Many applaud new labor rule, but some fear it will complicate employment for some disabled workers
The U.S. Department of Labor is looking to phase out sheltered work programs that are allowed to pay disabled workers less than minimum wage.
Disability Benefits
Articles
Senators urge better access to disability payments for long COVID patients
Several U.S. senators have called on the Social Security Administration to take steps to make it easier for people with long COVID to access disability benefits, actions that disability rights advocates and patients say are desperately needed.
ALJ not required to consult additional medical expert in denial of disability benefits, 7th Circuit affirms
An administrative law judge was correct in denying disability insurance benefits to a man who waited more than 18 months to see a doctor after hurting his back at work, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed Tuesday.
ALJ properly analyzed ‘enough’ factors to support disability benefits denial, 7th Circuit rules
While an administrative law judge might have erred in his analysis of some factors in rejecting a woman’s disability benefits application, “enough” of his analysis supported his ruling, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in affirming the benefits denial.
Disabled daughter’s disability benefits can’t be used to offset father’s child support obligation, COA affirms
Addressing a child support dispute for the second time on appeal, the Court of Appeals of Indiana has rejected a father’s argument that his disabled daughter’s disability benefits should be used to offset his child support obligation.
7th Circuit vacates, remands disability case where medical records belonging to different claimant may have been used in ALJ decision
An administrative law judge’s decision to deny a man’s disability application may have relied on medical records belonging to someone else, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday in vacating a district court’s judgment and remanding the case.
Supreme Court turns away veterans who seek disability benefits over 1966 hydrogen bomb accident
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected an appeal on behalf of some U.S. veterans who want disability benefits because they were exposed to radiation while responding to a Cold War-era hydrogen bomb accident in Spain.
Woman indicted for using stolen Social Security numbers, nursing license to get jobs while also receiving disability benefits
A woman who used stolen Social Security numbers and a stolen nursing license to obtain jobs while simultaneously receiving disability benefits has been indicted on federal fraud and identity theft charges.
Woman was not disabled while getting treatment for back pain, 7th Circuit affirms
A woman with chronic back pain failed to convince the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals that she is entitled to disability benefits.
7th Circuit affirms denial of disability benefits, agrees 89,000 is ‘significant’ number of jobs
A woman seeking disability benefits has lost her argument that a judge improperly found there were a “significant” number of jobs she could perform despite her disabilities.
Newness of ‘long COVID’ requires new arguments, detailed medical records
While attorneys say they have few answers for those who are calling their offices seeking help for the lingering debilitative symptoms of COVID-19, legal professionals are certain that obtaining disability benefits for long COVID is going to take a long fight.
7th Circuit affirms denial of disability benefits, urges petitioner to ‘give work a shot’
A northern Indiana woman who applied for Social Security disability benefits shortly after from graduating high school did not convince the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals that an administrative law judge erred in denying her claim.
7th Circuit: No disability discrimination in former Lake Co. officer’s pension plan
A disabled former Lake County police officer who claimed that his disability pension plan should provide the same cost-of-living increases that nondisabled retirees receive did not sway the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Disability denial highlights credibility issue
Erica Mandrell’s story of failing to convince a judge that her mental trauma qualified her for disability benefits is so common that her attorney said the denial reflects the “default culture” of the Social Security Administration.
7th Circuit rules ALJ failed to consider extent of disability caused by rape
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has overturned the denial of Social Security disability benefits for an honorably discharged female member of the U.S. Coast Guard who was raped by a fellow service member, finding the administrative law judge’s determination was not supported by the substantial evidence.
7th Circuit: No ‘qualitative’ limitations in disability denial
An Indiana woman who was denied Social Security disability benefits failed to convince the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals that an administrative law judge erred by not considering the mental difficulty she experienced when being around more than five people at once.
7th Circuit upholds denial of disability benefits
An Indiana woman will not receive Social Security disability benefits after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed her ailments don’t limit her from, at a minimum, sedentary work.
Court seems reluctant to sweep Puerto Rico into SSI program
The Supreme Court appeared reluctant Tuesday to rule for a resident of Puerto Rico who claims it’s unconstitutional to be excluded from a welfare program that’s available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
7th Circuit: Child with ADHD, other conditions not entitled to disability benefits
A Hoosier child with several intellectual limitations is not considered disabled and therefore doesn’t qualify to receive benefits from the Social Security Administration, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled.
7th Circuit upholds denial of disability benefits based on expert testimony
An administrative law judge’s reliance on expert testimony in denying a claim for disability benefits was proper because the claimant suffered from both exertional and nonexertional limits, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled.