General

When you go to a hearing at Social Security the main question is can you do a job. The judge approaches this question is several steps. The first is whether you can do your old job. If you cannot do the old job, then he asks whether you can do any job. If you can do some job and you are under 50 years of age it means you are not disabled. If you are 50 years of age or older, then depending on the type of job you can do you could still be found disabled.

It is important that the judge understand exactly what your former job required. What lifting was required, what walking, sitting, standing was required. The requirements may put it out your reach based on your current limitations. It also important that your current limitations are defined. In other words will your doctor describe your limitations. Have you had a recent functional capacity evaluation? Are your complaints documented? Such as emergency room visits, witnesses to seizures, symptoms reported in doctors’ notes.

The vocational expert will respond to the judges questions and provide potential jobs you could perform based on your limitations. You must listen to these questions carefully and ask the vocational expert questions that will take into account your limitations as you experience them.

For those without health insurance everything is a lot more difficult. Fortunately, some central Illinois communities have free health clinics.

In Bloomington, BroMenn Family Health Clinic and the Community Health Clinic fill the gap for the uninsured and underinsured.
In Peoria, Heartland Community Health Clinic provides healthcare for people without insurance.
In Champaign, there was a recent front page article in the News Gazette highlighting the Champaign County Christian Health Center. A group of local churches and businesses have put the clinic together for those without insurance.

If anyone else knows of other resources please let me know.

For those without Health insurance everything is a lot more difficult. Fortunately some Central Illinois communities are providing help for those in need.

In Bloomington, BroMenn Family Health Clinic and the Community Health Clinic help those who are uninsured or underinsured.
In Peoria, Heartland Community Health Clinic is available.
In Champaign, a recent News Gazette article highlights the Champaign County Christian Health Center. A group of local churches with help from businesses provides health care for those who have no insurance.

If any one else knows of other resources in Central Illinois please let me know.

McLean County (Bloomington, Illinois area) has started a prescription discount drug program. It saves on average 20% off the retail price. It targets the uninsured and underinsured.
You can call and request your free card at 877-321-2652 or go to https://naco.advancerx.com.

If you live in Peoria, Springfield or Champaign call the County health department because many counties are participating in the same discount drug program. County health departments can also provide you medical treatment information if you do not have health insurance.

Workers’ Compensation in Illinois does not pay you for pain and suffering. The legislative compromise years ago was that the injured worker did not have to prove negligence on his employer’s part to recover and in turn the injured worker was not entitled to pain and suffering damages.

The injured worker is entitled to what is called permanent partial disability, defined as a certain number of weeks times 60 percent of your average weekley wage.
You are also entitled to payment of your medical bills and 2/3 of your average weekly wage for the time you are off work.

If you have a Workers’ Compensation case in Central Illinois- Peoria, Bloomington, Springfield or Champaign, call me to discuss what your case may be worth.