Oklahoma City Social Security Disability Law Blog

Oklahomans who are suffering from chronic illnesses can have their entire lives affected by trying to mitigate the symptoms and get relief. Since these issues can prevent them from being able to hold a job, Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits can be critical to making ends meet and getting medical care as they try to survive and improve their condition. Chronic liver disease can be debilitating and warrant SSD benefits. Understanding how the Social Security Administration (SSA) evaluates it and what symptoms are present when it manifests is key.

Those with chronic liver disease can be characterized by a variety of issues, including inflammation, cell necrosis, fibrosis, cirrhosis and other problems that last for more than six months. Various medical conditions can come about, including hypertension and liver cancer. If there is a substantial loss of liver function, there can be hemorrhaging and more. The laboratory findings can indicate there is a progressive deterioration of the liver's function. For those with end stage liver disease, the only option is a transplant.

Mental illness is a continuing problem for many people in Oklahoma and across the nation. If the problem is so severe that the person cannot work, it can warrant an approval for Social Security disability benefits. When filing for disability benefits, one of the key factors in getting approved is the evidence provided. For those with a mental disorder, it is imperative to provide sufficient evidence to have a good chance of getting the benefits. Before moving forward with a claim, it is useful to consult with a legal professional experienced in SSD cases.

With a mental disorder, there is certain evidence the SSA will need. For medical evidence, it must be from acceptable sources and show that there is a medically determinable impairment. It must show the severity and how it impacts the person's ability to work. Medical evidence will be considered based on the source like a doctor, psychologist, nurse practitioners and counselors. The symptoms, medical history, tests, imaging results, laboratory findings, diagnosis, medications, therapy and its impact, side effects, clinical course and more will be part of the process.

Oklahomans who are either getting Social Security disability or Supplemental Security Income will receive a certain amount in benefits every month. Regardless of whether they are getting SSD or SSI, they should be cognizant of periodic increases in the amount they get. This frequently depends on various factors including the cost of living. It was recently announced by the Social Security Administration that people getting these benefits will receive an increase in 2020. For those already getting these benefits or seeking them, this can be an important piece of news.

The SSA stated that the benefits will increase by 1.6 percent in 2020. This is based on the cost-of-living adjustment. The calculation stems from inflation and goes into effect when there is a rise in the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index. For more than 8 million people who are getting SSI benefits, the change will begin on New Year's Eve. For the approximately 63 million who get Social Security, it will increase in January.

If an Oklahoma resident is injured, ill or has a condition that results in an inability to work, Social Security Disability benefits can be a critical factor in making ends meet and getting treatment. However, many people are denied SSD benefits even if they seem to have a solid case from the beginning. This might not be due to factors related to their condition, but because of the information - or lack thereof - they provided to the Social Security Administration during the application process. There is a five-step process the SSA uses to make its determinations and it is important for people to adhere to this to have the best chance at an approval.

The SSA will not only want to know if the person can work and if they can do the same type of work they did before, but it will need information as to whether the person can do other kinds of work. A key part of that is the person's age. The SSA has certain criteria when it assesses a person's age in the context of the ability to do other kinds of work. The SSA will consider the person's chronological age and their residual functional capacity. It also looks at work experience and education. Age is not the sole determinative factor when the SSA considers if the person can adapt to a different type of work. If the person is advancing in age, this could limit that adjustment.