Pennsylvania Veterans Employment Preference
Veterans and disabled veterans receive preference when applying for federal, state, county, and local government jobs in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania offers preference to veterans, spouses of disabled veterans, and gold star spouses applying to state jobs by adding 10 points to the civil service exam. City job applicants receive a 15-percent addition to their civil service exam. Preference is also given during promotion consideration.
Veterans must have an honorable discharge to receive preference, and veterans or eligible spouses must meet the minimum requirements for the position.
What Medical Conditions Are Covered Under Disability In Ohio
The Blue Book is a publication issued by the SSA, which is updated each year and lists mental and physical conditions that qualify a person to receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits or Supplemental Security Income .
Some of the many conditions listed in the Blue Book include:
- Cancer
- Mental disorders such as anxiety and depression
- Back injuries and other musculoskeletal issues
- Kidney disease
- Cardiovascular conditions such as coronary artery disease and heart failure
- Bone marrow failure and hematological disorders
- Hearing and vision loss
- Irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive tract problems
- Respiratory illnesses such as asthma and COPD
- Neurological disorders such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and Parkinsons disease
- Immune system disorders such as HIV/AIDS and rheumatoid arthritis
- Sjogrens syndrome
What Happens If The Adult Child Gets Married
If he or she receives benefits as a disabled “adult child,” the benefits generally end if he or she gets married. However, some marriages are considered protected.
The rules vary depending on the situation. Contact a Social Security representative at 1-800-772-1213 to find out if the benefits can continue.
1-800-772-1213
To speed up the application process, complete an Adult Disability Report and have it available at the time of your appointment.
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You May Qualify For Legal Assistance
Youre nearly 3x more likely to get benefits if a Pennsylvania disability lawyer files your application for you. An experienced Social Security attorney can call you right away and answer your claim questions free of charge. You can get a free, no-obligation, confidential consultation before starting your Pennsylvania disability application. All Pennsylvania disability lawyers work on contingency. That means if the SSA wont approve your application, you owe that lawyer $0 for helping you. And if you do get benefits, then youll only pay a small, one-time fee.
Ready to see if you may qualify? Click the button below to start your free online benefits evaluation now!
Ssi Payment Amounts: 2020
Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, is paid based on financial need. In Pennsylvania, you must have little income and few assets. The total value of your assets must be less than $2,000 . A person applying for SSI does not need to meet work requirements or even have any employment history at all to qualify, as long as he or she has a disabling mental or physical condition that prevents him or her from working.
In Pennsylvania, the maximum Supplemental Security Income amounts for 2020 are:
- For an individual living independently: $783 monthly
- For a couple living independently: $1,175 monthly
- For an individual living in someone elses household: $522 monthly
- For a couple living in someone elses household: $783.34 monthly
These figures are adjusted regularly for inflation. You may also be entitled to money from the state of Pennsylvania, which supplements federal SSI benefits for disabled residents. If you receive SSI, you can also apply for Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program , which can help you get more food without spending your SSI benefit. You may also be eligible for other benefits and services.
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About Va Claims Insider
VA Claims insider is an education-based coaching/consulting company. Were here for disabled veterans exploring eligibility for increased VA disability benefits and who wish to learn more about that process. We also connect veterans with independent medical professionals in our referral network for medical examinations, disability evaluations, and credible independent medical opinions and nexus statements for a wide range of disability conditions.
Determining If You Are Eligible For Benefits
The first step in the SSD process is determining if you are eligible for Social Security disability benefits and, if so, which benefits you are entitled to receive.
Social Security offers two benefits programs:
- Social Security Disability Insurance : To qualify for SSDI benefits, you must have an eligible medical condition that prevents you from working. This condition must meet the Social Security Administrations definition of a disability. Next, you must have earned enough work credits, meaning you worked enough jobs that were covered by Social Security for enough time.
- Supplemental Security Income : To qualify for SSI benefits, you do not need any work credits. Instead, you must have a qualifying medical condition that is considered a disability, be over the age of 65,or be blind, and you must have limited income, assets, and resources. Additionally, SSI is only available to U.S. citizens, nationals, and certain immigrants.
Once you have completed and submitted your Social Security disability application, the field office where you filed your claim will send your application to The Bureau of Disability Determination .
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What To Expect With Your Ssdi Or Ssi Claim In Pennsylvania
TheSocial Security disability process can be a highly complex and time-consuming one. Claimants often find themselves facing various roadblocks that stand between them and their benefits. At Metzger Wickersham, we understand just how frustrating this is, which is why we are here to assist you at every stage of the process.
Here, we have put together a general outline of the SSD process, as well as what you can expect when filing forSocial Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income . Continue reading to learn more about filing for SSD in Pennsylvania orcontact us directly to discuss your unique case with one of our experienced Social Security disability lawyers. We are available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can provide the answers and information you need to move forward with your claim.
Contact Metzger Wickersham online or by phone at. Your initial consultation is free, and there are no fees unless our attorneys recover benefits on your behalf.
Why Is It Important To Hire An Ssd Attorney For Winning Disability Benefits For Wrist Pain
Even if a claimant has enough documented evidence favoring oneâs claim, if it is not presented in front of the judge in an appropriate way, the claimant may not be able to get the decision in his or her favor. For this, the claimant needs to hire an experienced attorney who can prepare and present the claimantâs case in the best possible way so that Disability Benefit is granted, as the disability attorney has significant knowledge as to what the judge might require of the claimant during the hearing and what are the other relevant information that needs to be furnished in front of the judge at the time of hearing to win a disability claim for wrist pain. It should be noted here that an SSD attorney gets paid only after the claimant has been granted disability benefit, thus the attorney does all he or she can to get the claimant win the disability benefits.
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Can You Get Disability Benefits For Wrist Pain
Wrist Pain is one of the most common complaints that people present with to their treating physicians. This is more so with the advent of technology where more and more people spend long hours in front of the computer typing. This not only results in the fingers getting fatigued, but also compresses the median nerve, which passes through the wrist resulting in weakness of the wrist. This weakness causes the individual to lose his or her ability to type, hold objects, or grip objects resulting in them dropping even light objects like a coffee cup easily. People most likely to have wrist pain are those who work in the computer industry, data entry operators, people who work in construction and have to grip and hold heavy objects and the like.
Due to the compression of the nerve, there is excruciating wrist pain which prevents an individual to effectively carry out their tasks effectively at home or at work. If the wrist pain is mild to moderate then wrist splints and braces can be used for treatment, but if this pain becomes chronic and the individual is not able to grip or grasp items, then a surgery may also be required. This surgery may or may not completely alleviate the symptomatology. If the individual continues to have persistent wrist pain despite all forms of treatment, then the individual can file for a disability benefits due to wrist pain.
Requirements For Obtaining Disability Benefits In Pennsylvania
Statistics estimate that about 13.4% of Pennsylvanians have a disability. For some, their health conditions are easy to manage but others have impairments that are so severe that employment becomes completely impossible. When a medical condition negatively impacts your ability to earn income, the financial consequences can be devastating. Fortunately, you may be able to qualify for social security disability benefits through the Social Security Administration .
Unfortunately, it can often be extremely difficult to qualify without the assistance of an experienced disability benefits attorney. Statistically speaking, well over half of all Pennsylvania claimants are denied after making their initial application, and the denial rate skyrockets to about 90% during the Reconsideration stage of appeals. While it may be difficult to get a claim approved, it isnt impossible but you do need a basic understanding of the eligibility criteria and application process. Read on to learn more about the requirements for getting SSDI in Pennsylvania from the legal team at Young, Marr & Associates.
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Apply For Benefits Online
You should apply for disability benefits as soon as you become disabled. Follow these easy steps to apply online for disability:
- To start your application, go to our Apply for Benefits page, and read and agree to the Terms of Service. Click Next.
- On that page, review the Getting Ready section to make sure you have the information you need to apply.
- Select Start A New Application.
- We will ask a few questions about who is filling out the application.
- You will then sign into your mySocial Security account, or you will be prompted to create one.
- Complete the application.
You can use the online application to apply for disability benefits if you:
- Are age 18 or older.
- Are not currently receiving benefits on your own Social Security record.
- Are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death and
- Have not been denied for disability in the last 60 days.
Note: If your application was recently denied, our application is a starting point to request a review of the determination we made.
You may be able to file online for SSI at the same time that you file for SSDI benefits. Once you complete the online process above, a Social Security representative will contact you if we need additional information.
Talk To An Ohio Disability And Benefits Attorney Today
If you think you might be eligible for disability benefits, if you need to appeal an unfavorable disability decision, or if you have a question about accessing your benefits, call Heller, Maas, Moro & Magill Co., LPA today. Our Ohio disability and benefits lawyers have over 25 years of experience helping people seek the benefits they deserve. We want to do the same for you.
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Talk To A Lawyer About Your Condition
Even with all this information, it can be difficult to know whether you qualify for SSDI or SSI benefits in Pennsylvania, without talking to an attorney. At Handler, Henning & Rosenberg LLC, we know how the SSA determines whether applicants are disabled. We can talk to you about your condition, review your medical records, and use medical experts of our own to help prove you have a qualifying disability.
Get the help and support you need. Call today!
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Your Impairment Does Not Have To Be On The Ssas List
If you want to apply for Social Security Disability benefits, it is important to note that your impairment does not have to appear on the SSAs list. Examples of such conditions include carpal tunnel syndrome and celiac disease, among others.
However, you must present a formal diagnosis of your condition to the SSA that shows it is a medically determinable impairment that prevents you from functioning in full capacity. This means your condition must be severe enough to prevent you from working or performing your daily activities. This reduction in capacity is known as the residual functional capacity.
If your disability meets the SSAs requirements, it might consider it to be equivalent to a listed condition. You must obtain this diagnosis from your doctor to prove your condition, but it is only the start of the process. It does not mean you will automatically receive approval for benefits.
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If I Am Turned Down Can I Appeal
You have the right to appeal if the Social Security Administration turns down your application for SSI.
There are four appeal steps in most states:
- Reconsideration,
- Hearing by an Administrative Law Judge,
- Appeals Council Review, and
- Federal Court Review.
In October of 1999, as part of a program to redesign the disability process, the reconsideration step was eliminated in ten states, including Pennsylvania.
Therefore, in Pennsylvania, if you are denied SSI on your first application the following appeals are available:
- Hearing by an Administrative Law Judge. You can ask for a hearing at which you can explain your side of the case to an Administrative Law Judge. It is a good idea to have an attorney at this stage.
- Appeals Council Review. If the Administrative Law Judge decides against you, you have the right to ask that your case be reviewed again by the Social Security Administration Appeals Council. It is a good idea to have an attorney at this stage also.
- Federal Court Review. If the Appeals Council decides against you, you have the right to file a lawsuit and ask a Federal Court to grant you benefits. It is important to have an attorney at this stage.
At each stage of your case, you must appeal within 60 days of the date you received your denial notice, unless you can show a very good reason for being late.
Which Medical Conditions Are Likely To Qualify For Disability
While any of the above medical conditions are SSDI and SSI qualifying disabilities, some medical conditions are more likely to lead to an approval of benefits than others. We recently surveyed our readers about their experiences in applying for disability benefits and compared their answers to government statistics. The conditions most likely to get approved were multiple sclerosis and some types of cancers. Respiratory disorders and joint disease were also high on the list. For the details, see our article on survey statistics on getting Social Security disability for common medical conditions.
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How To Apply For Va Disability Benefits
If you believe that you qualify for VA disability benefits, you must complete the Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits and submit it along with supporting evidence of your service-connected illness or injury to receive a disability rating.
Documents youll need to substantiate your claim may include:
- Military personnel records, including the DD-214, deployment orders, pay records, medals, and certificates
- Social Security Administration records
- VA Medical Center records
- Public Health Service records
- Private doctors medical records
- Federal workers compensation records
- Veterans personal statement
- Statements from the veterans friends, family, and fellow service members, who have knowledge of the injury/illness and its impact.
The VA is required to search for relevant records from any federal agency on the veterans behalf if the vet adequately identifies them and authorizes the VA to obtain them. Even with information the veteran submits or identifies, the VA may require the vet to undergo a medical examination.
A veteran who can certify that he or she has submitted all evidence that might be needed to decide their claim may submit it through the Fully Developed Claims Program , which is intended to allow the VA to expedite the claims process. If there is a piece of relevant evidence missing from the claim file, the VA will obtain it and process the claim the traditional way.
We Will Make Sure Your Disability Benefits Application Is Error
If you hire one of our attorneys for tasks related to your SSDI or SSI application, we will ensure your application is accurate and manage the appeals process as necessary. At our firm, we handle all aspects of your claim, from filing your claim to the appeals process, so that you can focus on your health and well-being.
We will help you understand the SSAs designated conditions and related medical requirements and your status regarding those. If you need further medical evaluation to establish your disability, we can advise you if that is the case.
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Depression And Related Disorders
This group is listed in § 12.03 of the Blue Book, and includes more than just depression. Depression, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder I, bipolar disorder II, cyclothymic disorder, and dysthymia area all included in this section.
These disorders include feelings of depression, loss of interest or pleasure, hopelessness, guilt, suicidal thoughts, and physical effects including changes in weight, appetite, sleep, and energy. If these thoughts, feelings, and physical effects are severe enough to interfere with your work, you may qualify for disability. Since this is likely one of the most widely-diagnosed disorders, proving your disability is severe enough to affect work is crucial to getting disability coverage.