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Attorney Shawn Taylor

Benefit applications drop in West Virginia

by | Jun 26, 2018 | Social Security Disability |

According to a recently released report, the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Funds are now expected to run out in 2032 instead of 2028. This is because applications for benefits dropped by 1.5 million in 2017, and it is believed that the economic upturn is partially responsible for that. A stronger economy means more job opportunities for those who may not be able to do manual labor or other physically strenuous tasks.

Furthermore, the odds of getting an application for benefits approved has gone down in recent years. This is because judges have been trained to look for claims that aim to take advantage of the system. While some believe that this change goes too far, others believe that the system was permitting too many people access to benefits who shouldn’t have qualified for them. Also, as the population ages, individuals may qualify for Medicare or Social Security benefits to help cover their health care needs.

If a person is unable to work for an extended period of time, they could qualify for disability benefits. In some cases, it takes multiple application attempts to obtain money to pay medical bills or to make up for lost wages. An attorney may be able to help a person who needs assistance by sending documents in on time or providing sufficient information to have an application approved.

It may be necessary to see a judge to have a request for benefits granted. Having an attorney at the hearing may be helpful for a variety of reasons. For instance, legal counsel could ask that a decision be made in an expedited fashion after a hearing. Counsel may also help prepare an individual to answer questions asked at the disability benefits hearing.