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Can I Receive Social Security Disability If I Am Already Getting Hospice Care In Texas?

Yes, if you have worked long enough to qualify for Social Security disability benefits and you are currently receiving inpatient or at-home hospice care, you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits.

It’s Not Too Late

Since you are receiving hospice care, you are receiving palliative care for your pain management and comfort, but you are no longer receiving treatment for your terminal illness. Additionally, hospice has determined that your condition is likely to result in death within the next six months. Thus, you may not only qualify for Social Security disability benefits, but you may also qualify for a quick review of your application pursuant to the Social Security Administration’s Terminal Illness Program (TERI).

Why Social Security Disability Is Still Important

You likely are too ill to work and to earn an income while you are receiving hospice care. However, your daily living expenses may have increased as you need more care due to your illness. Social Security disability can help you by replacing a portion of your income during this difficult time and reducing your need to rely on others.

How to Get the Help You Need

Dealing with bureaucratic paperwork is probably very low on the list of things you want to deal with right now. However, applying for this government benefit—which you’ve earned through your years of paying into the Social Security system—does not have to be a burden. Instead, you have the right to have an experienced Texas Social Security disability lawyer help you get the benefits for which you qualify. To learn more, please call us today.

I Have Sciatica. Can I Get Social Security Disability?

In most cases, people with sciatica do not qualify for Social Security disability unless they also have another health condition.

Why Not?

Pain from sciatica—or a problem with the sciatic nerve—can be debilitating. It can leave you unable to work and unable to go about your regular activities. For a period of time, and again at recurring times, you may even be disabled.

However, with treatments such as medications, physical therapy, and surgery, most cases of sciatica are resolved. Thus, the disability caused by sciatica is not permanent nor is it fatal. A permanent disability, or a disability that is likely to result in death, is part of the Social Security disability eligibility requirement. Therefore, most people with this painful condition will not qualify for Social Security disability even if they are unable to work for a period of weeks or months.

There Are Some Exceptions

While sciatica is treatable for many people, there are some people who do not recover from sciatica pain. Instead, they suffer permanent problems such as loss of movement or incontinence because of nerve damage. For those who are unable to work because of a permanent disability, Social Security disability may be a viable option.

If you believe that you should qualify for Social Security disability based on your sciatica pain or a related complication, it is important to talk to an experienced Social Security disability lawyer before making a claim. Your lawyer can review your rights with you and make sure that your application is as strong and accurate as possible so that you can get the benefits you deserve. To learn more, please start a free live chat with us now.

What Does The Social Security Administration Mean By Activities Of Daily Living?

As the term implies, “activities of daily living” are the things that you do every day. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is interested in everything you do in a typical day, everything you did in a typical day before getting hurt or sick, and everything you can no longer do because of your injury or illness.

Specific Activities of Daily Living the SSA Wants to Know About

The definition of activities of daily living described above is general. More specifically, the SSA is interested in whether you can do the following things independently:

  • Take care of your personal hygiene. This includes things like showering and getting dressed.
  • Shop. This includes things such as shopping for food, medicine, and clothes independently.
  • Play. Your recreational activities are relevant to how well you function in your daily life.

You will be asked to complete an activities of daily living form with specific questions that will help the SSA understand how your injury or illness impacts your daily life. It may seem like this is an easy form to fill out, but it is important that you fill out the form completely. Typically, every pain, every bit of inconvenience, and every hardship should be noted for each activity.

You do not have to fill out this form on your own. Instead, you have the right to work with an experienced Social Security disability attorney to make sure you fill it out correctly and so that you understand the impact of your answers on your Social Security disability claim. To learn more, please fill out our online contact form today and one of our Texas Social Security disability lawyers will contact you directly.

I’m A Licensed Clinical Social Worker And I Know My Client Is Disabled. Does That Guarantee That He Will Receive Social Security Disability If He Fills Out An Application?

No. Social Security disability is a legal determination, not a medical or psychological determination. Thus, while you play an important role in helping your client who is disabled, your determination alone will not guarantee that your client is eligible for Social Security disability benefits.

Why Not?

You may be able to determine that your client is unable to work because of a mental condition. However, in order to qualify for Social Security disability, the office of Disability Determination Services (DDS) is going to have to find that your client:

  • Worked and paid into the Social Security system for the amount of time required in order to be eligible for benefits.
  • Will be disabled for at least 12 months or has a condition that is likely to result in death.
  • Is unable to work in any kind of job.

DDS will consider your client’s medical records, including any records that you have, and other things such as your client’s past work experience, age, and education.

You Still Play an Important Role in the Social Security Disability Application Process

It can be frustrating to know that your client is permanently disabled and still has to go through the Social Security disability application process. However, it is inevitable and there are things you can do to make the process easier for your client. Specifically, you can encourage your client to work with an experienced Texas Social Security disability lawyer, you can provide requested documentation, and you can provide important support for your client during this difficult time.

My Friend Recently Became Disabled And She Doesn’t Speak English. Who Is Required To Provide An Interpreter For Her During The Social Security Disability Application Process?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a clear policy on this. It is the responsibility of Disability Determination Services (DDS) to provide a free and qualified interpreter for your friend.

Not Just Anyone Can Be an Intepreter

The SSA defines a qualified interpreter as someone who:

  • Speaks, reads, and writes English and the language of the applicant proficiently.
  • Provides accurate interpretation for the applicant and DDS staff. No questions should be initiated by the interpreter and the interpreter should not infer facts or questions that are not presented by DDS staff or the applicant.
  • Is familiar with terminology used in the disability determination process. This includes medical terminology, as relevant.
  • Is willing to comply with the SSA’s disclosure and confidentiality requirements.
  • Does not have a personal stake in the outcome of the case that would cause a conflict of interest.

An applicant may choose to provide his own interpreter so long as the above requirements are met.

Language Should Not Be a Barrier to Social Security Disability Benefits

Either DDS staff or the applicant may request an interpreter. The SSA recognizes that interpreters are important to both the SSA and the applicant in the Social Security disability process so that an accurate and fair determination can be made. Thus, an applicant should not hesitate to seek an interpreter when necessary and should not fail to file an application if he doesn’t have an interpreter identified.

If your friend speaks Spanish, please invite him to read the Spanish version of our website. Otherwise, please inform your friend of his rights, encourage him to request an interpreter, and invite him to contact us for further information.

I Was Seriously Hurt In A Criminal Attack. Can I Recover Social Security Disability?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) doesn’t care how you got hurt—as long as you were not the one committing the crime. You may not qualify for Social Security disability if you were hurt while committing a crime, but you may be able to qualify if you were hurt while someone else was committing crime.

Some Attack Injuries Create Lifelong Disabilities

In order to qualify for Social Security disability, you are going to have to prove that your disability is permanent and that you can’t work because of it. These kind of injuries may occur in a criminal attack if you are left with a:

  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Amputation injury
  • Other serious, disabling injury

If you are unable to work or if your condition is likely to result in death, if you have paid enough into the Social Security system, and if you are not yet of retirement age, the SSA may find you eligible for Social Security disability even if a criminal caused your injury.

Social Security disability benefits may help you make ends meet if you cannot work and may be received even if the state of Texas pursues a criminal case against the person who left you hurt or you pursue a civil case for personal injury damages.

To learn more about Social Security disability benefits and how they may help you after you become disabled in a criminal attack, please read our FREE book, Social Security Disability What You Need to Know, and please start a live chat with us today.

What Is A Professional Relations Officer?

Professional relations officers are part of the Social Security disability program. In Texas, professional relations officers are available through the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services Disability Determination Services (DDS) in Austin.

What Professional Relations Officers Do

It is the job of a Social Security disability professional relations officer to:

  • Provide informational presentations to doctors and medical professionals in the community. These presentations include facts about the medical information the Social Security Administration (SSA) needs, when the SSA needs it, and why accurate and complete information is important. The presentations also include information about how reports from doctors and other health professionals are used by the SSA in determining Social Security disability eligibility.
  • Recruit and train doctors, psychologists, and other healthcare professionals to become consultative exam providers. They can also answer individual questions about performing consultative exams or conducting disability reviews for DDS.
  • Help medical providers use Social Security’s Electronic Records Express for sending records related to disability claims.

Thus, it is the responsibility of the professional relations officers to support the medical community and not necessarily an individual Social Security disability applicant.

How to Contact One in Texas

You can contact the Texas DDS directly at 800-252-9627 if you would like to get in touch with a professional relations officer.

If you think an individual Social Security disability applicant or recipient needs help, however, a professional relations officer may not be the right call for you to make. Instead, that individual may benefit from the assistance of an experienced Texas Social Security disability attorney. Please share our website with that individual or encourage that person to contact us directly at (214) 373-3761 for more information.

Can I Apply For Social Security Disability While I’m Still In A Rehab Facility?

Yes, you can apply for social security disability while you’re in a rehab facility. The Social Security Administration (SSA) does not have any restriction on where you are living at the time you file for Social Security disability benefits, and you may file for Social Security disability while you are in a rehabilitation facility.

That said, your concern is likely that you are in a rehabilitation facility in order to make continued medical improvements. It is important that you continue your treatment and improve to the maximum extent possible. If, according to your doctors, you are likely to recover enough that you can go back to work and your daily activities, you may not be eligible for Social Security disability and an application may not be worth your time.

However, Rehab Won’t Always Allow You to Fully Recover

Instead, while you may be making some progress in rehabilitation therapy, if your prognosis remains the same, you may be considered permanently disabled. The following conditions may qualify you for benefits:

  • Your condition is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
  • Your condition prevents you from working or engaging in substantial gainful activity.
  • You have paid enough into the Social Security system to qualify for Social Security disability benefits.

If you believe that you will continue to be eligible for Social Security disability after your rehabilitation therapy is completed, you can apply for benefits at any time—even while you are still in rehab.

For more information about the Social Security disability application process and for help getting started with your own application, please start a live chat with us today.

What Should I Do If My Doctor Says I’m Not Disabled?

It can be frustrating to hear your doctor tell you that you are not disabled when you are physically unable to go to work. The Social Security Administration (SSA) looks closely at doctors’ determinations when it considers an applicant’s eligibility. Thus, you are right to be concerned about your doctor’s disability determination.

There Are Steps You Can Take to Protect Your Rights

In order to qualify for Social Security disability benefits, you will need to prove that you are permanently disabled. If your doctor tells you that you are not permanently disabled and you disagree with your doctor’s opinion, then it is important to:

  • Ask your doctor to provide more specific information. It isn’t just your doctor’s conclusion that matters, but also the specific information documented in your medical record. Accordingly, it is important that all of your symptoms, the impact of those symptoms on your daily life, the treatments you have tried, and your prognosis are included in your medical chart.
  • Get a second opinion. You have the right to talk to another doctor about your condition and to ask that doctor to also document your symptoms, the impact of those symptoms on your life and ability to work, and your prognosis. In some cases a second opinion may come from the same kind of doctor you had been seeing and in other cases you may choose to see a specialist.

Additionally, it is important to talk to an experienced Social Security disability lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your potential eligibility and to begin the Social Security disability application process, if appropriate. For more information, please start a live chat with us today.

What Is A Transferable Skill And Why Is It Important?

In order to be considered disabled, a Social Security disability applicant must be unable to engage in any substantial activity because of a physical or mental condition that is expected to last for at least 12 months or result in death. According to this definition of disability, it is not enough that you cannot do your current job. You must be unable to work in any job and meet the other requirements to receive Social Security disability.

The Social Security Administration Will Want to Know About Your Skills

In order to determine if you can do another job, the Social Security Administration (SSA) is going to examine your work skills. The agency may want to know if you have other skills that could transfer to other jobs. When considering the transferability of your skills, the SSA can only:

  • Consider your skills from past relevant work that is semi-skilled or skilled.
  • Transfer the skills to other semi-skilled or skilled work—not unskilled work.
  • Determine the transferability of skills after taking the specific steps described in the agency’s transferability of skills analysis.

transferability of skills analysis is one of the last steps in a Social Security disability determination, and it need not be completed for every Social Security disability applicant. Instead, the analysis only has to be done if it could make a difference in the outcome for an individual applicant. Transferable skills should be a vocational advantage when looking for a new job.

It is important that you understand transferability of skills and other factors related to your Social Security disability application before you apply for benefits. To learn more, please start a live chat with us today.

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