By: Dan Herbeck, The Buffalo News First of two parts Kelly Page was a happy, hard-working North Buffalo woman when a brain aneurysm and a stroke rocked her world. It was spring in 2016 when her family began to notice that Page, 41, was forgetting things. She had trouble remembering…
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Prior to COVID-19, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claimants were required to appear in person to have their hearings in front of Administrative Law Judges (ALJs). This often meant traveling long distances by car or public transportation, finding reasonable parking, and getting through a security check before reaching the hearing…
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Currently, Social Security Disability (SSD) claimants must wait 5 months after their disability starts to be entitled to monthly benefit payments. Then, even after they are entitled to receive payments, they must wait 2 years to receive health insurance through Medicare. These mandatory waiting periods may be over soon. U.S.…
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When someone has been injured at or developed an illness due to work and can’t return to their job, they are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. If sustained injuries are severe enough to prevent the victim from working again in any capacity, they may also qualify for Social Security Disability…
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Facing a serious medical condition or assisting a loved one through their medical issues can be incredibly stressful. While qualified employees can temporarily step away from their jobs without fear of employer retaliation through the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), serious financial implications can follow. You may be wondering…
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Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a program run by both the federal and state governments to help individuals living with extremely limited financial resources. There are strict income and asset thresholds in order to qualify for SSI benefits, so there’s not much you can do to increase the amount you…
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Prior to 1981, Social Security Administration (SSA) offered college student benefits, but they were eliminated once Congress passed the Reconciliation Act Repeal of Social Security. Now, SSA does not offer education benefits as part of their disability programs, but programs funded at the state level might be available, depending on…
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Endometriosis, which only affects women, is caused when tissue that normally lines the uterus grows elsewhere, usually in the pelvis, ovaries, or fallopian tubes. The tissue does not know it is in the wrong place, however, and continues to act as normal by thickening and shedding blood during a woman’s…
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Securing disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA) is a big achievement. However, if you’re considering a move outside of the United States, your payments could be affected. Factors like your citizenship status, the types of benefits you qualified for, and your chosen foreign residence can potentially impact your…
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Mental health disorders are known for being generally tricky to prove for Social Security disability benefits. Of these conditions, one of the most difficult to verify for the Social Security Administration (SSA) is borderline personality disorder. Many people who suffer from borderline personality disorder, often called BPD, do not frequently…
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