Monday, August 13, 2007

Social Security Fibromyalgia Seminar

Cannon & Anderson have been invited to speak about Social Security Disability benefits at the office of Dr. Matthew Lester on Tuesday, August 21, 2007 at 12:15 p.m. The topic will be how the disability process handles fibromyalgia cases. The meeting should last about 45 minutes.

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?

When it rains, it pours. The Knoxville Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) called us to schedule hearings today for six (6) of our clients! It has been several weeks since any cases have been scheduled for our clients so we were glad to get the call.

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

I got hurt on the job. I am drawing worker's compensation benefits. Can I file a claim for Social Security disability benefits now or should I wait until the worker's compensation ends?

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.

Thanks to: http://nosscr.org/hallfaq.html#08

Commissioner Proposes to Extend Quick Determination Process to all States

From time to time, there have been proposals on speeding up the Disability evaluation system. Here is the latest from Commissioner Michael Astrue.

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.

During May and June, Joe and I have been very busy. We had 10 cases scheduled for hearings.

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

These kinds of stories always tickle me:

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.

During the past few weeks, the Social Security hearing office in Knoxville has scheduled several of our clients for hearings. The requests for these hearings were filed in August and September, 2005. Currently, cases are being worked up for people who requested hearings in October, 2005.

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.

Here is a story about some folks who cashed an "extra" check sent to them by Social Security. Many thought their punishment would only be to pay the money back. Now they face fraud charges.

Read the whole thing here.

How Long? An Update.

The Office of Disability Adjudication and Review here in Knoxville has really been on the ball, scheduling lots of cases lately.

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 Knoxville Office of Disability Adjudication and Review called today to schedule two more disability cases for hearings. Both hearings will be in April 2007. Both of my clients live in East Tennessee.

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

Nearly every day I get several calls from clients who wonder, "has anything happened on my case". Last time I checked with the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review, there were approximately 4,300 cases waiting to be heard. That's 4,300 people who are out of work, and running short of money.

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.

For nearly two years, Terry Van Gieson had to wear a plastic bag, like a diaper, around his stomach to collect his body's waste. He has other troubles, too. Numbness in his legs makes it difficult to walk or stand for long. He's diabetic. And recent surgery for his intestinal problems has him back in the hospital.

But his biggest worry is his Social Security disability check.

He can't get one, even though he paid into the system for 20 years while he worked. Twice, the government has told him no. He's not sick enough.

He appealed the decision in December 2005.

Ever since, the 41-year-old security guard from South Euclid has been waiting to see an administrative law judge in Cleveland to plead his case. In the meantime, he has sold his belongings. He lives off food stamps, $115 a month in welfare and a girlfriend who has gone into debt supporting him. And he's hoping for his day in court.

More than 12,600 other people are waiting with him, according to numbers from the Social Security Administration. That's just to get a hearing in the Cleveland office, which handles cases from throughout Northeast Ohio. Of the U.S. Social Security Administration's 140 other hearing offices across the country, only six have bigger backlogs and one is in Columbus, according to 2006 Social Security data provided by the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives. The professional group is for lawyers and paralegals who help those filing for disability.

Cannon & Anderson, Attorneys
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

The Social Security Administration announced recently a 3.3% increase in benefits for 2007. This increase applies to Disability, SSI, retirement, and survivor's benefits.

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.

We handle cases for Social Security Disability and SSI across East Tennessee. Call our Knoxville office and make an appointment for a free case evaluation.

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'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.
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."

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.

Here is an article that ran recently in the Charlotte Observer. It looks like their waiting times for Social Security disability benefit hearings are even longer than the ones here in Knoxville and other East Tennessee hearing offices.
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

Did you know that if you are receiving Social Security Disability benefits, you can avoid paying the Knox County wheel tax?

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

The Knoxville News-Sentinel is reporting that Professional Drivers Medical Depots, a Knoxville based company that specializes in treating the medical needs of truck drivers, opened a clinic on Watt Road Monday.

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.

Last week, the hearings office in Knoxville called to schedule two cases. Both are being heard on February 20, 2007. Both appeals were filed in May 2005.

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