Virginia Disability Law Blog

Social Security and Department of Defense Implement New Process to Improve Efficiency for Wounded Warriors Applying for Disability Benefits

Sheri Abrams — Mon, 07 May 2012 02:14:13 +0000

Electronic Medical Records Will Reduce Time for a Decision

The Social Security Administration and the Department of Defense (DoD) are working together to improve access to disability benefits for the nation’s Wounded Warriors, service members, veterans, and their dependents. A new nationwide project enables Social Security disability case processing sites to receive military medical records from multiple DoD facilities with a single request to a centralized DoD site. As of April 30, 2012, this initiative is in its first phase of nationwide expansion.

“Receiving electronic medical records for our Wounded Warriors and other military personnel will significantly shorten the time it takes to make a disability decision,” said Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security. “This new process will improve the speed, accuracy, and efficiency of the disability program.”

Originally a pilot, the program included five states (Colorado, North Carolina, Oregon, Virginia, and Washington) and more than 60 military treatment facilities. These states are now receiving electronic medical records within 72 hours, a remarkable improvement over the previous average response time of five weeks for paper records from individual military treatment facilities.

The new DoD-Social Security collaboration consolidates requests for medical records from Social Security to a single location that has access to DoD records in a central electronic repository.

The benefits of the new process include:

• faster delivery of DoD medical records to Social Security,
• a more efficient system to obtain records,
• a reduction in the time it takes to make a medical decision on a disability claim, and
• a reduction in the number of consultative examinations (medical exams requested by Social Security when additional tests or medical records are needed.)

This is the first step towards the long-term goal of a fully automated solution of improving medical information sharing using health information technology and the Nationwide Health Information Network Exchange.

More information on Social Security’s use of health IT is available at www.socialsecurity.gov/hit.

Social Security Statement Now Available Online at www.socialsecurity.gov

Sheri Abrams — Thu, 03 May 2012 02:34:34 +0000

Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, has just announced an online version of the Social Security Statement is now available at www.socialsecurity.gov. The new online Statement provides eligible workers with secure and convenient access to their Social Security earnings and benefit information.

“Our new online Social Security Statement is simple, easy-to-use and provides people with estimates they can use to plan for their retirement,” Commissioner Astrue said. “The online Statement also provides estimates for disability and survivors benefits, making the Statement an important financial planning tool. People should get in the habit of checking their online Statement each year, around their birthday, for example.”

In addition to helping with financial planning, the online Statement also provides workers a convenient way to determine whether their earnings are accurately posted to their Social Security records. This feature is important because Social Security benefits are based on average earnings over a person’s lifetime. If the earnings information is not accurate, the person may not receive all the benefits to which he or she is entitled. The online Statement also provides the opportunity to save or print the personalized Statement for financial planning discussions with family or a financial planner.

To get a personalized online Statement, people age 18 and older must be able to provide information about themselves that matches information already on file with Social Security. In addition, Social Security uses Experian, an external authentication service provider, for additional verification. People must provide their identifying information and answer security questions in order to pass this verification. Social Security will not share a person’s Social Security number with Experian, but the identity check is an important part of this new, verification process.

Once verified, people will create a “My Social Security” account with a unique user name and password to access their online Statement. In addition, the portal also includes links to information about other online services, such as applications for retirement, disability and Medicare.

It is important to note, however, Social Security anticipates some members of the public will not be able to be verified through this process. Some people may not correctly answer the security questions based on information on file with Experian, and others may supply identifying information that does not match their Social Security records. In instances where this occurs, people will have the option to request a paper Social Security Statement be mailed to them. People who cannot verify online initially also may visit their local Social Security office and present an identity document in order to create an account and gain access to the online version of the Statement.

In February 2012, Social Security resumed mailing paper Statements to workers age 60 and older if they are not already receiving Social Security benefits. Later this year, the agency plans to mail paper Statements to workers in the year they reach age 25.

For more information about the new online Statement, please go to www.socialsecurity.gov/mystatement.

Social Security Board of Trustees: Projected Trust Fund Exhaustion Three Years Sooner Than Last Year

Sheri Abrams — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:42:19 +0000

The Social Security Board of Trustees released its annual report on the financial health of the Social Security Trust Funds. In its report the Trustees reported that he combined assets of the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) Trust Funds will be exhausted in 2033, three years sooner than projected last year. At that time, there will be sufficient non-interest income coming in to pay about 75 percent of scheduled benefits.

The entire 2012 Trustees Report is posted at www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/TR/2012/

Posted by Sheri R. Abrams, Attorney at Law, Partner Needham, Mitnick & Pollack, plc, www.nmpattorneys.com, www.sheriabrams.com

Social Security Administration Adopts Electronic Signatures for Medical Release Forms

Sheri Abrams — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:54:29 +0000

Applying for Social Security disability benefits just became a little easier.

When a person applies for Social Security disability benefits, the agency conducts a disability review to determine if the applicant is actually “disabled” as defined by federal law. As part of this review, the Social Security Administration (SSA) contacts the applicant’s doctors and other medical providers to discuss the applicant’s medical history and to obtain important medical records that can be used throughout the disability determination process.

Since doctors and hospitals are not allowed to disclose a patient’s medical information to anyone, even the government, without the patient’s permission, the SSA requires all disability applicants to fill out a medical release form, commonly known as an SSA-827, which authorizes the SSA to obtain the required medical information from a medical provider and releases the provider from liability related to the release. Up till now, the SSA has required applicants to print out the form and either mail it into the SSA or bring it into a local office.

Because this procedure often delays the disability application process (the SSA cannot process the application without the signed release in hand), the government has decided to allow applicants for disability benefits to electronically sign the SSA-827 online as an alternative to filing a paper copy. Starting in April, adults with disabilities who are capable of signing their own medical release forms will be able to simply click and sign the SSA-827 as part of the application process. The SSA hopes to expand the electronic signature program to other categories of applicants, like children and people who are operating under a Durable Power of Attorney, in the future. According to the SSA, the new electronic signature option will reduce application processing time by an average of nine days.

To read about the changes on the SSA’s Web site visit www.ssa.gov.

Blog post by Sheri R. Abrams, Attorney at Law
Needham Mitnick & Pollack, plc
www.nmpattorneys.com
www.sheriabrams.com

Social Security Announces New Conditions for Compassionate Allowances Program

Sheri Abrams — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 02:58:38 +0000

Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, today announced 52 new Compassionate Allowances conditions, primarily involving neurological disorders, cancers and rare diseases. The Compassionate Allowances program fast-tracks disability decisions to ensure that Americans with the most serious disabilities receive their benefit decisions within days instead of months or years. Commissioner Astrue made the announcement during his remarks at the World Orphan Drug Congress near Washington, D.C.

“Social Security will continue to work with the medical community and patient organizations to add more conditions,” Commissioner Astrue said. “With our Compassionate Allowances program, we quickly approved disability benefits for nearly 61,000 people with severe disabilities in the past fiscal year, and nearly 173,000 applications since the program began.”

Social Security launched the Compassionate Allowances program in 2008 with a list of 50 diseases and conditions. The announcement of 52 new conditions, effective in August, will increase the total number of Compassionate Allowances conditions to 165. The conditions include certain cancers, adult brain disorders, a number of rare genetic disorders of children, early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, immune system conditions, and other disorders. In his speech that opened the Congress, Commissioner Astrue thanked the National Institutes of Health for research they conducted which helped identify many of the conditions added to the list.

New Compassionate Allowances Conditions:

Aicardi-Goutieres Syndrome

Alobar Holoprosencephaly

Alpers Disease

Alpha Mannosidosis

Carcinoma of Unknown Primary Site

Cerebrotendinous Xanthomatosis

Child Neuroblastoma

Child Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Chondrosarcoma with multimodal therapy

Cornelia de Lange Syndrome-Classic Form

Ewings Sarcoma

Follicular Dendritic Cell Sarcoma with metastases

Fucosidosis – Type 1

Galactosialidosis – Early Infantile Type

Glioma Grade III and IV

Hallervorden-Spatz Disease

Hepatoblastoma

Histiocytosis

Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome

Hydranencephaly

Hypocomplementemic Urticarial Vasculitis

Hypophosphatasia Perinatal lethal Form

I Cell disease

Infantile Free Sialic Acid Storage Disease

Juvenile Onset Huntington Disease

Kufs Disease Type A and B

Lissencephaly

Lymphomatoid Granulomatosis Grade III

Malignant Brain Stem Gliomas–Childhood

Malignant Melanoma with metastases

Mastocytosis Type IV

Medulloblastoma with metastasis

Merkel Cell Carcinoma with metastases

Myocolonic Epilepsy

Ragged Red Fibers Syndrome

Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis

Obliterative Bronchiolitis

Ohtahara Syndrome

Orthochromatic Leukodystrophy with Pigmented Glia

Pearson Syndrome

Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease Classic Form

Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease Connatal Form

Peripheral Nerve Cancer metastatic or recurrent

Perry Syndrome

Rhabdomyosarcoma

Rhizomelic Chondrodysplasia Punctata

Schindler Disease Type 1

Smith Lemli Opitz Syndrome

Spinal Nerve Root Cancer- metastatic or recurrent

Stiff Person Syndrome

Tabes Dorsalis

Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome

Xeroderma Pigmentosum

For more information on the Compassionate Allowances

please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances.

Free Travel Training for People with Disabilities

Sheri Abrams — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 21:15:05 +0000

The wonderful people at the ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia, Inc. (ECNV) have a Travel Training program for people with disabilities who want to learn to travel safely and independently using public transportation in the Washington Metropolitan area.

Through the multi-day program that is comprehensive and individualized, the individual will learn a variety of travel skills that will facilitate them to ride their local transportation independently. The travel trainers will work with the individual to learn transit routes to anywhere they want to go.

Call the ECNV Travel Trainers at 703-525-3268 to start the process.

The ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia, Inc. (ECNV) is a community- based resource and advocacy center managed by and for people with disabilities. ECNV promotes the independent living philosophy and equal access for all people with disabilities. ECNV’s website is http://www.ecnv.org/.

The Top 5 Things That The Disabled Need To Know About The Affordable Care Act

Sheri Abrams — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 20:20:51 +0000

HealthCare.gov recently released a new fact sheet, available in PDF format in both English and Spanish, about the impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on people with disabilities.

The fact sheet outlines key aspects of the ACA, including:

1.Insurers cannot deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions.
2.Insurers cannot deny, cap or limit your coverage.
3.Insurance coverage options are expanded.
4.There are new options for long-term supports and services.
5.Insurance companies are held accountable.

Learn more about the ACA and how it affects you at www.healthcare.gov.

Social Security Will Now Require All Representatives To File Appeals Electronically

Sheri Abrams — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 02:35:06 +0000

As of March 16, 2012, the Social Security Administration will now require representatives to file Appeals electronically.

Now when filing either a Request for Reconsideration or for a Hearing Before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), representatives and Attorneys must do so electonically.

SSA will provide a webcast informing representatives and attorneys of this Appeal change on March 7, 2012.

Tax Relief for Disabled and Older Fairfax Virginia Residents

Sheri Abrams — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:46:09 +0000

If you are disabled or over 65 you may qualify for Fairfax County real estate and car tax relief. Residents must file an application for relief between January 1 and April 1, 2012 if they have filed before. New applicants have until December 31, 2012 to file.

WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR REAL ESTATE TAX RELIEF?

•To qualify for a Real Estate tax exemption under the Tax Relief Program, the following requirements must be met:

•The applicant must be at least 65 years of age, or permanently and totally disabled. Applicants who turn 65 or become permanently and totally disabled during the year of application may also qualify for tax relief on a prorated basis.

•If the dwelling is jointly owned by an applicant and spouse, either the applicant or the spouse must be at least 65 years of age or older, or permanently and totally disabled.

•The gross income from all sources of the owners of the dwelling and any relatives of the owners who reside in the dwelling may not exceed $72,000. The following income limitations and percentage of relief apply:

Gross Income——————————————–Amount of Tax Relief

$52,000 or less ———————————————-100%

$52,001 to $62,000——————————————– 50%

$62,001 to $72,000———————————————25%

•For each relative (other than spouse) residing in the dwelling, the first $6,500 of income may be excluded. Disabled applicants may exclude the first $7,500 of income.

•The total combined net assets of owners of the dwelling and of the spouse of any owner who resides in the dwelling may not be greater than $340,000 (not including the value of the home, its furnishings and up to one acre of land).

•When the property is jointly owned and the co-owner is deceased, a certified copy of the death certificate must be provided.

WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR CAR TAX OR
PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX RELIEF

•To qualify for a Personal Property tax exemption under the Tax Relief Program, the following requirements must be met:

•The applicant must be a resident of Fairfax County.

•The exempted vehicle must be owned and used primarily by or for an applicant who is at least 65 years of age or an applicant found to be permanently and totally disabled.

•The gross income of the applicant may not exceed $22,000.

•Disabled applicants may exclude the first $7,500 of income, i.e., an effective gross income of $29,500.

•The total combined net assets of the applicant and spouse may not exceed $75,000.

•Personal Property tax relief shall only be granted on one vehicle.

•Personal Property tax relief on mobile homes applies only to those homes used as a full time residence.

For more information contact the Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration at

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dta/taxrelief_home.htm.

USA Today Editorial: Opposing view: Disability Benefits Remains a Vital Lifeline

Sheri Abrams — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:35:04 +0000

USA Today Editorial: Opposing view: Disability Benefits Remains a Vital Lifeline by Charles Martin

Social Security Disability Insurance remains a vital lifeline for citizens who once held full-time jobs but have become too ill or injured to work. It is a time-honored expression of our nation’s commitment to help care for those who must stop working due to illness or injury.

While any large government program will have problems — and Social Security is no exception — we should work on fixing the problems and not join the current rush to condemn an entire system because of rare instances of abuse or mounting political pressures to cut federal spending.

As an attorney who has spent more than 34 years helping thousands of Social Security applicants, let me be clear that getting disability approval is harder than ever. Undocumented pain, alcoholism and drug abuse have been disqualified. Mental retardation and HIV standards are tougher. Diabetes and obesity are no longer distinct disabilities. Illegal immigrants are now disqualified. Applicants must now present objective medical evidence of disability. This is no rubber-stamp process.

Moreover, it is a misrepresentation to claim that there is a surge in unemployed applicants looking to get on the public dole. Applications have increased due to social, medical and economic mega-trends (such as more insured women and aged workers).

Yes, today’s Social Security Disability Insurance system is huge, complex, costly and certainly imperfect. But it deserves to be improved, not scorned. Claimants’ representatives play an important role by discouraging frivolous applications and assisting those who can prove disability navigate a daunting and often confusing bureaucracy.

The road to restoring Social Security to full health is not to conduct a witch hunt for the rare but inevitable undeserving claimants or deficient judges, but through sensible measures such as giving more help to people with disabilities who want to work, giving employers incentives to hire them, and upgrading the gathering and delivery of medical treatment and information.

Tough times can bring out the best in people. Let’s not let our frustration over a lousy economy cause us to turn on those who are most in need. Let’s improve a system that reflects the true spirit of American compassion.

Charles Martin, a Decatur, Ga.-based attorney, is president of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives.

Needham Mitnick & Pollack Attorney, Sheri R. Abrams, Named Partner

Sheri Abrams — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:26:09 +0000

The Falls Church Virginia Law Firm of Needham Mitnick & Pollack is proud to announce that Attorney Sheri R. Abrams has been named a partner in the firm.

Ms. Abrams joined Needham Mitnick & Pollack in January 2010 as “of Counsel” after practicing law as a solo practitioner for 16 years. Ms. Abrams’ practice focuses on Social Security Disability Law and she has spoken on this topic to many organizations including the Virginia State Bar.

Ms. Abrams’ book, “Don’t Gamble with Your Social Security Disability Benefits,” was published in 2010.

Ms. Abrams is rated AV, the highest rating possible by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, and was named one of Virginia’s Legal Elite.

Ms. Abrams is active in many different organizations including the National Organization of Social Security Claimant’s Representatives (NOSSCR), where she represents the 4th and DC Circuits on the Board of Directors.

Ms. Abrams graduated Cum Laude from Boston University’s School of Management with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration (1989) and earned her law degree from the George Washington University Law School (1994).

Needham Mitnick & Pollack is a well established Elder Law, Estate, Disability & Special Needs Planning firm that assists clients with Wills, Trusts, Probate, Social Security Disability benefits, Trust Administration, Powers of Attorney, Advance Medical Directives, Guardianships, Long Term Care Planning, Disability Planning, Medicaid Eligibility, Veterans Benefits and Special Needs Trusts.

Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans & Canines for Combat Veterans, Deserve Our Support

Sheri Abrams — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 00:21:14 +0000

For almost 35 years, NEADS/Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans has set industry standards for assistance dogs. They have made a commitment to their clients to train the best dogs and provide the most comprehensive services possible. By combining innovation, experience and a whole lot of heart, they are a leader in the industry.

NEADS has trained over 1,300 assistance dog teams since the organization’s inception in 1976.

NEADS trains a larger variety of assistance dogs than any other program in the US.

NEADS trains assistance dogs for people who are deaf or have hearing loss; people with balance and stability issues; people with a variety of physical disabilities; wounded combat veterans; teachers, ministers and therapists; children on the autism spectrum; and children with physical disabilities.

Inmates at more than a dozen New England prisons help by training 90-95% of their assistance dogs.

NEADS established the first partnership with a prison solely dedicated to the training of assistance dogs for people who are deaf or have hearing loss (2010).

NEADS was the first assistance dog organization to develop a program specifically geared to Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans, Canines for Combat Veterans (2006).

NEADS was the first assistance dog organization invited to Walter Reed Hospital to give an in-service about how assistance dogs can help wounded veterans (2005).

Needham Mitnick & Pollack to Sponsor ReelAbilities: Disabilities Film Festival

Sheri Abrams — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 04:06:21 +0000

Needham Mitnick & Pollack is proud to announce their sponsorship, through the JCC of Northern Virginia, of the DC ReelAbilities: Disabilities Film Festival.

ReelAbilities is a film festival that unites multiple partners and screening locations throughout the DC area in an effort to promote awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories and artistic expressions of people with disabilities, all through the easily accessible art form of film.

Film screening venues for ReelAbilities will include the JCC of Greater Washington, Washington DC JCC, JCC of Northern Virginia, Avalon Theatre, The Artisphere, and Rave Motion Pictures.

Here is a listing of the movies that will be shown:

WARRIOR CHAMPIONS – physical disabilities, war veterans

BEN X – Autism, technology, coming of age w/ disability, family relationships

HENRY O! – Blindness, baseball

SHOOTING BEAUTY – multiple disabilities in adults and art

CROOKED BEAUTY – manic depression and art

PRAYING WITH LIOR – Down syndrome, spirituality, Judaism, family relationship

SHAMELESS – multiple disabilities including mental illness and art

AMONG THE GIANTS – adaptive design

ZIG ZAG LOVE – Cerebral Palsy, teen love, coming of age w/ disability, family relationships

WAR EAGLE – Cerebral Palsy, speech impediments, friendship

For more information please see: http://greaterdc.reelabilities.org/

Social Security Webinar on “Ticket to Work,” December 21, 2011 at 3:00PM

Sheri Abrams — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 21:18:42 +0000

National Work Incentives Seminar Event (WISE) Webinar Ticket to Work: Support Services for People Who Have a Disability and Are Ready to Work Wednesday, December 21, 2011, 3:00 PM, EST

If you are a Social Security disability beneficiary and want to make more money through work, Ticket to Work can provide the support you need to transition to greater financial independence and self-sufficiency. The December 21 national WISE webinar will present information about special Social Security programs and rules that may apply to you! You will hear from Work Incentives Planning & Assistance (WIPA) projects, Employment Networks, State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Agencies, and Protection & Advocacy organizations about: • Ticket to Work & Work Incentives • Frequently asked questions • Where to find more information

Date: December 21, 2011 Time: 3:00 p.m. EST Register online at www.chooseworkttw.net/wise/jsp/wise.jsp or call 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY/TDD)

Approximately 2 days before the event, you will receive an email with instructions on how to log in to the webinar. The instructions will also include a link and access code for closed-captioning and a link to download the presentation materials in fully accessible PDF and text-only versions. Please be sure to check your spam folder. Registration information will also be available online the day of the webinar.

Presidential Proclamation — International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Sheri Abrams — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 03:16:15 +0000

Presidential Proclamation — International Day of Persons with Disabilities

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release December 02, 2011

Presidential Proclamation — International Day of Persons with Disabilities
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

On International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we recommit to ensuring people living with disabilities enjoy full equality and unhindered participation in all facets of our national life. We recognize the myriad contributions that persons with disabilities make at home and abroad, and we remember that disability rights are universal rights to be recognized and promoted around the world.

For decades, America has been a global leader in advancing the rights of people with disabilities. From the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act, which I signed last year, we have striven to bring the American dream and comprehensive opportunities in education, health care, and employment within reach for every individual. These actions –made possible only through the tireless and ongoing efforts of the disability community — affirm our commitment to an equitable and just society where every American can play a part in securing a prosperous future for our Nation.

To fulfill this promise not only in America, but around the world, my Administration is putting disability rights at the heart of our Nation’s foreign policy. With leadership from the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development, we are collaborating across governments and in close consultation with the global disability community to expand access to education, health care, HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, and other development programs. In 2009, we signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which seeks to ensure persons with disabilities enjoy the same rights and opportunities as all people. If ratified, the Convention would provide a platform to encourage other countries to join and implement the Convention, laying a foundation for enhanced benefits and greater protections for the millions of Americans with disabilities who spend time abroad.

We know from the historic struggle for disability rights in the United States that disability inclusion is an ongoing effort, and many challenges remain in securing fundamental human rights for all persons with disabilities around the world. On International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we press forward, renewing our dedication to embrace diversity, end discrimination, remove barriers, and uphold the rights, dignity, and equal opportunity of all people.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim December 3, 2011, as International Day of Persons with Disabilities. I call on all Americans to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this second day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.

BARACK OBAMA

Social Security Launches New Online Services In Spanish

Sheri Abrams — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 19:37:30 +0000

Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, announced that the agency’s most popular online services, the applications for retirement and Medicare and for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs, are now available in Spanish. The new online services are available at www.segurosocial.gov.

In addition to the new applications, Social Security has also recently made online estimates of retirement benefits available in Spanish. People interested in planning for retirement can get an immediate, personalized estimate of their Social Security benefit by using the Retirement Estimator at www.segurosocial.gov/calculador. Using people’s actual wages from their Social Security record, the Estimator gives a good idea of what to expect in retirement. Workers can enter in different dates and future wage projections to get estimates for different retirement scenarios, which is why this service is one of the most highly rated electronic services in the public or private sector.

Disney Parks Are Very Accessible for Guests with Disabilities

Sheri Abrams — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 23:01:03 +0000

All of the Disney Parks have been known as great places to vacation for guests with disabilities.

Disney Parks offer many services for guests with disabilities, including unique ride cars that enable guests to remain in their wheelchairs, American Sign Language interpretation at live shows, special equipment and facilities for resort access, and disability-specific pamphlets and guidebooks.

However, recently Disney has gotten even more accessible.

Disney guests with visual disabilities are now able to explore Disney parks in a whole new way. Utilizing an enhanced, 7.2-ounce Disney-designed handheld device, users first hear an interactive audio menu from which they may choose the type of information they’d like to receive.

The assistive technology device’s options include: descriptions of outdoor locations throughout the park like nearby attractions, restaurants and entertainment, or detailed audio description of key visual elements inside more than 20 attractions.

Guests with some hearing loss are covered, too — assistive listening features include captioning to read while enjoying specific attractions, and visual indicator door knocks in resort hotel rooms.

New Rule Strengthens Protections for Americans with Disabilities at Rail Stations

Sheri Abrams — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 21:22:33 +0000

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has announced that individuals with disabilities will have greater access to intercity, commuter and high-speed train travel as a result of a new rule requiring new station platform construction or significant renovation to enable those with disabilities to get on and off any car on a train.

“This will help give passengers with disabilities better access to rail travel across the country,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “By putting this protection in place, passengers with disabilities will be able to get on and off any accessible car that is available to passengers at a new or altered station platform.”

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is amending its Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations to require intercity, commuter and high-speed passenger railroads to ensure, at new and significantly renovated station platforms, that passengers with disabilities can get on and off any accessible car of the train. Passenger railroads must provide level-entry boarding at new or altered stations in which no track passing through the station and adjacent to platforms is shared with existing freight rail operations. For new or altered stations in which track shared with existing freight rail operations precludes compliance, passenger railroads will be able to choose among a variety of means to meet a performance standard to ensure that passengers with disabilities can access each accessible train car that other passengers can board at the station. These options include providing car-borne lifts, station-based lifts, or mini-high platforms. The Department will review a railroad’s proposed method to ensure that it provides reliable and safe services to individuals with disabilities in an integrated manner.

This new rule also requires that transit providers carry a wheelchair and occupant if the lift and vehicle can physically accommodate them, unless doing so is inconsistent with legitimate safety requirements.

Social Security Announces 3.6 Percent Benefit Increase for 2012

Sheri Abrams — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 21:08:09 +0000

Cost-of-Living Adjustment is First Since 2009

Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 60 million Americans will increase 3.6 percent in 2012, the Social Security Administration announced.

The 3.6 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits that nearly 55 million Social Security beneficiaries receive in January 2012.

Increased payments to more than 8 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 30, 2011.

For some beneficiaries, their Social Security increase may be partially or completely offset by increases in Medicare premiums

Information about Medicare changes for 2012, when announced, will be available at www.Medicare.gov.

The Social Security Act provides for how the COLA is calculated. To read more, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/cola

Social Security Recipients Are Expected to Get COLA in 2012

Sheri Abrams — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 20:29:28 +0000

For the past two years those who receive Social Security Disability and Retirement have not received a cost of living increase to their benefit amount. But in 2012 this is expected to change, when an announcement is made this week and will be effective starting this January.

This increase is because for the first time in the last 2 years the consumer price index – a measure of how much it costs consumers, on average, to buy things like food and transportation – rose considerably from a year ago.

Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (or COLA) is calculated using this index, and payments are increased when the measure jumps from one year to the next.

Based on this index data, the raise is likely to be about 3.5%. A person who receives $10,000 from Social Security last year would receive an extra $350 in 2012.

However, some of this increase will be lost to higher Medicare premiums, which are deducted from Social Security payments.

Medicare Part B premiums for 2012 are expected to be announced next week, and the trustees who oversee the program are projecting an increase.

Social Security Expands Compassionate Allowances Conditions

Sheri Abrams — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 19:53:56 +0000

Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, announced on October 13, 2011, 13 new Compassionate Allowances conditions involving the immune system and neurological disorders. The Compassionate Allowances program fast-tracks disability decisions to ensure that Americans with the most serious disabilities receive their benefit decisions within days instead of months or years. Commissioner Astrue made the announcement during his remarks at the U.S. Conference on Rare Diseases and Orphan Products in Washington, D.C. “Social Security handles more than three million disability applications each year and we need to keep innovating and making our work more efficient,” Commissioner Astrue said. “With our Compassionate Allowances program, we quickly approved disability benefits for more than 60,000 people with severe disabilities in the past fiscal year. We have made significant improvements, but we can always do more.”

The Compassionate Allowances initiative identifies claims where the nature of the applicant’s disease or condition clearly meets the statutory standard for disability. With the help of sophisticated new information technology, the agency can quickly identify potential Compassionate Allowances and then quickly make decisions. Social Security launched the Compassionate Allowances program in 2008 with a list of 50 diseases and conditions. The announcement of 13 new conditions, effective in December, will increase the total number of Compassionate Allowances conditions to 113. The conditions include certain cancers, adult brain disorders, a number of rare genetic disorders of children, early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and other disorders.

In addition, the agency recently streamlined its online disability application for people who have a condition on the Compassionate Allowances list.

New Compassionate Allowances Conditions

Malignant Multiple Sclerosis
Paraneoplastic Pemphigus
Multicentric Castleman Disease
Pulmonary Kaposi Sarcoma
Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma
Primary Effusion Lymphoma
Angelman Syndrome
Lewy Body Dementia
Lowe Syndrome
Corticobasal Degeneration
Multiple System Atrophy
Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
The ALS/Parkinsonism Dementia Complex

PETS HELPING DISABLED KIDS

Sheri Abrams — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 02:58:35 +0000

Canines for Disabled Kids (CDK) is a non-profit organization connecting children with disabilities to canine-assistance programs and resources. The CDK mission is twofold, first, to help families with disabled children obtain service dogs through education, financial aid and advocacy and second, to make families aware that these resources even exist.

There are approximately 52 million Americans with disabilities in the United States and about one percent use service dogs. With a higher demand than supply, canine assistance programs often impose disability or age-specific requirements along with waiting periods of up to 10 years. Children with disabilities under the age of 12 are often the ones denied training assistance dogs.

Seeing the challenge, Canines for Disabled Kids began to bring awareness to families with special need children, encouraging the placement of assistance dogs with these children. Since 1998, CDK has sponsored over 130 assistance dogs and provided services to more than 15,000 individuals.

Canines for Disabled Kids is helping children with disabilities gain independence and participate more fully in society. We want to bring this program to the thousands of families who are unaware that help is out there.

How you can help:

· Visit http://www.caninesforkids.org/ for additional details

· Donate directly to Canines for Disabled Kids

Spread the word! And get involved along with friends and family

New Website, the Medicaid Reference Desk, provides help to the disabled

Sheri Abrams — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 02:10:21 +0000

The Medicaid Reference Desk is a tool to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities find out what Medicaid can offer them.

The Medicaid Reference Desk is located at: http://www.thedesk.info/

September is National Pain Awareness Month

Sheri Abrams — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 19:53:36 +0000

The purpose of Pain Awareness Month is to bring attention to the suffering of 75 million Americans and to highlight the need for research and new, improved treatment options.

How You Can Observe Pain Awareness Month:

The American Pain Foundation Action Network is asking that you join the “If I Lived in a World with Less Pain, I Could…” campaign to raise awareness and help secure a first-ever presidential proclamation naming every September National Pain Awareness Month.

Rest Ministries is sponsoring National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week from September 12 – 18, 2011. Their Web site features a number of opportunities to participate including guest bloggers who discuss various issues people with invisible illnesses face every day, and virtual conferences you can access through your computer.

“Autism on the Seas” Now Offering Land Resort Stays

Sheri Abrams — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 01:53:22 +0000

“Autism on the Seas” is expanding their vacation offerings. They are not only continuing to offer Cruise Vacations for Special Needs families, they are now offering Land Resort Stays as well.

“Autism on the Seas” first Resort Stay will be in August 2012, at the all Inclusive
Club Med Resort, Sandpiper Bay in St Lucie Florida.

For More information click here http://www.alumnicruises.org/Autism/news.htm