Useful Information for people applying for, or receiving disability benefits from the Social Security Administration.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Social Security Fibromyalgia Seminar
The public is invited to attend. There is no charge for the seminar.
Dr. Lester's office is located at 901 B Merchants Dr., Knoxville, TN 37912.
Dr. Lester's website is located here.
Cannon & Anderson, Attorneys
Straight Answers about Social Security Disability
2916 Tazewell Pike, Ste. F
Knoxville, TN 37918
(865) 522-9000
How Long?
On each case, the Request for hearing was filed in January or February 2005. Most of these folks became disabled some time in 2004.
Cannon & Anderson, Attorneys
Straight Answers about Social Security Disability
2916 Tazewell Pike, Ste. F
Knoxville, TN 37918
(865) 522-9000
Monday, August 06, 2007
Disability Benefits for "Wounded Warriors"
Military service members can receive expedited processing of disability claims from Social Security. Benefits available through Social Security are different than those from the Department of Veterans Affairs and require a separate application. The expedited process is used for military service members who become disabled while on active military service on or after October 1, 2001, regardless of where the disability occurs.This, according to SSA's latest publication.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Worker's Compensation and Social Security
You do not have to wait until the worker's compensation ends and you should not wait that long. You can file a claim for Social Security disability benefits while receiving worker's compensation benefits. It is best to file the Social Security disability claim as soon as possible because there may be a gap between the time the worker's compensation ends and the Social Security disability benefits begin.
Commissioner Proposes to Extend Quick Determination Process to all States
Link.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Anderson Admitted to U.S. Supreme Court
On June 4, 2007, I had the privilege of being admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States in Washington, D.C.
I am a member of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, and the first Monday in June is reserved for members of PAD to be admitted to the Court. Three of the current Justices are members of PAD.
No cameras are admitted inside the Courtroom, but here is a photo of me inside the John Marshall room which looks out onto a beautiful courtyard. About 25 other PAD members were admitted that day.
After Court was concluded, Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Stephen Breyer, Justice Samuel Alito, and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg spoke to the members. You can read about all of the Justices here.
Cannon & Anderson, Attorneys
Straight Answers about Social Security Disability
2916 Tazewell Pike, Ste. F
Knoxville, TN 37918
(865) 522-9000
How Long? Another Update.
Currently, we have three cases that are scheduled for hearings.
The hearings are scheduled for late July and early August. The Hearing Requests were filed between late October and early December 2005.
Cannon & Anderson, Attorneys
Straight Answers about Social Security Disability
2916 Tazewell Pike, Ste. F
Knoxville, TN 37918
(865) 522-9000
Former U.S. luxury restaurateur jailed for fraud
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The former vice president of a luxury U.S. restaurant chain with outlets in New York, London, Hong Kong and Venice was sentenced to up to four-and-a-half years prison on Monday for making false insurance claims.
Dennis Pappas, 60, the former vice president of Cipriani USA, which operates the Rainbow Room restaurant in Manhattan, was ordered to serve a minimum 18 months prison and ordered to pay more than $1 million in restitution.
You can read the entire story here.
Cannon & Anderson, Attorneys
Straight Answers about Social Security Disability
2916 Tazewell Pike, Ste. F
Knoxville, TN 37918
(865) 522-9000
Monday, May 07, 2007
How Long? An Update.
Cannon & Anderson, Attorneys
Straight Answers about Social Security Disability
2916 Tazewell Pike, Ste. F
Knoxville, TN 37918
(865) 522-9000
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Don't cash an extra check.
Read the whole thing here.
How Long? An Update.
Joe and I have ten cases currently scheduled for hearing, eight in Knoxville. All of these cases are for folks whose Social Security Disability files arrived at the ODAR in August or September 2005.
Monday, March 12, 2007
How Long? An Update.
The hearing Requests were filed in September 2005. Currently cases are being heard 19 months after hearing requests are filed.
Cannon & Anderson, Attorneys
Straight Answers about Social Security Disability
2916 Tazewell Pike, Ste. F
Knoxville, TN 37918
(865) 522-9000
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Knoxville not the only city with Disability Hearing Delays
Today, Joe shows me statistics from a recent NOSSCR newsletter, showing that the Knoxville office actally has more than 5,000 cases waiting for Social Security Disability hearings.
Imagine being at the bank with 5,000 people in front of you. Now imagine that the customers problems are very complex and that the bank staff can only handle 10-12 per day. The staff works as hard as they can, but the people just keep lining up.
Here is an article from the Cleveland Plain Dealer that sheds some light on the subject.
Cannon & Anderson, AttorneysBut his biggest worry is his Social Security disability check.
Straight Answers about Social Security Disability
2916 Tazewell Pike, Ste. F
Knoxville, TN 37918
(865) 522-9000
Friday, February 09, 2007
Increased Social Security Disability Benefits for Tennesseeans
Read SSA's press release here.
Cannon & Anderson, Attorneys
Straight Answers about Social Security Disability
2916 Tazewell Pike, Ste. F
Knoxville, TN 37918
(865) 522-9000
Sunday, February 04, 2007
What do I do if Social Security denies my claim for Social Security disability benefits?
Don't be surprised. but DON'T GIVE UP! In Tennessee, only about 1/3 of those who apply for Social Security Disability or SSI benefits are approved at the first stage.
If you are denied, you should appeal. Many people give up and lose benefits that they should have.
You should also hire a competent lawyer to represent you. Make sure your case is evaluated personally by an attorney--not by a paralegal or clerk. Additionally, you should know that there are many people who try to represent Social Security claimants who are not attorneys. Although they may mean well, they aren't held to the same high standards as attorneys, and cannot appeal cases through all steps of the Social Security Disability and SSI claims process.
Cannon & Anderson, Attorneys
Straight Answers about Social Security Disability
2916 Tazewell Pike, Ste. F
Knoxville, TN 37918
(865) 522-9000
Social Security Disability Recipients and SSI recipients should stay away from "payday" loans.
According to the Center for Responsible Lending, payday lenders cost American families $4.2 billion every year in predatory fees.It can be tempting for people waiting for Social Security Disability benefit or SSI benefit hearings to borrow money from one of these "cash advance" or "payday loan" services. It seems like these places are on every corner in Knoxville and other parts of East Tennessee. Any lawyer will tell you, "it isn't worth it."
It's appalling, but the minimum charge for these loans, fifteen dollars per $100, equates to a 390% annual percentage rate, or APR - that's multiplied by 26 paydays! Incredibly, only 2.5% of payday lending chains' customers stop at just one loan. Most customers average 5 to 10 loans - up to a 1,800% APR.
Payday lenders won't hesitate to loan to people getting Social Security disability checks.
Don't take my word for it. Take some time and read the report for yourself.
Cannon & Anderson, Attorneys
Straight Answers about Social Security Disability
2916 Tazewell Pike, Ste. F
Knoxville, TN 37918
(865) 522-9000
Friday, February 02, 2007
Waiting times long in other areas, too.
Since 2002, the backlog of Social Security cases has ballooned from 468,000 to 730,000, said Thomas Richards, executive director of the Federal Managers Association, which lobbies for government administrators.You can read the entire article here.
Cannon & Anderson, Attorneys
Straight Answers about Social Security Disability
2916 Tazewell Pike, Ste. F
Knoxville, TN 37918
(865) 522-9000
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Disabled Can Avoid Wheel Tax in Knox County
If you have been found disabled by the Social Security Administration, are a resident of Knox County, Tennessee, and make less than $ 12,500.00 per year (that's about $ 1,040.00 per month), you can apply to avoid paying the Wheel Tax.
Here is the form. You will need to submit it to the County Clerk. You won't even need an attorney to fill it out.
Cannon & Anderson
Straight Answers about Social Security Disability
2916 Tazewell Pike, Ste. F
Knoxville, TN 37918
(865) 522-9000
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
How much can I get from Social Security disability benefits?
Like many things, the answer is, "it depends." Nobody gets rich from Social Security. Everyone's benefit amount is different. It depends on what you have paid in. There is not a fixed amount for Social Security Disability Benefits. However, it is easy to find out.
You can use this benefit estimate calculator at www.ssa.gov. http://ssa.gov/planners/calculators.htm
You can also get a benefit estimate by calling the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213. In Knoxville, Tennessee, you can call the local Social Security office at (865) 692-0196.
For disability insurance benefits, it all depends upon how much you have worked and earned in the past. For disabled widow's or widower's benefits, it depends upon how much the late husband or wife worked and earned. For disabled adult child benefits, it all depends upon how much the parent worked and earned. For all types of SSI benefits, there is a base amount that an individual with no other income receives. Other income that an individual has reduces the amount of SSI which an individual can receive.
If you have any questions about Social Security Disability, call us for a free consultation. (865) 522-9000.
Cannon & Anderson
Straight Answers about Social Security Disability
2916 Tazewell Pike, Ste. F
Knoxville, TN 37918
(865) 522-9000
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Charlie Gibson, who has been in the trucking industry since 1946, speaks of the need for clinics such as PDMD that offer convenient medical care to truckers.
Watch a video at this link.
Cannon & Anderson
Straight Answers about Social Security Disability
2916 Tazewell Pike, Ste. F
Knoxville, TN 37918
(865) 522-9000
Monday, January 15, 2007
How Long? Another Update.
Both cases involve claims for Social Security Disability Benefits.
Cannon & Anderson
Straight Answers about Social Security Disability
2916 Tazewell Pike, Ste. F
Knoxville, TN 37918
(865) 522-9000