Those who have carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) understand pain and discomfort. What they typically don’t understand is why they are so often denied Social Security benefits. The Social Security Administration doesn’t count CTS as an impairment listing, which means it is not typically seen as a disabling condition that requires Social Security.
Carpal tunnel syndrome causes a variety of symptoms that make working difficult, including pain, tingling, numbness, and a loss of function in your hands. With how much this condition affects workers, many cannot understand why Social Security is typically withheld from them.
Since CTS isn’t listed as a primary condition that receives Social Security, having another condition in conjunction with the ailment could increase your chances of being awarded benefits. This can happen if a doctor finds that CTS is a symptom of another disease that has an impairment listing, such as:
If you are able to prove that your carpal tunnel syndrome—in combination with the symptoms of another disease you might have—is preventing you from working, you may qualify to receive Social Security benefits.
Navigating through the paperwork and procedures of Social Security is difficult for just about anyone, but particularly someone who has to deal with the stress of living with pain. The Lancaster Social Security Disability attorneys of Schmidt Kramer know that carpal tunnel syndrome can make a variety of activities difficult, particularly work. As a result, we will fight hard in an effort to get you the compensation you deserve.
Contact us to speak with an attorney about your situation. Find out if we can help you, just like we have helped so many others who have been denied Social Security Disability benefits.
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Social Security provides benefit payments to supplement the income of retirees, disabled persons, and families in which a spouse or parent dies. Medicare provides health insurance for people aged 65 and over, as well as some people with disabilities.
Generally, employers are required to withhold Social Security and Medicare taxes from your paycheck in order to pay for these social programs. Employers also are required to match paycheck withholding amounts for Social Security and Medicare. This “match” means your employer pays the same amount you do every pay period for Social Security and Medicare withholding. Taxes withheld from your paycheck may be called “employee withholding” and taxes matched by your employer may be called “company match.”
Social Security tax may be abbreviated on your pay stub as one of the following:
For 2012, the tax rate for employees is 6.2 percent up to maximum taxable earnings of $110,100. Once you reach covered earnings of $110,100, then your payroll department will stop withholding Social Security tax.
Medicare tax may be abbreviated on your pay stub as one of the following:
The Medicare tax rate for employees is 1.45 percent of covered income. There are no income limits on Medicare tax, so all covered income is taxable.
Note that while your employer is required to match the taxes you pay for both Social Security and Medicare, your pay stub may or may not show the employer match.
It is easy to see what you have contributed toward Social Security and Medicare simply by looking at your pay stub. However, to actually apply for Social Security benefits can be much more difficult. If you have been denied Social Security disability benefits or have questions about the application process, please contact a Social Security disability attorney at Schmidt Kramer Injury Lawyers. Call us toll-free at (717) 888-8888 to schedule your free consultation today.
Social Security disability benefits are designed to help you make ends meet when you are completely disabled and unable to work. However, proving that you qualify for Social Security disability benefits can be difficult. You must prove that your back injury is so severe that you are unable to work at all and that your injury is expected to last for a year or more.
Many applications are denied due to a lack of medical evidence. If you file a claim for Social Security disability benefits, you must prove the existence, severity, and duration of your disability or impairment. This may require the following types of information from your current and past doctors:
If your Social Security Disability benefits were denied based on lack of medical evidence, you may need to get additional documentation from your physicians.
You may not know all of the information or documentation that you need to file an adequate Social Security Disability claim. The agent handling your case may think he has all the information you intended to submit—he may not contact you to let you know that you need more information. If this happens, your application may be denied, and you will need to submit the additional information as part of an appeal.
Your Social Security Disability claim may have been denied for any number of reasons. It could be a simple administrative error, lack of medical evidence, or failing to show how your disability affects your daily life and your ability to work. Whatever the reason, you do not have to accept the first answer as the final answer. Instead, enlist the services of a Harrisburg Social Security Disability lawyer from our firm to help you obtain the benefits you deserve and need.
Are you ready to learn more? Download a free copy of our important report, Your Guide to the Social Security Appeals Process, to you get the answers you need. Or if you prefer to talk to someone right away, contact our office using our live chat.
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