Since the economic recession hit the United States in 2007, an additional 1.8 million individuals have applied for and received Social Security Disability Insurance.

Data from the Social Security Administration shows that in 2007 there were 7.1 million people in the U.S. earning disability checks. Five years later, in 2012, the number of citizens receiving these checks jumped to 8.7 million. This 22 percent increase reflects the impact the unemployment rate has had on the Social Security Disability program.

Researchers have found that 99 percent of participants who enter the disability program remain in the program until they reach the age of retirement, in which the benefits no longer apply.

If you have questions regarding the filing process for Social Security Disability Insurance, please contact the Philadelphia SSDI lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. by calling 215-238-1130 today.

The Social Security Administration is currently trying to make the disability process a shorter one for veterans, wounded warriors, and service members.

The SSA has partnered with the Department of Defense in order to make it easier to obtain medical records for these individuals who are applying for disability benefits. All of the medical requests would be received electronically, thus making it more efficient to make decisions in regards to these benefits.

This new process has several benefits associated with it. These benefits can include a reduced amount of time for disability decisions, and a faster delivery system for medical records. The program is in it’s first phase as a national project.

If you have questions regarding Social Security disability benefits, please contact the Philadelphia Social Security Disability Insurance lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. by calling 215-238-1130 today.

The Social Security trust fund is expected to run out in 2033, an estimate that is three years shorter than the last report regarding the topic.

According to the annual report, the sluggish economy and increasing energy prices are both contributing factors to the financial demise of the Social Security trust fund. The lifespan of Social Security has been decreased by three years, according to trustees associated with the fund.

The Medicare fund lifespan was the same as the previous year, and will not make it past 2024. This estimate is largely due to a cut that was enabled by Congress last year in association with Medicare spending. Trustees are urging government officials to take action on this topic before it gets out of hand.

If you have questions regarding Social Security disability payments, please contact the Philadelphia Social Security Disability Insurance lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. by calling 215-238-1130 today.

A recent study reveals that the unemployment rate for people with disabilities is at an alarmingly high rate, when compared to the unemployment rate of individuals in the United States who are not disabled.

The data used in the study was gathered from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In the first quarter of 2012, disabled individuals without jobs reached 14.6 percent in the United States, while the average unemployment rate in the same quarter was at 8.4 percent. These rates have increased from the previous quarter, the fourth quarter of 2011, when the rate for disabled individuals was at 13.2 percent, and the normal rate of unemployment hit 8.1 percent.

During the increase in 2012, 724,746 disabled individuals applied for Social Security Disability benefits. This amount was larger than the 2011 fourth quarter where 660,712 people filed the paperwork to receive the disability benefits.

If you have questions regarding the filing process for Social Security Disability benefits, please contact the Philadelphia Social Security Disability Insurance lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. by calling 215-238-1130 today.

The fast-track program is a program that was implemented by the Social Security Administration in order for individuals suffering from serious disabilities to be able to go through the filing process at a faster rate so that they could potentially receive disability benefits in a more timely manner.

The SSA recently announced that they will be including the addition of 52 new conditions to the Compassionate Allowances program. Individuals who are able to meet the requirements of the disabilities that are included on this list are able to receive disability benefits with less hassle, in most instances.

The new disability additions include neurological disorders, disorders in children, and several cancers. These conditions will be effectively added to the list in August.

If you have questions regarding the filing process for Social Security disability insurance, please contact the Philadelphia Social Security Disability Insurance lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. by calling 215-238-1130 today.

A 55-year-old Bend, Oregon man was just convicted of deceiving the Social Security Administration. He was accused of defrauding the SSA by collecting disability benefits for 17 years, due to the fact that he earned a steady income throughout that time.

In 1988, the man was involved in a plane accident that burned more than 70 percent of his body. He was granted Social Security disability benefits. Shortly after his accident, he returned to work as a real estate agent, but did not notify the SSA. He continued receiving these payments, while working at two separate jobs and buying lucrative items.

The SSA reviewed his file in 2010, but the man left out his income statements and employment records, and therefore the SSA was not aware of his wealth or earnings. They ended up uncovering his secret, and he was arrested for his crimes. The judge in his case sentenced him to six months of home confinement, five years of probation, and he was also ordered to complete 100 community service hours.

Social Security disability payments are designed to aid individuals who are not able to work due to injuries or illnesses. If you have questions regarding Social Security disability benefits, please contact the Philadelphia Social Security Disability Insurance lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. by calling 215-238-1130 today.

This year, the Social Security Administration has made plans to update the Listing of Impairments. This list enables an individual to earn Social Security Disability benefits, if their condition is present.

The SSA is looking for public opinion on the addition of musculoskeletal disorders to the list. Musculoskeletal disorders deal with the joints, muscles, and nerves in one’s body. These areas can be inflamed and can lead to the development of chronic arthritis. When musculoskeletal disorders reach a certain point, affected individuals may no longer be able to work.

The Listing of Impairments provides criteria that people applying for disability benefits need to meet. If an individual is able to prove that their condition is part of the list, then they are deemed disabled and are eligible to receive Social Security Disability payments.

If you have questions regarding Social Security Disability benefits, please contact the Philadelphia Social Security Disability Insurance lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. by calling 215-238-1130 today.

The distribution of Social Security Disability benefits is shifting towards electronic payments, and by March 2013, no more paper checks will be sent out to recipients.

The U.S. Treasury Department has already put the electronic system in place with incoming recipients of Social Security Disability benefits, and retirement benefits who became eligible within the last year. Individuals who still receive the paper checks will have the options of linking a personal bank account or a credit card to these payments before the deadline.

In the next decade, this transition is estimated to save the Social Security Administration roughly $1 billion.

If you have questions regarding the process of filing for Social Security Disability, please contact the Philadelphia Social Security Disability Insurance lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. by calling 215-238-1130 today.

The Social Security Administration released data that nearly three out of every 10 workers suffer some sort of disability during their time in the workforce. This is why it is important to know if you are covered by disability insurance or not.

Many people do not consider the factors that could cause them to suffer an injury and it is important to make sure that you cover all of your bases before you are in a difficult situation.

For example, speak to your employer about disability benefits and see if it is a long-term disability program or not. Also, calculate your living expenses in order to determine how much money must be paid each month and how long your savings could cover this.

If you have become disabled and can not work, you may need disability benefits through the Social Security program. Contact the Philadelphia Social Security Disability lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C., by calling 610-667-7511 today.

A branch of the Social Security Administration  in Louisville may be consolidated with a nearby office in the downtown area.

Originally, officials with the case stated that the office would close in May 2013, but it was recently discussed in a telephone interview that the closure will be put on hold.

Nearly a dozen offices across the nation have been closed or consolidated within the past year mainly due to constraints with the budget. It has been said that 15 union workers would not be losing their jobs and they would be transferred to the downtown office as a part of the consolidation.

Many think that the closure of the office will be a disservice to the those in the community because it will make the process of discussing benefits much more inconvenient.

If you or a loved one are having trouble filing for Social Security benefits, you need representation on your side at this time. Contact the Philadelphia Social Security Disability Insurance lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C., in order to discuss the process or for initial filing assistance.