Phone:
850-438-4899
Fax:
850-438-4044
Email:
info@twwlawfirm.com
Location:
1823 North 9th Avenue
Pensacola, FL 32503
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Disability Center

Disability Law and Social Security Disability

Frequently Asked Disability Questions:

Q     How do I qualify for disability benefits?

A     You may qualify for benefits if you are unable to work full time because of a physical or mental condition which will last, or is expected to last, for several months.

Q     What if I have other income?

A     For recepients of Social Security Disability (”SSDI”), there is no limit to the amount of other income you can receive, so long as it is not from work activity.  However, if you are a recipient of Supplemental Security Income (”SSI”) or private disability insurance benefits, there may be an offset.

Q     Is there an age requirement for disability?

A     No.  Any individual of any age can be found to be disabled.  However, the older an individual is, the easier it is for that individual to obtain benefits.

Q     How long will I receive disability benefits?

A     Until you reach full retirement age or until your condition improves to the point where you are able to work on a full-time sustained basis. (more…)

Local Options for Free or Reduced Healthcare

Tuesday, April 13th, 2010

There are a variety of medical facilities in our local area for those who need financial assistance with healthcare costs.  Many of these organizations are funded by donations, grants, and staffed by volunteer doctors and nurses.  Pensacola has three such clinics:  Escambia Community Clinic, St. Joseph’s Clinic, and the Health and Hope Clinic.
1.    The Escambia Community Clinic is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).  FQHCs  are community-based organizations that provide primary care and preventative care including health and mental health/ substance abuse services to persons of all ages, regardless of their ability to pay.  The Escambia Community Clinic has a sliding fee scale and payments can be as low as $5 a visit.  For more information visit www.ecc-clinic.org
2.    St. Joseph’s Medical Screening Clinic is located in downtown Pensacola.  It is staffed by volunteer physicians and nurses .  Social workers are at the clinic on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning at 9 am.  Call 850-434-8162 for additional information.
3.    The Health and Hope Clinic is a donor and volunteer-driven  service of the Pensacola Bay Baptist Association.  To make an appointment or to find out about patient eligibility, please call 850-479-4456 or visit http://www.pbbassociation.com Continue Reading

Job Losses Send Disability Claims Soaring

Monday, December 21st, 2009

According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), new claims for disability benefits rose nearly 17 percent nationwide in 2009 and disability filings are projected to rise another 10 percent in 2010, to 3.3 million claims.  Michael Astrue , commissioner of SSA, acknowledges that “the biggest problems are states that have a combination of two things:  One the economy is very bad; and two, the state has embraced furloughs.”  Astrue further cited California, Wisconsin, and Ohio as three of the states where the SSA is struggling to keep up.  A good amount of the new disability claims are filed by workers whose employers are no longer able to make accommodations for disabling conditions.  Because these long standing employees often need physical assistance to perform their jobs, or require excessive absences due to health conditions, employers are choosing to retain employees who can offer more productivity and reduce the bottom line.  How SSA will consider claimants who until recently were able to work despite their impairing conditions, remains to be seen.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34381782/ns/us_news-the_elkhart_project/sp-tx

Disability Group Wins Landmark Case

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009

The National Campaign to Restore Civil Rights reports that on September 8, 2009, a Federal District Court Judge ruled that New York was violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in not providing services to those with mental illnesses in the most integrated settings possible.  The DAI v. Paterson lawsuit, filed by the Disability Advocates, Inc. sought alternative home residences for those with mental disabilities who were being warehoused in  private “adult homes” that lacked inadequate support and rehabilitative services.

http://www.rollbackcampaign.org/press-center/article.271168-Disability_Groups_Win_Landmark_Case_Affirming_Rights_of_People_with_Mental

TWW Obtains SS Benefits for Iraqi War Veteran

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

Blythe Glemming represented a 27 year old Iraqi war veteran in his claim for disability benefits before the Social Security Administration (SSA).  Our client suffered injuries to both of his knees during his military service overseas when the Hummer he was traveling in flipped over.  He was discharged with 10% disability from the VA, roughly $100 per month, and supported himself with nominal funds from his GI bill.  After having surgery on one knee, and waiting for surgery on the other, it was discovered that he had a kidney condition called polycystic kidney disease.  Because this condition is hereditary, he could not receive any additional VA benefits for treatment.  Not only does this disease ultimately require regular dialysis, the only known “cure” is a kidney transplant.  Continue Reading

Social Security Reports Decreased Backlog

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, announced September 30, 2009 that for the first time since 1999, the agency has ended the 2009 fiscal year with fewer disability hearings pending than in the prior year.  As proof, Commissioner Astrue cites that in October 2008, Social Security had 760,813 hearings pending which was reduced to 722,822 by the end of September 2009.  This represents a 5% decrease in the backlog of claimants waiting to plead their case to an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).  The news release goes further to state that the “average” processing time for these cases improved from 514 days to 491 days.  In effect, claimants waited an “average” of 23 days less for a hearing.  While we applaud the improvements made by Commissioner Astrue, namely the addition of more employees with funding provided by President Obama; overall, the numbers are not that impressive.  Continue Reading

October 4-10, 2009 Mental Illness Awareness Week

Monday, October 5th, 2009

In 1990, the U.S. Congress established the first week of October as “Mental Illness Awareness Week”  in efforts to raise mental illness awareness.  At Taylor, Warren & Weidner PA, we are advocates for people seeking insurance and Social Security benefits for disabling mental illnesses.  For more information about treatment options and to find local support groups, please visit the following:

http://www.healthyminds.org/

http://www.nami.org/