Social Security Disability Blog

The Cleveland Social Security hearing office is moving to a new location in Tower City. The Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) will now be located at the Skylight Office Tower in Tower City Center. Their new address is: Office of Disability Adjudication and Review 1660 West 2nd St Room 500 Cleveland, OH 44113 For a layout of Skylight Office Tower and directions to the new ODAR office, please follow the link below. Skylight Office Tower layout and ODAR office directions More...

The Supreme Court issued an opinion on May 16th entitled Cigna Corp. v. Amara which lends itself to a series of differing interpretations.  The Long Term Disability law, ERISA, often has rules which greatly favors insurance companies over individual rights, including very deferential standards of review for the denial of LTD benefits.  The Amara case involved errors and misstatements to Cigna employees about the extent of their pension plan rights. While the Supreme Court reversed the Court of Appeals in favor of Cigna, it felt that a different part of the law (29 USC 1132(a)(3) allowed employees to seek equitable relief if no other portion of the statute specifies… Continue Reading New Long Term Disability Case More...

While many people apply for Social Security Disability, there is both information and dis-information out there about how the process works and when benefits are awarded.   Whether people get information from the internet, or stories from friends and family, or even the government, some of the misconceptions only serve to frustrate, intimidate, and deter people deserving of help. While it is true that navigating the bureaucratic maze that Social Security has constructed can be difficult at times, the benefits are there for those who qualify and it is imperative that you don’t give up. Having someone fighting for you, defending your rights, and making sure… Continue Reading Misconceptions about the Social Security process More...

If you have any questions about Social Security, long-term disability, employment law or litigation, feel free to email your question to [email protected]/wp and we will try to answer your question or post the issue in future articles.  For more immediate help or representation, call 1-800-234-7792. More...

No one deserves peace-of-mind  more than a disabled individual who has already established entitlement to Social Security benefits.  Usually the only requirement for benefits to continue without interruption is for the individual to continue with medical care, follow medical advice and not engage in substantial work activity. However, circumstances can affect the level of a benefit payment and must be dealt with directly to avoid an overpayment of disability. Overpayments are aggressively pursued by Social Security so the best defense is a good offense. Overpayments generally occur when there has been work activity or if the individual is receiving benefits from another disability/injury  program such… Continue Reading Receiving Benefits – Avoid Overpayments More...

Many of our clients are confronted with work restrictions where they want to work and do their job, but there are physical or even mental health disabilities which impede their overall productivity.  From the employer’s view, they want to insure that the employee can still do the job and are often unjustly concerned about perceived increased costs and safety.  This scenario calls into play the reasonable accommodation provisions in disability law where a balanced approach is undertaken to allow the employee to work.  Under the accommodation provisions, the employee may be allowed to modify the job to some extent so long as they still do the… Continue Reading Disability Discrimination and the Issues You Should Know More...

Social Security Disability processing times for selected states and cities. Continue Reading Disability Processing Time 10/1/2010 – 9/30/2011 More...

While there are a number of protections for employees, the framework of employment law is generally premised on the employment at will doctrine. For employees who do not have a contract, which are most employees in Ohio, considerable leeway is given to an employer in a discharge or disciplinary action. Continue Reading Your Rights Under Federal and Ohio Employment Law More...

Deciding to file for Social Security benefits is an important decision, but filing the actual application for Disability or SSI should not be confusing or intimidating. The Social Security Administration offers different options for claiming benefits in an attempt to make this process more comfortable. An application can be filed in person at a local social security office,by callingSocial Security at 1-800-772-1213 or by going on-line at www.ssa.gov.  The disabled individual can file a claim on his or her own or with the help of a family member or friend.  Assistance can be provided by an intake worker at the Social Security office or  a private… Continue Reading The First Step: Filing an Application for Disability Insurance Benefits or Supplemental Security Income. More...

Commissioner Michael J. Astrue of the Social Security Administration (SSA) took action to expand the SSA Compassionate Allowance (CAL) conditions program. Commissioner Astrue added fifty-two (52) illnesses, diseases, and impairments to the CAL conditions list. Social Security implemented the CAL program in 2008 to fast-track cases when Americans are suffering from the most serious disabilities. Continue Reading Commissioner Michael J. Astrue of the Social Security Administration (SSA) took action to expand the SSA Compassionate Allowance (CAL) conditions program. Commissioner Astrue added fifty-two (52) illnesses, diseases, and impairments to the CAL conditions More...