Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Social Security Disability

Dirk May Help, Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney, Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer, In the news, Social Security, Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income

Some people with conditions such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome find it difficult to win their Social Security Disability case.

Part of the problem is that the Judges like clear, easily diagnosed, and treatable conditions.

This is certainly not the situation with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

These conditions are misunderstood and some Social Security Judges like to characterize those who suffer with them as lazy, unwilling to work with a little pain and fatigue, and mentally impaired complainers to a certain extent.

Some new medical news may help those with chronic fatigue syndrome.

A group of doctors has issued a report detailing and renaming chronic fatigue. It has been renamed as Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease or SEID.

They estimate 860,000 to 2.5 million suffer from SEID.

The new definition for children and adults focuses on profound fatigue lasting at least 6 months, total exhaustion after minimal physical or mental exertion, unrefreshing sleep, and brain fog or cognitive impairment.

There is no definitive test for the diagnosis of SEID, however, the new definition provides a short list of symptoms to observe and this should be helpful for Social Security Disability hearings.

If you suffer from SEID you should make your doctor aware of this new report.

Hopefully it will open eyes in the medical community and in the circle of Social Security Disability Judges.

Questions about your Social Security Disability case? Feel free to contact Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer Dirk May with Williams and Swee at 309-827-4371.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse will Kill Your Social Security Disability Case

Dirk May Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney, Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer, Social Security, Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income

Disability cases are becoming much more difficult to win.

One sure way to ruin your case is to use street drugs, smoke marijuana or drink alcohol to excess.

Those people who tell you that drug users and alcoholics can get Social Security Disability do not know what they are talking about.

Social Security rules are written to make sure that drug abusers and alcoholics will not win.

Sure you can win if you are on your death bed from alcohol and drug abuse, but you will be able to get your benefits for long because they stop when you die.

You can be sure that your medical providers will put it in your records when you use street drugs or smell of alcohol at your doctor’s appointment.

I have had some clients tell me that the doctor tells them that marijuana will help their condition. The Administrative Law Judge will never believe this story.

Some others have told me that they are going to get a medical marijuana card. They are not available in Illinois yet, and only a few illnesses qualify for medical marijuana.

Do yourself a favor and quit the drugs and alcohol if you truly need and want Social Security Disability.

If you cannot quit, then get into treatment and make sure that you attend AA or NA meetings.

Otherwise you are wasting your time applying for disability.

Questions about your disability case? Feel free to contact Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney Dirk May with Williams and Swee at 309-827-4371.

Another Reason to See A Social Security Disability Lawyer Right Away

Dirk May Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney, Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer, Social Security, Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income

There a number of reasons to see a Social Security Disability Lawyer immediately to help you with your case.

This post will address questions Social Security asks you at the beginning of your case.

Recently, I came across a case where the applicant did not answer the questions completely and accurately.
This raised serious problems during her hearing before the Administrative Law Judge.

Anything you do whether it be answers to online Social Security forms, telephone interviews with Social Security personnel, completing forms Social Security mails to you, can and will often be used to question you at your disability hearing.

You must answer these questions accurately, truthfully, and with Social Security rules in mind.

You may think your answers are not important, but they can make the difference between winning and losing your case.

Social Security rules are specific and complicated at times.

Past relevant work, which is work within the last 15 years, may be very important to the outcome of your case. Daily activities may be very important to your case.

You should speak with an experienced Social Security Disability attorney before you file your application to make sure that you do not make any mistakes that may damage your case.

The advantage of using a lawyer is that you do not have to pay them unless you win and the attorney fees are limited by Federal law to 25 percent of back benefits or $6000, whichever amount is lower.

It does not make sense to represent yourself is such an important matter as Social Security Disability.

Questions about your disability case? Feel free to contact Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney Dirk May with Williams and Swee at 309-827-4371.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Social Security Disability

Dirk May Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney, Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer, Social Security, Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income

It is difficult to win Chronic Fatigue Syndrome cases under Social Security Disability rules.

I believe it is because that there is no specific explanation or reason for Chronic Fatigue and no test that defines it, and this creates suspicion among Social Security employees.

Symptoms may include fatigue, loss of memory, enlarged lymph nodes, muscle or joint pain, unrefreshing sleep, headaches, extreme exhaustion after activity.

Causes are thought to include viral infections, immune system problems, hormonal imbalance problems.

The medical testing will be conducted to rule out other diagnoses.

Treatment may include medications that address depression and better sleep, and physical therapy and mental health counseling.

In order to convince Social Security that you are disabled you will need to have a doctor who is willing to document all the tests and exams that she used to confirm her diagnosis.

Your doctor will also have to explain the severity of your condition including how much time during the day you will be able to stay on task for your daily activities.

You should keep a diary explaining how you Chronic Fatigue affects you each day.

If you can find a specialist in Chronic Fatigue or a clinic who does research regarding Chronic Fatigue so much the better.

The idea is to support your testimony and take Chronic Fatigue out of the category of a condition that is not supported scientifically or is a condition that is used by someone who does not want to work. Some Social Security Disability Judges think this way so you must address it head on.

Questions about your Social Security Disability case? Feel free to contact Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney Dirk May with Williams and Swee at 309-827-4371.

Is It Too Late to Get a Social Security Disability Lawyer?

Dirk May Help, Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney, Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer, Social Security, Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income, Your questions

It is always a good idea to get your attorney involved in the Social Security Disability application process as soon as possible.

This gives you an idea of what Social Security is looking for, and what you will need to do to win your case.

However, there is not a point when using a lawyer is no longer helpful.

For instance, if you are denied you can hire a lawyer to help you appeal.

Even at the hearing the Administrative Law Judge is supposed to ask you if you want a lawyer.

If you tell the Judge “Yes”, then the Judge will stop the hearing and reschedule it to allow you to get a lawyer.

Some people get a lawyer after they have been denied at the hearing, in order to appeal to the Appeals Council.

This makes it difficult to find a lawyer because all the evidence has been entered and you are limited in what you can do and argue as a result.

The ideal situation is to go to an experienced Social Security Disability lawyer and get immediate assistance with filing your application, completing the questionnaires from Social Security, appealing promptly, and preparing for the hearing questions. This gives you the best shot at winning.

There are no attorney fees unless you win and you have back benefits awarded so this makes it much easier to get a lawyer to help you.

Questions about Social Security Disability? Feel free to contact Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer Dirk May with Williams and Swee at 309-827-4371.