Disability Help Group Recognized As A National Top 10 Social Security Disability Firm in 2024
Disability Help Group is proud to announce its recognition, for the third year in a row, as one of the nation’s Top Ten Social Security Disability Firms in 2024. This prestigious award highlights the company’s commitment to excellence in assisting clients through the complexities of the Social Security Disability process.
“We are honored to be recognized among the top groups in the country,” said Matt Sauerwald, President of Disability Help Group. “This award reflects our team’s commitment to helping our clients navigate the often-challenging path to obtaining Social Security disability benefits. We will continue to strive for excellence.”
With a track record of success and client satisfaction, Disability Help Group has dedicated itself to providing compassionate and comprehensive support to individuals seeking disability benefits. This ACRD, Advocates, Counselors, and Representatives for the Disabled, award inspires our experienced team of advocates to continue to work tirelessly to ensure that our clients receive the assistance they deserve.
As a recognized leader in the field, Disability Help Group remains focused on enhancing its services and expanding its reach to help even more individuals obtain the disability benefits they are entitled to.
About Disability Help Group
Disability Help Group, https://disabilityhelpgroup.com, is a national disability advocacy company founded by experienced disability experts who have been representing individuals for over 15 years. Disability Help Group is committed to providing the highest level of service and expertise to individuals throughout all 50 states.
Click here to contact our team today or call us at 800-800-3332.
“Arthritis” is a general term that covers several different medical conditions. The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, in which cartilage wears down. This breakdown can cause joint swelling, grating, stiffness, pain, and other issues in the affected joints. However several other types that can cause similar symptoms, including rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis.
It is possible to secure Social Security disability (SSD) benefits for this condition, but not everyone suffering qualifies.
SSD Eligibility
To qualify for SSD benefits, the applicant must:
Have accrued sufficient Social Security work credits
The Social Security Administration (SSA) approaches determining whether you meet their definition of disabled in two different ways. One is to determine whether your medical condition meets or equals a condition listed in the Social Security Blue Book. The Blue Book lists many medical conditions, along with specific criteria to be deemed disabled under that listing.
However, the type of arthritis you suffer from and what part of your body is affected determines which listing the SSA applies. For instance, osteoarthritis is evaluated under the musculoskeletal section of the Blue Book. But, arthritis of the spine is assessed under a different set of criteria than arthritis that has caused abnormality in a major joint in the knee, elbow, wrist or ankle.
Rheumatoid arthritis, though the disabling symptoms may be very similar to those of osteoarthritis, is evaluated as an immune system disorder. The criteria for evaluating different types in different parts of the body are too extensive to list in full here. However, an experienced disability benefits advocate can help you determine which listing or listings apply in your circumstances and what type of medical evidence will be required to show that you meet or equal the listing.
SSD for Arthritis that Doesn’t Meet a Blue Book Listing
If your condition doesn’t meet a Blue Book listing, you may still qualify for SSD benefits. Some situations in which you may still be eligible for disability include:
Osteoarthritis affecting multiple body parts in a way that combines to prevent engaging in SGA, even though the applicant didn’t meet the listing for any single body part
Arthritis combined with one or more other conditions that together leave the applicant unable to engage in SGA
When you don’t meet a listing for a single condition, the analysis is more holistic, and takes into account your age, education, and work history. Older applicants with work experience limited to heavier physical labor are more likely to be found to be disabled.
Take the Next Step Right Now
Whether you’re just about to file for SSD or have been denied and want to appeal, Disability Help Group is here for you. Our experienced advocates have deep knowledge of the SSD application and appeals processes and the type of evidence required to prove your claim. Call us today at 800-800-3332 to hear how we can help or click here to complete our contact form.
Medicare Negotiates Prices and Saves People Billions
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 made several changes that affect Medicare beneficiaries. One of the most significant empowers Medicare to negotiate the prices of single-source drugs that don’t have generic competition or similar alternatives available. The negotiations are rolling out in rounds.
While most people think of Medicare as a benefit for retired workers receiving Social Security benefits, it’s important to remember that Social Security disability (SSD) recipients are also entitled to Medicare benefits after two years. Here’s what retirees and SSD recipients receiving Medicare benefits can expect.
Round One Drugs
To start, Medicare will be targeting 10 drugs. These 10 drugs alone account for more than $50 billion in Medicare Part D expenditures. Between June of 2022 and May of 2023, more than 8 million Part D participants took at least one of these drugs. Their share of the cost was more than $3.4 billion, or an average of about $412 each.
The first-round drugs are:
Eliquis, for the prevention and treatment of blood clots–more than 3.7 million participants took this drug during that one-year period
Jardiance, for diabetes and heart failure–more than 1.5 million participants took this drug during that one-year period
Xarelto, for prevention and treatment of blood clots–more than 1.3 million participants took this drug during that one-year period
Januvia, for diabetes–more than 850,000 Medicare Part D participants took this drug during that one-year period
Farxiga, for diabetes, heart disease and chronic kidney disease–nearly 800,000 participants took this drug during that one-year period
Entresto, for heart failure–more than 550,000 recipients took this drug during that one-year period
Enbrel, for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis–nearly 50,000 participants took this drug during that one-year period
Imbruvica, for blood cancers–20,000 recipients took this drug during that one-year period
Stelara, for psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis–more than 20,000 participants took this drug during that one-year period
Fiasp and NovoLog insulin products, for diabetes–more than 750,000 participants took this drug during that one-year period
Medicare recipients can look forward to cost savings starting in 2026. The U.S Department of Health and Human Services has also released final guidance for the second round of negotiations, which will impact 2027 pricing.
Medicare and Social Security Disability (SSD)
The first step toward qualifying for Medicare benefits is to successfully apply for Social Security retirement benefits or SSD benefits. If you are considering applying for SSD or have been denied SSD benefits, Disability Help Group can help. Our experienced advocates have deep knowledge of the SSD application and appeals processes and the type of evidence required to prove your claim. To learn more, call 800-800-3332 or fill out our contact form.
Asthma is increasingly common, in the U.S. and around the world. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, about 27 million Americans have asthma. Not everyone who suffers from this condition is disabled. However, the condition can limit your ability to work, and even to attend to other areas of life. Whether or not asthma qualifies you for Social Security disability (SSD) benefits depends in large part on the severity of your symptoms and the limitations they create. In some circumstances, other factors may be considered.
Asthma as a Disability
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic medical condition that narrows the airways through inflammation. The condition can also cause excess mucus in the airways, and muscle constriction. Each of these can decrease the space for air to pass through, making it difficult to breathe. In some people, this condition is relatively minor and can be treated effectively with medication. But the symptoms of asthma can be serious, and even life threatening.
When Is Asthma Disability?
Asthma is listed in the Social Security Blue Book. The listing criteria are technical. To qualify based on the listing requires:
That the applicant have an FEV1 value at or below a specific level. The cut-off level varies based on the applicant’s age, sex, and height. The measurement must be from the same 12-month period as the hospitalizations required by part B.
The applicant must have suffered exacerbations or complications requiring hospitalization within a 12-month period. The hospitalizations must have been at least 30 days apart, and of at least 48 hours in duration.
Note that the symptoms and severity of this condition and response to treatment may vary over time. So, the Social Security Administration (SSA) may re-evaluate to determine whether a person receiving SSD benefits for asthma is still disabled.
If you don’t meet the listing criteria, it may still be possible to secure SSD benefits. The process is a bit more complex, and takes into account factors such as your age, educational level, and past work experience. For example, if you are an older worker whose work experience is limited to high-exertion physical labor, you will be more likely to be found to be disabled than if you are a 30-year-old accountant or officer manager.
Get Help with Your SSD Claim for Asthma
Most SSD claims are initially denied. Ensuring that you complete your application fully and accurately and the right type and amount of documentation can make a big difference. Our experienced disability benefits advocates know the process inside out, and have a solid understanding of what the SSA is looking for. To learn more about how we can help with your SSD application or appeal, call 800-800-3332 right now or fill out our contact form.
Poor Sleep Quality May Make Alzheimer’s Disease Conditions Worse
Alzheimer’s disease is a cognitive disability that gradually reduces a patient’s ability to remember and process information. The condition can cause many symptoms, including inability to sleep and disturbances in normal sleep patterns. Researchers are now looking at these sleep disturbances as a clue to how Alzheimer’s damages the cognitive function of those afflicted with the disease.
A new study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease has found that chemical changes in the brain can be caused by the sleep disturbances commonly associated with Alzheimer’s. Researchers at the University of California-Irvine studied how common Alzheimer’s sleep patterns, which include being awake for 40 percent or more of normal sleep hours and sleeping during the day, may affect memory problems.
Studies have also suggested that sleep patterns earlier in life may contribute to later dementia risk. Both insufficient sleep and sleeping longer than average have been linked to a greater likelihood of developing dementia. However, it has been hard to determine whether these sleep changes contribute to the disease or simply reflect early symptoms.
The research simulated jet-lag style sleep disturbances by altering the normal light and dark times with a shortened dark period, causing the Alzheimer’s-inflicted mice used in the study to have disturbed sleeping patterns. The mice with disturbed sleeping patterns showed significant learning impairments compared to the mice with normal circadian rhythm cycles.
Further research has found that the sleep disturbances led to a decrease in glutathione levels in brain cells. Glutathione is an antioxidant that assists in the prevention of damage to essential cellular components in the brain. A deficiency in this antioxidant can cause redox changes in brain cells, which can affect brain metabolism and inflammation. These conditions are related to the progression of Alzheimer’s, and if medications could target and prevent redox reactions, it could lead to new treatment options.
Does Alzheimer’s qualify for Social Security Disability benefits?
Alzheimer’s disease is just one of many cognitive disorders that can qualify a person for Social Security disability benefits. If you or a loved one can no longer work and earn a living due to a mental disorder or cognitive decline, the Disability Help Group is here to assist with your case. Contact us online or call us at 1-(800)-800-3332 to schedule a consultation with our disability advocates!
