Shollenberger Januzzi & Wolfe, LLP

Social Security Disability

The long wait for Social Security Disability benefits

Social Security disability benefits are a lifeline for millions of Americans who aren’t able to work due to medical issues. Getting benefits, however, is rarely easy. And it’s only gotten harder in recent years. The Social Security Administration has long labored beneath the weight of a mountainous caseload, insufficient staff...

Applying for disability benefits? Prepare for these 3 hurdles.

When you live with a disability, it’s only natural to seek assistance. Unfortunately, the process isn’t always easy, and programs that should help individuals in your circumstances might fall short. Could you benefit from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI)? Here’s what you should understand about...

Yes, a mental illness can be a disability

Mental illnesses are far more prevalent than most people realize. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, roughly 1 in 25 adults experience a serious mental illness that impacts their life in a major way. For some, this means an inability to keep a job or earn a consistent...

How does the Social Security Administration define disability? P.1

Disability can mean different things in different contexts. In everyday speech, of course, it generally refers to a mental or physical condition that impairs an individual’s ability to engage in normal activity. For purposes of Social Security disability benefits qualification, though, disability has a more precise definition. The definition of...

Answering questions about concussions in football

It’s an annual tradition like no other. September in Pennsylvania means that football season is back once again. This means that high school teams across state, college teams, even the Steelers and Eagles will once again be delighting fans and making memories. While the action is thrilling, there are definite...

Harrisburg Social Security judge grants biggest awards in US

There can be a lot of uncertainty for disabled Pennsylvania residents when they are considering filing for Social Security disability insurance benefits. The paperwork can be daunting, and the documentation that must be produced might seem like a barrier to many residents. And if applicants should be denied Social Security...

SSA proposal could make legal consultation more important

We have written from time to time on our Pennsylvania personal injury blog about how it can be important to have solid legal advice when it comes to applying for Social Security disability insurance benefits. This might become even more important if a proposal regarding requirements for Social Security disability...

25 conditions added to SSDI Compassionate Allowances list

Applying for disability benefits isn’t always described as the easiest process. Whether seeking benefits under the Social Security Disability Insurance program or the Supplemental Security Income program, any missed detail, medical document or other requirement could lead to a denial. The complexity or an initial denial is what often prompts...

Political fodder falsely implies SSD payments are easy to get

Worry and stress about the economy tends to result in strong opinions regarding all sorts of ways that our country could better utilize its money. While economic stability is an important cause, the means of getting there must be based on well-rounded, honest information. Representatives from the Social Security Administration...

Cancer is leading disability among U.S. workers

Various types of injuries and illnesses can keep someone from working. Unum, an insurance provider, reports that there is a leading cause among workers who file disability claims. Not only is cancer impacting individuals on personal, emotional, medical and family levels; it is preventing U.S. workers’ abilities to return to...

More Pennsylvanians relying on Social Security disability

Disabled residents of Pennsylvania who relied on the state’s General Assistance program have been struggling since Gov. Tom Corbett cut the program from the state budget. Many are turning to Social Security disability insurance, which can seem nearly as unattainable as the recently axed state funds. The program that provided...

CDC to baby boomers: Get tested for hepatitis C now

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention made a startling recommendation to baby boomers earlier this month: Get a blood test to see if you have hepatitis C, a disease that attacks the liver and if left untreated, can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer, all of which...

Disabled Pennsylvanians have much to gain from health care ruling

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the highly controversial Affordable Care Act could have a significant impact on people with disabilities in Pennsylvania, according to many advocates. With so many residents being denied Social Security disability insurance or the benefits to their employers’ long-term disability plans, the changes to...

How Social Security evaluates visual disorders

Suffering from a job-related injury can be frustrating. It can be difficult navigating the process of claiming benefits. For many, Social Security disability insurance is an option. But there are many requirements and regulations that dictate eligibility. Social Security defines visual disorders as abnormalities in the eye, brain, or optic...