Louisville Social Security Disability Law Blog

Louisville, Kentucky, residents who suffer from difficult-to-diagnose medical conditions such as fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) know first-hand just how frustrating it can be to live with a disorder that prevents them from being able to work or from being able to participate in other physical activities that they once enjoyed.

In addition to enduring the painful symptoms of the disorders, individuals oftentimes have to undergo numerous tests just to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia or CFS, which can be a lengthy and exhausting process. And even after a patient is finally diagnosed with a chronic illness, he or she could spend another several months trying to obtain Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

But in 2009, the results of a study suggested that an underlying cause for CFS was discovered, providing many individuals from Louisville and all over the world with hope that the disorder would one day be easy to diagnose and treat. Unfortunately, the authors of the study recently retracted some of their findings.

Once a mentally or physically disabled individual finally obtains Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the individual may feel as if a great weight has been lifted off of his or her shoulders. As we have previously discussed on our Louisville, Kentucky, Social Security Disability law blog, obtaining these disability benefits can be a lengthy and challenging process.

But as Kentucky residents begin to learn how to cope with their physical or mental impairments, they may at some point consider seeking employment once again. Fortunately, the Social Security Administration offers a program called "Ticket to Work" that provides eligible individuals with the resources they need to find employment without completely losing their current monthly benefits. When these individuals do find steady employment, they may eventually become less reliant on SSD and SSI benefits, which can certainly be an empowering feeling for those who live with impairments.

Alzheimer's disease typically begins to affect individuals in their later years of life. Some symptoms individuals may begin to experience if they have the degenerative brain disease are memory loss and the gradual loss of other cognitive abilities as the disease progresses, making it difficult for individuals with the illness to do the things they were once fully capable of doing.

Due to the debilitating effects of the disease, individuals who are diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's may be eligible to apply for Social Security Disability benefits. Because these individuals may not be able to afford waiting several months for their benefits to be approved, the Social Security Administration has listed the disease on the administration's Compassionate Allowances program (CAL) list. This means that individuals may be eligible to expedite their claims for disability benefits so that they can get the financial assistance they need in a timely manner.

Although disability benefits may help those who have early-onset Alzheimer's, discovering that one may begin to lose his or her memory can be devastating. What's more devastating is that the disease can be difficult to treat since it is not usually until the illness has reached its advanced stages that individuals begin to realize they may have the degenerative brain disease.

However, researchers now believe that they may have found a way to detect the disease before individuals begin to experience symptoms, which could also mean that patients could be treated much sooner to possibly prevent the illness from progressing.

With many veterans returning home to Louisville and other parts of Kentucky from Afghanistan and Iraq, these individuals may be getting ready to apply for Veteran's disability benefits and Social Security Disability benefits. However, there is already a huge backlog of applications for disability benefits, and some veterans who need benefits now to pay for medical treatment could end up waiting months before receiving the compensation that they need and deserve.

A spokesman for the Veterans of Foreign Wars said that it is not uncommon for veterans to wait about six months before their applications are processed and compensation amounts are approved. If a claim is denied and needs to be appealed, the disabled veteran could end up waiting another two years before receiving benefits.

But when veterans need compensation now to cover medical expenses or treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, waiting this long for benefits could put veterans in serious financial trouble.

Earlier this week on our Louisville Social Security Disability law blog, we discussed how cancer patients can certainly benefit from treatment, but patients can also experience debilitating side effects from treatment. In some cases, individuals may be eligible for disability benefits if they cannot work for at least 12 months as a result of cancer or treatment from cancer.

Because cancer can have such a significant impact on one's health and life, advocates continue to urge individuals to take any preventative measures that they can in order to protect their health. For the month of January, advocates are raising awareness of the high rate of cervical cancer amongst women in Kentucky and how women can take certain precautions in order to prevent contracting the disease.

Cancer patients all across the world have benefited greatly from the improvements that have been made over the past few decades in chemotherapy, radiation and other treatments. New approaches for detecting cancer in individuals and awareness campaigns have also helped to prevent the disease from spreading in some cases.

Kentucky patients who have been diagnosed with cancer still in its early stages or those who are responding well to treatment may feel confident about beating the disease, but the side effects of treatment can also take a great toll on one's body. In some cases, patients may not be able to work while recovering from treatment. Fortunately, Kentucky residents who are unable to work for at least 12 months while being treated for cancer may be eligible to apply for disability benefits.

Louisville, Kentucky, residents who have applied or who are in the process of applying for Social Security Disability (SSD) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits may know all too well how difficult and time consuming the process can be. A simple mistake could delay the process even more, preventing an individual from receiving the benefits he or she may be in desperate need of during these tough economic times.

According to the Wall Street Journal, preliminary reports regarding a study of unemployed workers suggest that more Americans are applying for disability payments when their unemployment benefits begin to run out. Not only does this mean that the increase in applications may cause all applications in Kentucky and across the country to be processed at a slower rate, but it could also mean that some applications are being approved for individuals who do not qualify for benefits.

Christmas music is playing everywhere, sending the message to Louisville residents that this is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year. But for individuals who suffer from bipolar disorder, seasonal affective disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety or depression, the holidays may actually be the worst time of year.

These mental illnesses are serious disorders that can cause an individual to become disabled. However, Kentucky residents may not realize just how debilitating these illnesses can be until the holiday season comes around. Individuals are reminded everywhere they go of the joy, love and happiness family and friends offer. But for individuals who have difficulty finding joy in anything, this time of year can be exceptionally painful, or even deadly.