you are assigned to unless there is some type of conflict. This may be previous contact with the judge in the community such as membership in the same organization or church, if you knew each other.
The only real chance you have to remedy the situation of a judge who is tough or does not get along well with you is to appeal their decision if they rule against you.
I know it is tough to hear this, after waiting years for the hearing. Especially in more rural areas where only a small number of judges are housed in the hearing center.
That is why it is important to use a local attorney who is familiar with the judges and their attitudes and methods of running a hearing.
Posted in social security law, social security disability, Blogs | No Comments »
April 18, 2008 by Dirk.
The presidential candidates are weighing in on the long waits for Social Security Disability cases, and Congress is continuing to hold hearings. People are forced to file bankruptcy, being evicted and are dying while waiting for their hearings. It takes over 2 years to get your disability hearing in many parts of the country. It reminds you of some of the Soviet Union horror stories of people waiting and waiting in lines for limited goods and services. It seems unbelievable that in the United States it takes so long to have a hearing to determine Social Security benefits. With the state of technology we should have some way to speed up the process. Any thoughts on ways to do streamline the process? Let me know. Let’s brain storm and send some ideas to Congress.
Posted in case backlogs, social security disability, Blogs | No Comments »
April 11, 2008 by Dirk.
Medical records are absolutely crucial for your Social Security Disability case. You must have updated medical records for your disability hearing. From the time you request a hearing till the hearing date, you are required to provide the new records. Before the time you request a hearing the Social Security Administration gets the records for you.
The problem in Central Illinois- Peoria, Springfield, Bloomington, Pontiac, Champaign- is that it takes over 2 years from the time you request a hearing until your hearing is scheduled. This can mean you will need to request many records from multiple doctors. This is often costly and most people seeking disability do not have much money to spend.
As your Social Security Disability attorney, I will pay for your records for you and you will only have to repay the costs at the end of the case if you win. Many lawyers will make you pay for your medical records yourself. I will help you obtain your important medical records without any upfront cost to you.
Posted in medical, Blogs | No Comments »
April 4, 2008 by Dirk.
Children with autism may be eligible for disability through Social Security. The program for children is called Supplemental Security Income or SSI.
If the child’s autism is extreme enough to limit her in one category, or is what is termed “marked” in two categories, then the child is considered disabled. However, if the parents earn too much money the child will not be paid SSI even if disabled.
Social Security judges look at the limitations the disease or condition causes in determining disability. They do not make decisions based on diagnosis alone. For example, a child with autism may be considered not disabled, while another child with asthma may found disabled.
Please call Social Security Disability Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371 with your questions about Social Security Disability for adults and children.
Posted in autism, children, social security disability, Blogs | No Comments »