Martin, Jones, & Piemonte - Attorneys at Law

  Myth 4: People who are approved for VA disability, Medicare, or Medicaid automatically receive disability benefits.     I wish this myth were true.  Often times VA disability, Medicare, or Medicaid will be approved before Social Security disability. While it helps these people continue to receive medical treatment, it does nothing to relieve their primary stress, the inability to earn an income. All four basically use the same definition of “disability”  and consider the same things.   But Social Security is not required to follow the decisions of the VA, Medicare, or Medicaid even though the same definition and considerations are used. In fact, in 2017 Social Security changed their rules to say that their judges do not have to give any reasoning for not following a finding of disabled by the VA, Medicare, or Medicaid. The good news is that Medicare and Medicaid are required to grant benefits if Social Security finds you disabled and the VA must take that finding in to consideration

  Myth 3: People usually wait 2 years or more to win their disability cases.   Sadly, this one is true. I cannot imagine surviving 2 years or more without an income and without the ability to work. But there are ways to get Social Security’s attention earlier in your case. First, be sure to ask your doctors to respond as quickly as possible when they get a request for your records from Social Security. And second, ask your doctors to write a letter to Social Security explaining what you can and cannot do and what are the reasons for their opinion of your limitations. The sooner Social Security gets this information the better your chances to get a quicker favorable decision on your case.   George C Piemonte Martin, Jones, & Piemonte Board Certified Specialist in Social Security Disability Law Admitted to the US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims NOSSCR Vice President Website:  www.mjpdisability.com