Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Cuts to Social Security’s disability programs could have a negative impact on many Americans since people in Missouri and across the country rely on SSDI payments to make ends meet when they can no longer work. However, cuts may hurt rural communities more than urban ones overall, according to a recent study from the University of Illinois.

That’s because, on average, more people in rural communities rely on SSDI than in urban areas. For instance, in urban areas in Illinois and Missouri, the study found that about 5 percent of residents received SSDI payments after a disabling accident, injury, or illness. This number jumps to about 9.3 percent of those living in rural areas. When these people do not have access to the funds they need to pay their basic bills, the entire community suffers from decreased sales or from people moving to places where basic needs are either cheaper or where they can get help that reduced SSDI payments no longer cover, according to the study.

Social Security disability does more than just make payments to those who are disabled from an injury or illness. It also gives these people the ability to continue participating in the economy and society by being able to purchase both basic needs like groceries and adaptive equipment to help them stay connected to their local communities. When Social Security benefits are cut, everyone suffers.

If you or someone you love is facing disability, please don’t hesitate to contact an experienced Missouri SSDI attorney. A skilled lawyer will help you through every step of the process and fight on your side for the benefits you need. For a free and confidential consultation, call Page Law today at (314) 322-8515.

When the Social Security Administration (SSA) denies an initial claim for disability or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, the person who is denied is allowed to appeal the decision. There are four different levels of appeal, according to the SSA: reconsideration, hearing, Appeals Council, and federal court. An experienced SSDI attorney may help you through the process at all four stages.

During reconsideration, the initial claim is reviewed by someone who did not participate in handling your claim the first time. The person reviews any new medical records or other evidence as well as everything you submitted with your original application.

If you are turned down after reconsideration, you may ask for a hearing with the SSA. Hearings take place in front of an administrative law judge. You may be represented by an attorney during your hearing and may present evidence to the judge as to why your claim should be granted.

If the administrative law judge upholds the SSDI denial, the next step is to take the case to the Appeals Council, also part of the SSA. The Appeals Council may decide not to hear the case, if it believes the administrative law judge made the right call. If this happens, or if the Appeals Council hears your case but turns you down anyway, you may appeal to a federal district court. You do not have to take any of these steps alone: an attorney can help you through the entire process.

An experienced St. Louis injury attorney is dedicated to helping people receive the support of disability payments they need. If you're facing disability and need help navigating the Social Security process, call Page Law today at (314) 322-8515 for a free and confidential consultation.

The Social Security Administration, or SSA, provides benefits to disabled citizens who can no longer work. For decades, the SSA has paid these benefits by sending a physical check in the mail to each recipient.

Starting in May 2011, however, the SSA will no longer provide paper checks to new enrollees. Those who start receiving Social Security benefit payments after May 1, 2011 may only receive their benefits by an electronic system - not by receiving a paper check in the mail.

People receiving Social Security benefits have two options for receiving electronic benefits. The first is to have the money sent directly to a checking or savings account. To do this, recipients will have to provide the SSA with their account number and routing number, available from the bank. The second option is to receive a prepaid “Direct Express” debit card to access the payments.

The change is part of a larger re-designing of the Social Security disability benefits system, the goal of which is to eliminate paper checks entirely by 2013. About 80 percent of those who are currently receiving benefits already get them by electronic transfer. Those who still receive paper checks, however, have until May 2013 to switch to the electronic system. The SSA website at godirect.org has been set up to help people make the change.

Social Security disability benefits are available for people who have suffered a disability that prevents them from working at least one year or will result in their death. The disability may be due to illness, injury, genetic conditions, or a combination of these factors. An experienced Missouri Social Security disability check attorney can help you navigate the process of applying for Social Security disability benefits.