Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Traumatic Brain Injury and Disability Benefits
The importance of the brain’s health to a person’s ability to function cannot be overstated. The brain controls everything in the body, and when a traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs, the victims are likely to experience some form of disability, at least in the short-term. When these injuries lead to permanent impairments, the sufferers… Read More »
How the Social Security Administration Decides If You Are Disabled
Recent news has been filled with reports about Social Security, as the White House and some Republican lawmakers seek to cut funding and access to federal benefits programs. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) would be directly affected by such changes, which would make it even harder to secure and retain disability benefits once they… Read More »
Avoiding Missteps If Your SSDI Application Is Denied
Waiting weeks for a response, only to receive a denial of one’s Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claim, is devastating. When someone takes the time to file an SSDI claim, a process that takes a considerable amount of time, it is because they need the monthly benefit to make ends meet. Thoughts of giving… Read More »
Disability Benefits and Wounded Military Veterans
Making the decision to join the military and serve one’s country is a big commitment that can bring significant and life-changing consequences if a person is injured in the line of duty. As conflicts in the Middle East continue, more military service personnel will risk the possibility of sustaining significantly- and permanently- disabling physical… Read More »
Disability and Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease
Disability can disrupt the most carefully laid plans. People typically hit their peak professionally in their 40s and 50s, and most do not think about diseases associated with old age since retirement and slowing down still seems far off. One of the most insidious and debilitating conditions that can rob a person of their… Read More »
Monthly Payments and Other Benefits Offered under SSDI
When someone is seeking approval for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, the primary concern is getting the letter saying benefits are forthcoming. However, for long-term financial planning and developing viable systems of support, the claimant needs to know how much money he/she can expect to receive monthly, and what, if any, other benefits… Read More »
What Can Trigger a Termination of Disability Benefits?
Those with disabling conditions typically feel a big sense of relief once they receive the letter saying their disability benefits are approved. Whether through an employer-sponsored insurance policy or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), the financial worry from not working is reduced. While the hard part appears to be over, keeping awarded benefits becomes… Read More »
The Role of Your Doctor in a SSDI Claim
One of the first things a person does at the onset of a serious and disabling condition is to consult a doctor. The initial days and weeks of assessing and learning about a debilitating impairment are scary and stressful for those afflicted. Doctors are the first and primary source for dealing with disabling conditions,… Read More »
Challenging a Denial of Disability Benefits from Your Insurance Company
Disability insurance is one of the many types of coverage offered by insurance companies. People pay for insurance with the expectation that when life’s unexpected emergencies occur, the policy will kick-in and pay for at least some of the costs incurred. Basically, insurance policies are supposed to act as a buffer and relieve some… Read More »
New SSDI Regulations Change the Weight Given to Medical Evidence
Anyone facing a disabling condition must adjust to the constant rotation of doctors’ visits needed to monitor prescribed medication and to address symptoms and functional limitations. The impact of a disability is pervasive, often overwhelming, and these medical consultations reflect efforts by sufferers to find some relief. When these individuals seek approval for disability… Read More »