It’s a Brain Thing….. 11/04 by Brain Injury Radio | Social Networking Podcasts

It’s a Brain Thing….. 11/04 by Brain Injury Radio | Social Networking Podcasts

How to Accelerate Rare Disease Research? Write a Dictionary - Bio-IT World

How to Accelerate Rare Disease Research? Write a Dictionary - Bio-IT World

Stroke Awareness - Mayo Clinic

http://www.youtube.com/v/eI0B_MiICNM?version=3&autohide=1&autoplay=1&showinfo=1&attribution_tag=rUCRNzlvDdoxkFKOnTTHaQ&autohide=1&feature=share

First Look - Stanford Medicine X Sarah Kucharski ePatient Ignite

FMD Chat Together 2013

FMD Chat Together 2013 — Sharing is Caring

FMD Chat Together 2013 — Sharing is Caring Posted: 12 Sep 2013 11:21 PM PDT In an effort to reach out to the fibromuscular dysplasia community, FMD Chat will be making much of its annual retreat available via the web. While no livestream can replace the experience of meeting other FMD patients and caregivers face-to-face, FMD Chat realizes that many patients are unable to travel due to physical or financial constraints. Patients and others are encouraged to tune in to FMD Chat's YouTube channel from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 14 as presentations are streamed live. On Twitter, follow @FMDChat or the #FMDaware hashtag. Updates also will be posted to FMD Chat's Facebook page. Need some help getting connected? Check out the following resources! YouTube What is YouTube? Twitter Tutorials How To Sign Up How To Tweet, Reply, Follow, Etc How to Engage Facebook What is Facebook? When is it Where I am?  Time Zone Converter

Social SecurityDisability Benefits for Fibromuscular Dysplasia

Guest Blogger: Ram Meyyappan

 Senior Editor and writer for Social Security Disability Help

Social Security Disability Benefits for Fibromuscular Dysplasia

If you are suffering from fibromuscular dysplasia, the condition may have left you unable to work. Without the ability to work, you are left without an income and insurance. The lack of income and mounting medical bills can quickly spiral out of control. Fortunately, in many cases, Social Security Disability benefits can help. 

Qualifying for Social Security Disability Benefits with Fibromuscular Dysplasia

When you apply for Social Security Disability benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will compare your condition to a listing of conditions known as the Social Security Blue Book (http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/). The Blue Book contains a listing of all of the conditions that could possibly qualify an individual for Social Security Disability benefits, along with the criteria that must be met in order to be approved for benefits under each listing.

Unfortunately fibromuscular dysplasia is not listed in the SSA's Blue Book. If you have an associated condition that is listed in the Blue Book, however, such as aneurysms or dissections, you may be able to qualify under those Blue Book listings. 

For those who are suffering from aneurysms, you could apply for benefits under Section 4.10 of the Blue Book. According to this listing, in order to qualify for benefits you must be able to prove that:

• You suffer from an aneurysm of aorta or major branches due to any cause
• The aneurysm has been demonstrated by medically acceptable imaging
• The aneurysm is with dissection and not controlled by prescribed treatment

If you do not have any conditions that are listed in the Blue Book, you may still qualify for Social Security Disability benefits under a vocational allowance. In order to do this, you must prove to the SSA that you are unable to perform any type of work activity that you are qualified for due to your disabling condition. For example, if you have only worked in a warehouse and your doctor has told you that you must avoid lifting and strenuous activity, which can strain the arteries, a written statement from your treating physician stating that you cannot continue to work due to your limitations may help support your Social Security Disability claim. This will affect the SSA's residual functional capacity assessment of your condition.

Technical Requirements for Social Security Disability Benefits

In addition to proving that you are disabled according to the SSA's guidelines, you must also meet technical requirements to be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits. There are two different disability programs available from the SSA and both have their own technical requirements.

Qualifying for SSDI

In order to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you must have earned enough work credits through your previous work history. If you are age 31 or older, you must have 20 work credits in order to qualify for SSDI benefits. If you are under the age of 31, you must have worked half of the years since turning age 21. For example, if you are 27, you must have worked for three of the past six years to qualify for SSDI benefits.

Qualifying for SSI

If you do not have enough work credits to qualify for SSDI benefits, you may be able to qualify for SSI (Supplemental Security Income) benefits. SSI is a needs-based program. It is intended for low-income individuals and families. In order to qualify for SSI benefits, your monthly income cannot exceed $710 as an individual or $1,060 as a couple. Your household assets must also not exceed $2,000 as an individual or $3,000 as a couple. 

Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits

You can apply for Social Security Disability benefits online (http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pgm/disability.htm) or in person at your local Social Security office. If you are applying in person, make sure that you bring copies of medical records that prove that your condition meets a Blue Book listing, as mentioned above, or that you are unable to perform any type of work activity whatsoever. You will also be asked to fill out a number of forms. Make sure you fill out each form in its entirety and answer the questions with as much detail as possible so the SSA understands how your condition prevents you from performing any type of work activity. If you are applying online, you will be provided with a cover sheet that will allow you to fax your medical documentation in. You will receive a decision regarding your disability claim within three to six months of the date of your application. 

Article by Ram Meyyappan
Social Security Disability Help
www.disability-benefits-help.org/blog