Because you are disabled.

File for disability benefits.

Appeal your case.

How you presented your initial application was the best you could do at that time given what you knew and were told.

But, if you were not successful, appeal (1) because you are disabled and (2) because you can improve on your presentation.

Sunday, October 29, 2017

MS Guide Online




The National Multiple Sclerosis Society has published a new edition of its guide for applying for Social Security Disability (& SSI Disability) for people with MS.  This is a free resource online!

This is a great resource for people disabled by MS & also very helpful for people applying for Social Security Disability (& SSI Disability) for other impairments.

Claimants, their representatives, heathcare providers, and others should add this resource to their toolbox.  

See:

Once again, I thank Charles Hall for citing this information in his blog: https://socsecnews.blogspot.com/





Sunday, October 15, 2017

COLA for 2018





Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2018

Based on the increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W) from the third
quarter of 2016 through the third quarter of 2017, Social Security and
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries will receive a
2.0 percent COLA for 2018.

Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)

Non-Blind:   $1,180/mo.
Blind:   $1,970/mo.

Trial Work Period (TWP):  $ 850/mo.

SSI Federal Payment Standard Individual
$ 750/mo.
SSI Federal Payment Standard Couple
$1,125/mo.


See other changes at:





Thursday, October 5, 2017

Interstitial Cystitis



Interstitial Cystitis

Excerpts from Social Security Ruling 15-1p, policy statement on Interstitial Cystitis.

This ruling rescinds and replaces a previous ruling, SSR 02-2p.

I. What is Interstitial Cystitis?

 

A.    IC is a complex genitourinary disorder resulting in recurring pain or discomfort in the bladder and pelvic region. The AUA and other medical experts characterize IC, in part, as an unpleasant sensation (pain, pressure, discomfort) perceived to be related to the urinary bladder, associated with lower urinary tract symptoms of more than six weeks duration, in the absence of infection or other identifiable causes. IC is most common in women and sometimes occurs before age 18. It is not unusual for people to have prodromal (early predictive) symptoms years or decades before they get IC. Prodromal symptoms may include periodic episodes of urinary frequency, bladder pain, or pelvic pain.
B.    In accordance with the AUA guidelines, a physician should make a diagnosis of IC only after reviewing the person's medical history and conducting a physical examination. The physician should also conduct laboratory tests to rule out certain medical conditions that may result in the same or similar symptoms. For example, the AUA guidelines recommend a basic laboratory examination that includes urinalysis and urine culture. NIDDK notes that diagnostic tests physicians may also use to rule out other conditions include cystoscopy, biopsy of the bladder wall and urethra, distention of the bladder under anesthesia, and, in men, culture of prostate secretions.
C.    IC may co-occur with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, vulvodynia, chronic headaches, Sjögren's syndrome, endometriosis, or systemic lupus erythematosus.
D.    Treatments for IC are mostly directed at symptom control. They include, but are not limited to: changes in diet; physical therapy and pelvic floor strengthening exercises; stress management; bladder distention; bladder instillation; oral drugs, such as prescription drugs indicated for IC (for example, Elmiron and dimethyl sulfoxide), antidepressants, antihistamines, antacids, anticoagulants, and narcotic analgesics; transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation; and surgery, such as substitution cystoplasty or urinary diversion with or without cystectomy. Treatment is not effective for everyone because response varies among patients.

Effective on March 18, 2015.  Federal Register, Vol. 80, No. 52, Page 14215.
Footnotes omitted here.
See full text at:
https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/rulings/di/01/SSR2015-01-di-01.html