Florida Workers' Compensation Lawyer Blog

In 2010, it is estimated that 3.3 millions persons will apply for Social Security Disability. That is an increase of 300,000 applications from 2009. There are many reasons for the spike in applications. The aging of the adult population is one factor. Many observers, including Social Security Disability Attorney Randy Zeldin, Esq., believe that the economic recession is the main cause. According to attorney Randy Zeldin, Esq., of Boca Raton, he has seen a large increase of Social Security applicants, who were pushed out of the tight job market, because their disability made them totally unemployable.

The outcome of the increase of applications, is a huge backlog and a long waiting period. According to the Congressional Research Service, most applicants now wait an average of approximately two years until the claim is processed and appealed. Attorney Randy Zeldin, Esq., with offices in Boca Raton, Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, hopes that the U.S. Congress will finally authorize additional monies to the beleagured Social Security Administration

The Social Security Administration has expanded its Compassionate Allowance Initiative, to include early stage Alzheimer's Disease, primary progressive aphasia and mixed dementia. This Initiative is an attempt to streamline the Social Security application process, for diseases and disabilities which generally meet the criteria to receive benefits.

Social Security Disability attorney, Randy Zeldin, Esq., with offices in Boca Raton, Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, applauds the move. It is estimated that there are over 5.3 million Americans with Alzheimer's Disease and most, if not all of these individuals, will eventually quality for Social Security.

Continue reading "Social Security Compassionate Allowances Initiative Is Expanded" »

The Social Security Administration has announced that it will fast-track Alzheimer's disease and 37 other conditions. This will significantly shorten the waiting time for certain seriously ill patients, according to attorney Randy Zeldin. The average waiting time for a Social Security appeal, according to attorney Randy Zeldin, is 440 days. This is much too long for many sick Social Security applicants, in the Boca Raton area.

Social Security Disability Attorney, Randy Zeldin, applauds the decision of the Social Security Administration to obtain medical records electronically from doctors. The process would further pay physicians $15.00 for each request. The Social Security Administration placed notice of this procedure in the recent Federal Register.

"Given the backlog of Social Security Disability Cases," said attorney Zeldin from his Boca Raton office, "all attempts by the government to speed up the process are welcome." Further, attorney Zeldin emphasized that Social Security Disability Applicants from Ft. Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach, could be favorably impacted by speeding up the hearing process.

Boca Raton Social Security Disability Attorney, Randy Zeldin, Esq., is frequently asked about the relationship of VA Benefits to Social Security Disability Benefits. VA Disability compensation is not affected by the receipt of Social Security Disability compensation. That is, receipt of Social Security Disability benefits will not be impacted by the receipt of non-service connected VA Benefits.

Continue reading "Will VA benefits impact Social Security Disability Benefits?" »

Social Security Disability attorney Randy Zeldin, Esq., recommends that the Social Security Administration use it's resources more wisely. Too many applicants do not qualify for disability benefits, for a number of reasons. If Social Security staff were hired and trained to simply screen applications, many would be either dropped or re-framed properly.

Randy Zeldin, Esq., practices Social Security Disability law in Boca Raton, Florida

Between the years 2000-2008, the number of Social Security Disability cases has more than doubled. According to attorney Randy Zeldin, Esq., a Social Security Disability attorney in Boca Raton, some Claimants have waited up to 3 years to have their claim determined. This results in terrible hardship for many person, because they often go without income or medical care while waiting for their appeal to be determined.

Continue reading "Unprecedent Backlog of Social Security Applications" »

Individuals receiving Social Security Disability Benefits are also eligible for Medicare and the new Medicare Part "D." Part D is voluntary, but requires payment of additional premiums, to be used for prescription drugs. The Center for Medicare Services has announced that open enrollment has begun beginning November 15, 2009 until the end of the calendar year.

According to Social Security Disability Attorney Randy Zeldin, Esq., it is important to shop around carefully for Medicare Part "D" premiums. According to Randy Zeldin, Esq., there is a huge variation in the cost of the premiums and the benefits they provide. Social Security Attorney Randy Zeldin, Esq. represents Social Security Disability clients in Palm Beach and Broward Counties.

The severe unemployment in Palm Beach and Broward Counties, has motivated many marginally disabled persons to apply for Social Security Disability Benefits. Some of these individuals were denied unemployment compensation and turned to Social Security instead. According to Social Security Disability Attorney Randy Zeldin, Esq., a disqualification for unemployment benefits has no bearing upon entitlement to Social Security Disability.

Continue reading "Social Security Applications Rise in Recession" »

The workers' compensation and Social Security Disability law office of Randy Zeldin, is pleased to announce that Sangitha Palaniappa has joined the staff. "Sangi" as she is nicknamed, is pursuing studies in political science with the intent to earn a law degree. She brings her expertise to all facets of Randy Zeldin's law practice, which services all of Palm Beach and Broward Counties.

Ms. Palaniappa, is fluent in the Tamil and Spanish languages. She is an expert in Baharatnatyam dance.

Social Security Disability Attorney Randy Zeldin, is pleased to announce that Elizabeth Apana has joined the firm as a legal assistant. Ms. Apana is a graduate of Florida Atlantic University and is developing expertise in medical-legal issues. Her expertise will be an asset to individuals in Boca Raton, Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, seeking to apply for
Social Security Disability Benefits with the law firm of Randy Zeldin.

Over the past year, the number of pending Social Security Disability claims sky-rocketed from 556,000 to over 736,000. This is partly because of the recession, but there is another factor. Many private disability insurers require insured persons to apply for Social Security Disability as a condition of coverage! Sen. Charles Grassley worries that this phenomenon will further spike the number of applicants. Although Pres. Obama has channeled more money to the Social Security Administration, larger structural changes are needed.

According to Social Security Disability Attorney, Randy Zeldin, Esq., attention should be focused on increasing SSA staff and streamlining procedures for processing claims.

Recipients of Social Security Disability are eligible to get monthly payments on a prepaid debit card. The card is intended for Social Security recipients who do not have bank accounts. It is called the Direct Express Debit Master Card, issued by Comerica Bank.

Randy Zeldin, a Social Security Disability attorney with offices in Ft. Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach, urges Social Security Disability recipients to look carefully into this option.

It is possible to check the status of your Social Security Disability application online.
Randy Zeldin, Esq. represents injured persons in Ft. Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach.

There is a 5 month waiting period to receive Social Security Disability benefits, after the effective date of disability. This is often too long a waiting period for severely ill persons. Randy Zeldin, Social Security Disability attorney, represents a lady with terminal brain cancer, who is now going through an unnecessary delay in obtaining medical care. According to Randy Zeldin, an attorney who represents Social Security applicants throughout Palm Beach and Ft. Lauderdale, the law should be revisited by the U.S. Congress.

The law firm of Randy Zeldin, P.A., announces that Ms. Shwetha Gautham has joined the firm as a legal assistant. Ms. Gautham is currently a student at Florida Atlantic University, nearing a completion of her Bachelor of Arts, after which she will enter law school. Her skills add a new dimension to the law offices of Randy Zeldin, P.A., which specializes in workers' compensation; Social Security Disability and bankruptcy law.

Shwetha Gautham is fluent in the Hindi language and is an expert in Bharatnatyam dance.

The Social Security Administration spends over $500 million dollar annually, in order to obtain "paper" medical records. This process requires the applicant to sign a medical release, which is sent over to the treating physician. The entire process causes great expense and delay to needy Social Security applicants, according to attorney Randy Zeldin, Esq. of West Palm Beach and Ft. Lauderdale.

To remedy the situation, Social Security has started a pilot program with the
Cleveland Clinic, to obtain medical records electronically. If successful, this prototype could be a partnership between the private health care industry and Social Security which would streamline the application process.

The State of Florida is facing very high unemployment today and into the foreseeable future. According to statistics from the U.S. Treasury, the Florida Department of Revenue has spent $600 million dollars in unemployment benefits since May 2008. With unemployment in Florida currently impacting over 300,000 persons, the situation is devastating for many working persons. Even worse, unemployment benefits average $300.00 per week, not nearly enough for even subsistence.

According to South Florida workers' compensation attorney Randy Zeldin, with offices in Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, high unemployment historically dampens the willingness of injured workers to fight for workers' compensation benefits. In a bad economy, injured workers are afraid to "rock the boat" with their employers, fearing retaliation or termination from the job. According to Randy Zeldin, this results in many injured workers in Palm Beach and Ft. Lauderdale foregoing workers' compensation benefits or accepting less medical care or benefits than the law allows.

Continue reading "Florida High Unemployment Chills Workers' Compensation Claims" »

Social Security Disability applicants with 25 rare diseases and 25 cancers, will benefit from a new "fast track" application process. Instead of waiting for prolonged periods to obtain administrative action, these applicants will get prompt review by Social Security, through a program known as "Compassionate Allowances." The program has been hailed as a great breakthrough, by the National Organization for Rare Disorders.

Social Security Disability attorney Randy Zeldin, applauds Commissioner of Social Security, Michael Astrue, for instituting the program. According to Randy Zeldin, these claims deserve expedited consideration. "Unfortunately, there are many other deserving Social Security Disability applicants from Ft. Lauderdale to West Palm Beach, who also deserve expedited hearings, said Attorney Randy Zeldin

Across the U.S., 765,000 Americans, including applicants from Boca Raton and Deerfield Beach, are waiting for a Social Security hearing! The outcome is that some applicants literally die before they get benefits. There have been tragic reports of suicide.

According to Boca Raton and Deerfield Beach Social Security Attorney, Randy Zeldin, the terrible backlog is not because of fraud or lack of entitlement for benefits. Instead, it is mostly due to the failure of the U.S. Congress to properly fund the Social Security Administration. Administrative Law Judges and their staff are overwhelmed with cases. Waiting times for hearings in Palm Beach and Broward Counties can be as much as 2 years.

Recently, the Social Security Administration has hired 189 administrative law judges and support staff. The House Ways and Means Committee will be conducting hearings shortly on this important problem.

In Boca Raton, Broward and Palm Beach Counties, waiting time to get a hearing before a Social Security Judge can be over one year, sometimes one and a half years! Some of my Social Security Disability clients in Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach and Delray Beach, continue to wait for hearing dates without benefits. The Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, Michael Astrue told Congress at a hearing in May, that the average wait time nationally is 505 days! The law office of Randy Zeldin has seen homelessness with one of my clients with severe psychiatric illness, while waiting for a hearing date. While my clients wait, the bills can pile up and sometimes their medical conditions worsen.

According to Rep. Kathy Castor, the waiting time for Social Security Disability applicants is the worst in the State of Florida. Rep. Castor is hoping to speed things up for deserving Social Security applicants. She is introducing a bill in the U.S. Congress that would require that a hearing be held between 60 and 75 days after a request. The law would require a decision from a Social Security Judge no more than 15 days after the hearing.

There are many reasons for the backlog. Social Security Judges and staff are simply overwhelmed with cases. Social Security Disability attorney Randy Zeldin believes that the U.S. Congress must approve Rep. Castor's bill and appropriate more money for administrative staff.

Many Social Security Disability recipients in South Florida, Palm Beach and Broward Counties, receive benefits by U.S. "snail" mail or direct deposit. This sometimes results in delays or lost and stolen checks. The U.S. Department of Treasury has a plan to introduce a prepaid debit card for Social Security Disability recipients.

The card will be called the Direct Express credit card. Instead of mailing or direct depositing monthly payments, the U.S. Treasury will automatically load benefits onto a card account designated by the recipient. This will allow Social Security Disability recipients in South Florida to use the card for retail purchases, bank and ATM transactions. Social Security Disability recipients will be allowed one free ATM withdrawal each month, with a low charge of 90 cents for additional withdrawals. The Direct Express card is free to obtain and there is no monthly or annual fee.

The law offices of Randy Zeldin welcomes this introduction by the U.S. Treasury, which will benefit many of my Social Security Disability clients in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Deerfield Beach and Pompano Beach. It will be a huge help to South Florida Social Security Disability recipients who have no bank accounts. To sign up, call the Social Security Administration at 1-877-212-999. Information can also be obtained on the Social Security website.