New Jersey Social Security Disability Law Blog

Helping you secure SSD benefits for a disabling disease

On behalf of The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur posted in Social Security Disability Benefits for Illnesses on Thursday, August 9, 2018.

There are some diseases that can be controlled by treatment. In these cases, an individual is able to lead a normal life so long as these treatments remain. On the other hand, some individuals in New Jersey and elsewhere are unable to live a normal life despite their efforts to keep the illness under control through medical treatment and interventions. In some cases, the disease can progress, impacting a person in all facets of life. This means that he or she is unable to work because of their current medical condition.

Take diabetes for example. This is a condition where a person's blood sugar levels are too high. For the most part, people living with diabetes are able to control the disorder by monitoring their blood glucose levels and taking insulin injections. However, this may not be the solution for everyone. If the body does not make insulin or use it adequately, too much glucose will remain in the blood. Over time, this can cause damage to organs and nerve. Often, the eyes and kidneys are impacted. Diabetes can cause heart disease, stroke and could cause the need for the amputation of a limb.

What is a spinal cord injury?

On behalf of The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur posted in Social Security Disability Benefits for Injuries on Friday, August 3, 2018.

Whether it is because of a fall at work, an automobile collision or any other form of accident, suffering an injury to the back can be serious. It can be so serious that it can cause a person to suffer a disability. An injury to the back could impact the spinal cord, even making it impossible to move some of one's body temporarily or permanently. Because of this, those living with a spinal cord injury may find it impossible to care for him or herself, do the things they once could or even work. This is where Social Security disability benefits could be resourceful and necessary.

What is a spinal cord injury? This is an injury that damages any part of the spinal cord or the nerves located at the end of the spinal canal. When a spinal injury occurs, it likely causes permanent changes in the body with regards to strength, sensation and other bodily function below the sit of injury.

Understanding the benefits of the compassionate allowance program

On behalf of The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur posted in Social Security Disability Benefits for Illnesses on Friday, July 27, 2018.

No matter your age, being diagnosed with an illness is difficult news to take in. The first thing running through a person's mind is what options they have to fight this disease. The next thing one thinks about is likely how the disease and the treatment plan will impact his or her life. It is not easy to accept that an illness has taken over your life; however, individuals New Jersey and elsewhere have options to overcome the financial hardships a serious or terminal illness can have on a person.

In order to obtain Social Security disability benefits, one must meet the definition of the listed condition. However, when it comes to serious and terminal conditions, a mechanism was put in place to quickly identify and approve these applicants. The compassionate allowance list contains a list of diseases and other medical conditions that clearly meet the SSA's standard for and definition of disability.

Act to waive 5-month wait for SSD benefits for ASL

On behalf of The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur posted in Social Security Disability on Friday, July 20, 2018.

Being diagnosed with a serious medical condition is a life-changing event. Not only are you dealing with the symptoms and medical treatments associated with the illness, but you are also trying to adjust your life because of it. While Social Security Disability benefits could offer these individuals much assistance, many are fearful that they will be denied benefits or that they will be required to wait and extensive amount of time to obtain approval. In some cases, an illness is so severe and dire that it requires these funds right away.

For those with terminal illnesses, the compassionate allowance program provides an option to obtain quick and timely approval. Unfortunately, not all severe and terminal illnesses are included on this list. According to recent reports, and Act is being considered that would waive the five-month waiting period for those disabled with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS. This would help enable applicants to immediately begin to receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits.

Qualifying for SSDI with an eating disorder

On behalf of The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur on Wednesday, July 18, 2018.

If you are like many in New Jersey who struggle with an eating disorder, it affects every area of your life. Not only does your health suffer, but your condition impacts your family, your social life and your ability to work a steady job. Seeking treatment is expensive, and the most effective treatment involves an intense and systematic confronting of the many physical, psychological and emotional issues involved. Holding a job while undergoing this treatment may be next to impossible.

Unfortunately, as debilitating as an eating disorder can be, the Social Security Administration lists none of the common eating disorders as qualifying conditions for disability insurance benefits. Since the most appropriate and complete therapy possible is essential for making a full recovery, you may find it helpful to have a legal advocate assisting you in finding the best way to seek SSDI.

What is the definition of a mental illness?

On behalf of The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur posted in Social Security Disability Benefits for Mental Conditions on Friday, July 13, 2018.

Whether it is when a person is a child or an adult, being diagnosed with a mental illness or psychiatric disability can be a difficult reality to face. While an individual is likely aware that something is wrong with them, it doesn't make it any easier to process. Even more so, when a person suffers from such a condition, it is common for a mental illness to impact one's personal and professional life. It might be challenging to lead a normal life, and his or her mental illness disability could be so severe that it prevents them from holding down a job.

The term mental illness described a broad range of both mental and emotional conditions. It also refers to a portion of the broader term of mental impairment; however, it is different from those such as mental retardation, organic brain damage and learning disabilities. A psychiatric disability is a term used to describe a mental illness that significantly interferes with the performance of major life activities, including learning, working and communicating.

Back injuries and risks for long-term disability

On behalf of The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur posted in Social Security Disability Benefits for Injuries on Thursday, July 5, 2018.

We all get aches and pains from time to time. This is typically because we have overdone it at work, the gym or at home. These pains will often go away with rest and home remedies. However, these pains, especially those of the back, can be debilitating when a serious injury to the back occurs. This can make for a painful and challenging life, as this can disrupt one's ability to maintain a normal life and even hold down a job.

No two back injuries are the same, as there are many factors that can impact the severity of the injury and how it impacts a person. This typically includes the health care options available and taken as well as the work tasks a person has when and if they return to work. These factors can impose the risk of suffering from a long-term disability and the inability to work.

Seeking SSD benefits for injuries suffered in an accident

On behalf of The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur posted in Social Security Disability Benefits for Injuries on Thursday, June 28, 2018.

Because we are not invincible, injuries happen. While many of the injuries individuals in New Jersey and elsewhere suffer are minor, other injuries can be severe. So severe that it causes difficulties in the person's everyday life. It can be so difficult that an individual is unable to return to work. Such a situation can be problematic, as it can cause financial hardships. Thus, it is important to explore options, such as collecting Social Security disability benefits.

Social Security is not just for those that have reached retirement age. The Social Security Administration has developed programs specifically designed to help individuals living with disabilities. For those suffering from a sudden disability as a result of an accident, this situation can seem overwhelming and challenging. However, it is possible to overcome these hurdles by seeking legal assistance.

Fibromyalgia: This debilitating condition remains a mystery

On behalf of The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur on Friday, June 22, 2018.

It may have taken you some time before your condition got bad enough for you to even consider going to a doctor. You may have tried numerous home remedies before you realized that your symptoms were much more than just inconvenient. It may have taken your doctor some time to realize that you may be suffering from a condition that remains a mystery to the medical field: Fibromyalgia.

In the beginning, your doctor may have told you to take an over-the-counter pain reliever and get more rest. Finally, when all other possibilities were exhausted, you received your diagnosis. The reason this condition is so hard to diagnose is partly that it has no known cause. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason why certain people suffer from the condition while others do not.

What are the SSD requirements for epilepsy?

On behalf of The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur posted in Social Security Disability Benefits for Illnesses on Thursday, June 21, 2018.

Some medical conditions can be life impacting and scary. Take, for example, a seizure disorder. They can happen without any notice or indication, and they can spark some serious health concerns, if they occur frequently. Following a seizure, a New Jersey resident may be unable to function normally for a period of time. When a seizure disorder impacts a person's life significantly, it can be challenging to live a normal life and even hold a job.

What are the Social Security Disability (SSD) requirements for epilepsy? Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that can be characterized as one of two ways. The first is generalized tonic-clonic seizures. They occur at least once a month for at least three consecutive months, despite any prescribed treatments being followed.