Prevent These Social Security Mistakes or Suffer Losing Your Chances for Benefits

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It is already a given fact: around 70 percent of Social Security Disability benefits are denied at the initial application stage. One of the most common reasons why this happens is because disability applicants fall into certain mistakes during the application process that they unknowingly do. In Social Security, applicants must remember that one wrong move may cost them a lot, which includes losing the chance to receive disability benefits.

As such, here are the five Social Security mistakes applicants must greatly avoid during the initial application process:

1.)    Filing for disability while doing work. This is one mistake that many applicants do. Social Security approves claims of persons who cannot perform work and earn substantial income because of a debilitating ailment. As such, contradicting the fact that a person is able to work while he or she is proving to the Social Security that he or she cannot do so because of a disability may result in a denial.

2.)    Filing for disability benefits too early. The Social Security may find it hard to prove in an applicant’s claim that he or she is suffering from a long-term or permanent disability if he or she files for benefits too soon. One must only do so if it has already been established that his or her disability is expected to last for a year or more.

3.)    Thinking that the consultative exam equates to medical evidence. The purpose of the consultative exam is to examine a person’s disability to see if it supports his or her claim. As such, the exam is not used to determine proof of his or her disability.

4.)    Not taking medicines and/or undergoing prescribed treatments. A person who does either one of these may force the Social Security to think that he or she is not disabled at all, therefore reducing his or her chances for disability benefits.

5.)    Undergoing the appeals process without legal representation. One reason why applicants don’t retain the services of legal representatives is because they can’t afford one. It is always a big mistake to go alone in a disability hearing, thus the need of an attorney.

Accordingly, to avoid falling into these mistakes, disability applicants may seek the help of Los Angeles Social Security Disability claim lawyers. That way, they won’t have to deal with their denied claims the hard way.

Working Your Way Round Shorter SSA Office Hours

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The Social Security Administration (SSA) is in dire straits, given the many problems that it is facing now. The agency is currently doing a lot of measures to keep the costs down to stretch the little budget that they are getting from the federal government.

One of these measures is the earlier closing hours of its field offices. This move, according to the SSA, will help slash costs by ensuring that employees do not have to work overtime just to get their interviews and work done.

Beginning in the last week of November 2011, the SSA’s field offices are closing 3 p.m. instead of the usual 3:30 p.m. Then later on, in January 2013, the offices are now being closed after lunchtime every Wednesday. However this shortened time means one thing. You’ll end up battling for time, making it more difficult to have your claims approved.

This doesn’t mean that you can’t do anything about it, though. Here are some of the tips that you can do to ensure that your application will still soon be processed in time:

• Be prepared. Make sure that you have everything with you, such as requirements, medical records, and everything that might be needed for the SSA officers to accept your application. Make sure you also have photocopies of the same documents; have them receive copies of it so you have proof that you have submitted everything that they need. This can greatly help speed up the process.
• Be early. The early bird catches the worm indeed. Being early puts you on top of the queue of lines for the processing of your papers. This lets you zip through the different processes faster. No more all-day waiting for your name or number to be called.
• Be attentive. Make sure to pay good attention to everything that is being discussed in the application process. This will help you do the right thing in the application. By intently listening to the directions or questions given you, you will be able to follow or reply immediately, helping you steer clear from mistakes that can further slow down the processes. Ask for the help of Los Angeles Social Security claim lawyers to get a better understanding of things that you find hard to decipher.

These latest changes in the SSA office hours can bring a lot of inconvenience to its thousands of applicants. Are you going to whine about it or find a workaround to this? As it is, the choice is yours to make.

Legal Remedies for Whistleblowers

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Have you witnessed a big scandal in your office? What was seen or heard can never be unseen or unheard. Sadly, you will be tied with that responsibility carrying that burden your entire life. However, there is something that you can do about it so you can get your life back. They said that the truth will set you free. This adage has never been truer. If you happen to know any wrongdoing in your office that needs exposure, now is the perfect time to let it all out.

The State of California—just like any other state in the country has legislations that aim to protect whistle blowers like you. These are just some of it:

• Labor Code 1102.5. This law gives protection from retaliation against whistle blowers in government agencies.
• Health & Safety Code 1278.5. This law offers protection from retaliation against patients, doctors, nurses, and medical staff who have blown the whistle against government or accrediting agencies on medical patient care issues at a health facility.
• Labor Code 98.6. This law gives protection from retaliation against employees that filed a complaint for labor code violations with the Labor Commissioner or the Department of Fair Employment & Housing (DFEH).
• Labor Code 6399.7. This law offers protection from retaliation against employees the filed a complaint or testified on occupational safety and health matters.
• Government Code 12653. This law protects an employee from retaliation after they have reported to the government any fraudulent billings that were submitted for payment to the government.
• Government Code 1294(h). This legislation helps prohibit retaliation against employees who oppose discriminatory or harassing treatment on the basis of religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical and mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex and sexual orientation, and race.

Reporting the violations made by your company or employer can be a very difficult challenge. However, you can do something about it to set yourself free. With mentioned legislations by your side, you are sure to triumph against abusive people at work. All that you need are pieces of evidence and a good Los Angeles labor lawyer that can help represent you in the case.