Florida Social Security Disability

If you receive Social Security Disability, you may also be eligible for Medicare.  The following is from the Medicare website of Frequently Asked Questions:

Do I have to join a Medicare drug plan?
	Answer
	No. Joining a Medicare drug plan is your choice.  However, to have Medicare help pay for your drugs, you must join a plan that provides Medicare prescription drug coverage. You can choose and join the plan that meets your needs. If you don’t use a lot of prescription drugs now, you should still consider joining. As we age, most people need prescription drugs to stay healthy. For most people, joining when you are first eligible for Medicare means you won’t have to pay a penalty if you choose to join later. Your premium will be higher if you wait to join because of the penalty.You can join a drug plan when you are first eligible for Medicare. In most cases, if you don’t join during this period, your next chance to join will be between November 15th and December 31st each year, and you will have to pay a penalty. This means you pay a higher monthly premium for as long as you have Medicare prescription drug coverage. For more information, please visit our search tool, the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder

If you have questions about your Social Security Disability Claim, Cross Examination of Medical Experts or In-House Lawyer and Paralegal seminars, please call us at 352-629-0480 for a free consultation. We invite you to visit us on the web.

Tags: Medicare

As you all know simply by watching the news every day, our children are at risk day as a result of sexual predators who target children.  Through the efforts of people like John Walsh, the father of Adam Walsh who was abducted in 1981 while with his mother at a South Florida department store, the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act was passed in June of 2006.  The act established a registry for sex offenders and predators.  Unfortunately, recent reports indicate that most states will not be in compliance with the law by the upcoming July 2009 deadline.  Our law enforcement agencies simply do not have the funding to comply.  If you believe that your legislators should help ensure the safety of our children by making sure that this law is properly funded, please visit the link below which has a sample letter which you may send to your legislators.  Help protect the safety and well-being of our children.

http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahshow/20090220-tows-adam-walsh-act/2

If you have questions about your Social Security Disability Claim, Cross Examination of Medical Experts or In-House Lawyer and Paralegal seminars, please call us at 352-629-0480 for a free consultation. We invite you to visit us on the web.

Tags: Laws

The May 2009 Newsletter is now available online; to find out the latest or register for notification of the current newsletter visit social security at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/newsletter/. 

If you have questions about your Social Security Disability Claim, Cross Examination of Medical Experts or In-House Lawyer and Paralegal seminars, please call us at 352-629-0480 for a free consultation. We invite you to visit us on the web.

Tags: News, SSA

A:         The law requires the Department of the Treasury to deduct delinquent child support and debts owed to state and Federal agencies, including the Social Security Administration, from the one-time payment.

The above information was gathered from the Social Security Adminstration office website. If you have any additional questions regarding this matter, I would suggest that you visit the Social Security Administration at their website, www.ssa.gov, or call them toll free at (800) 772-1213.
If you have questions about your Social Security Disability Claim, Cross Examination of Medical Experts or In-House Lawyer and Paralegal seminars, please call us at 352-629-0480 for a free consultation. We invite you to visit us on the web.

Tags: Tips

Speak Slowly:

Talk in a normal tone of voice.  Shouting does not make your voice more distinct.

Always speak as clearly and accurately as possible.

Keep your voice at about the same volume throughout the sentence.

Consider the Situation:

Recognize that hearing impaired people hear and understand less when they are ill or tired.

Never talk from another room.

Get the persons attention before you start talking to him or her.

Face to Face:

Face the person directly and on the same level whenever possible.

Keep your hands away from your face while talking.

If you are eating or smoking your speech will be harder to understand.

Reduce Confusion:

Reduce or eliminate background noise while carrying out a conversation.

Make sure a person follows a change to a new subject.  A key word or two at the beginning of a new topic is a good indicator.

Rephrase misunderstood phrases or sentences.

Positioning:

Position yourself so that the light is directed at your face and not in the listener’s eyes.

Do not turn away in the middle of a story or remark.

If you have questions about your Social Security Disability Claim, Cross Examination of Medical Experts or In-House Lawyer and Paralegal seminars, please call us at 352-629-0480 for a free consultation. We invite you to visit us on the web.

Tags: Tips

Deputy Commission Foster released a “Top 10″ list in which claimant’s representatives can help reduce the backlog and expedite claims.  The list is as follows:

1.       Do not send duplicative evidence

2.       Submit records as early as possible

3.       Match records to the claimant

4.       Avoid submitting a large volume of evidence at the last minute

5.       With eFaxing, make sure the bar code is on each medical source

6.       Submit concise pre-hearing briefs

7.       Clearly label a request for an “on the record” decision and submit the request as early as possible

8.       When contacted by a staff attorney, help to expedite cases

9.       If a claimant is terminally ill, homeless, or in other “dire circumstances,” submit available documentation

10.   Do not request a postponement unless essential

I am pleased to say that at Sims & Stakenborg we have procedures in place which address every element of the “Top 10″ list.

If you have questions about your Social Security Disability Claim, Cross Examination of Medical Experts or In-House Lawyer and Paralegal seminars, please call us at 352-629-0480 for a free consultation. We invite you to visit us on the web.

Tags: Procedure

On May 12, the 2009 Social Security Trustees Annual Report to Congress was released.

In the 2009 Annual Report to Congress, the Trustees announced:

• The projected point at which tax revenues will fall below program costs comes in 2016 — one year sooner than the estimate in last year’s report.

• The projected point at which the Trust Funds will be exhausted comes in 2037 — four years sooner than the estimate in last year’s report.

• The projected actuarial deficit over the 75-year long-range period is 2.00 percent of taxable payroll — up from 1.70 percent in last year’s report.

• Over the 75-year period, the Trust Funds would require additional revenue equivalent to $5.3 trillion in today’s dollars to pay all scheduled benefits.

You can learn more about the highlights of the Trustee’s Report at: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pressoffice/pr/trustee09-pr.htm

You can also view the full Trustee’s Report at: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/TR/2009/

If you have questions about your Social Security Disability Claim, Cross Examination of Medical Experts or In-House Lawyer and Paralegal seminars, please call us at 352-629-0480 for a free consultation. We invite you to visit us on the web.

Tags: News

Sunday, June 21, 2009, is Father’s Day.  I would like to take a minute and wish all fathers a very happy Father’s Day!!

Tags: Holidays

If you have received a Partially Favorable decision from the Administration, you may wonder whether you should appeal in order to try to obtain the benefits that the Administration did not allow.  You have the right to appeal the decision and generally your appeal must be filed within 60 days of the date the decision was made.  However, beware of the risks of appealing a Partially Favorable decision.

Although failure to appeal the decision will result in the decision becoming final and you will generally lose entitlement to all benefits for the period that it was determined you were not disabled, there are also risks to filing an appeal.  If an appeal is filed and the claim is reviewed and/or scheduled for a hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge, the Judge could review the entire decision, including the portion of the decision finding you disabled.  It is possible that a new hearing could result in an Unfavorable decision and the loss of benefits that you previously were granted.  It is always a good idea to speak with someone who understands these risks prior to making a decision on whether or not to appeal a Partially Favorable decision.

If you have questions about your Social Security Disability Claim, Cross Examination of Medical Experts or In-House Lawyer and Paralegal seminars, please call us at 352-629-0480 for a free consultation. We invite you to visit us on the web.

Tags: Appeals, Benefits

Hurricane Season is upon us and I want to remind everyone when preparing yourself and your family for the hurricane season not to forget about your PETS!!  You should contact your veterinarian or local humane society for information on preparing your pets for an emergency.

BEFORE THE DISASTER

• Make sure that your pets are current on their vaccinations.  Pet shelters may require proof of vaccines.
• Have a current photograph
• Keep a collar with identification on your pet and have a leash on hand to control your pet.
• Have a properly-sized pet carrier for each animal - carriers should be large enough for the animal to stand and turn around.
• Plan your evacuation strategy and don’t forget your pet!  Specialized pet shelters, animal control shelters, veterinary clinics and friends and relatives out of harm’s way are ALL potential refuges for your pet during a disaster.

If you plan to shelter your pet - work it into your evacuation route planning.

DURING THE DISASTER

Animals brought to a pet shelter are required to have:  Proper identification collar and rabies tag, proper identification on all belongings, a carrier or cage, a leash, an ample supply of food, water and food bowls, any necessary medications, specific care instructions and news papers or trash bags for clean-up.  Bring pets indoor well in advance of a storm - reassure them and remain calm.  Pet shelters will be filled on first come, first served basis.  Also, it is recommended that you call ahead and determine availability.

AFTER THE DISASTER

Walk pets on a leash until they become re-oriented to their home - often familiar scents and landmarks may be altered and pets could easily be confused and become lost.  Also, downed power lines, reptiles brought in with high water and debris can all pose a threat for animals after a disaster.  If pets cannot be found after a disaster, contact the local animal control office to find out where lost animals can be recovered.  Bring along a picture of your pet if possible. After a disaster animals’ can become aggressive or defensive - monitor their behavior.

Don’t forget your pet when preparing a family disaster plan.

PET DISASTER SUPPLY KIT

• Proper identification including immunization records
• Ample supply of food and water
• A carrier or cage
• Medications
• Muzzle, collar and leash

“Hurricane Preparedness.”  National Hurricane Center.  5 June 2009. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/prepare/pet_plan.shtml

If you have questions about your Social Security Disability Claim, Cross Examination of Medical Experts or In-House Lawyer and Paralegal seminars, please call us at 352-629-0480 for a free consultation. We invite you to visit us on the web.

Tags: Tips