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Marc Whitehead & Associates - Aug/Sept 2021
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RECOMMEND FLIP-BOOKS
Aug/Sept 2021
DISABILITY DIGEST
888-497-9061 DisabilityDenials.com Marc Whitehead & Associates Attorneys at Law, LLP
Understanding the Arbitrary Timeline After Social Security Disability Benefits Approval WhyWeWant to ‘Stop theWait’
A NATIONAL DISABILITY LAW FIRM • SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY CLAIMS
When one of our clients is approved for Social Security disability benefits, regardless if they are full or partial, our entire staff is elated. We know these benefits can be life-changing for the people we serve. To have the courts validate that fact can be extremely reassuring for our clients and a welcome relief to their anxiety and fears. Yet approval is not the end of this long, tough road. Our clients still have to wade through arbitrary waiting periods that make receiving their first payments a long process. Currently, legislation in the U.S. Congress — the Stop the Wait Act — would bar this unnecessary and harmful waiting period for those granted Social Security disability benefits. As we actively support and push for this legislation to pass, I’d like to walk you through the after-approval process for Social Security disability benefits. This timeline can impact your life in many ways, but clients often don't consider it until after a judge has made their decision. Following a judge’s decision, clients who are awarded benefits receive a notice of award from the Social Security disability benefits payment center. This spells out what the
• LONG-TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE CLAIMS
• VETERANS DISABILITY BENEFITS
• ERISA & EMPLOYEE BENEFIT CLAIMS
• PHARMACEUTICAL & MEDICAL DEVICE LITIGATION
WHY PARTNER WITH US • NO OFFICE VISITS NECESSARY • WE DON’T GET PAID UNLESS YOU DO • WE BUILD THE STRONGEST CASE POSSIBLE FOR A FAVORABLE OUTCOME
client can expect and how much they may be owed in back-pay benefits. These are payments the judge has deemed a client was and now is entitled to prior to their decision. We always recommend that clients read the entirety of their award notice. It can be dry, and frankly, it’s a lot to absorb. But it contains a lot of vital information you will need to know, including how much you can get in future payments, helpful phone numbers for further questions, and an explanation of your eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid.
• WE’LL GATHER ALL EVIDENCE NEEDED
• WE SOLICIT THE OPINIONS OF MEDICAL & VOCATIONAL EXPERTS • WE’LL GIVE YOU A DEDICATED CASE MANAGER TO COORDINATE ALL THE ASPECTS OF YOUR CASE
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It’s Never Too Late Meet Chris Stevenson, a Paralegal Who Followed His Dreams
... continued from Cover
Chris Stevenson earned a degree in computer engineering from Rice University, but as he explains it, he never felt fully fulfilled or invested in a career within that field. Then Chris remembered his grandmother. When she was 72, Chris’ grandmother graduated from law school at Rutgers University. She was
the oldest graduate in the history of the program, fulfilling a lifelong dream. It was a story Chris often thought about, and as he contemplated a career he wasn’t thrilled about, Chris decided to follow in his grandmother’s footsteps — albeit, a few decades sooner than she did.
However, after the judge makes their decision, you will have to wait five months from the day the judge deems you disabled for the benefits to arrive. Let’s say you claim to have become disabled and, therefore, qualified for benefits on Jan. 1, 2019, but the judge doesn’t deem you as disabled or fit enough for benefits until Jan. 1, 2020. That means you would have to wait until June 1, 2020, to receive your benefits. This waiting period can be wiped out if a claimant is found disabled on a date that is at least five months or more before the judge deems them disabled. In the above example, if a judge deems you disabled as of Jan. 1, 2019, and that decision comes on Jan. 1, 2020, then you do not have to wait for benefits. The waiting period has lapsed from the time you are legally considered disabled. But there’s another hitch. After a judge deems you fit to receive these benefits, you must also wait two years — or 24 months — from the date you were considered disabled before receiving health care through Medicare. Just as with the five-month waiting period, there is no sound reason for this timeline. As we continue to push for Stop the Wait to end these unnecessary timelines, my best advice for claimants stuck in this limbo period is to look for city, county, and statewide assistance programs. These offerings can fill the gap until you receive your benefits. And, as always, our team will be right behind you, supporting you in your fight for your benefits. Please don’t hesitate to contact my team today if you have further questions.
HAVE A LAUGH
- Marc Whitehead
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Get a Jump on Winter Blues And Exercise Through the Fall
With a lifelong interest in the law, Chris went back to school to earn his paralegal certification and joined Marc Whitehead & Associates as a Social Security disability paralegal for the past two years. “In a way, it’s sort of like a logic puzzle,” Chris said. “There are rules, and you need to find evidence to support the claim that you’re making … I enjoy trying to find the rule or specification that we can use to our clients’ advantage.” Since joining the firm, Chris has enjoyed continuing to learn about law and feels honored to use his excitement about the law to help clients. As he explains it, he firmly believes the mantra that Marc Whitehead often says: “We’re the good guys.” It’s that spirit that makes Chris proud of the work he does every day. “There’s no question in my mind as to whether the work I do is for the betterment of society,” Chris said. As he continues to learn about law, Chris says he’s still considering law school. For now, he spends his time outside of work with his “COVID-19 pup,” Mac, and visits new restaurants around the Houston area. He’s also a former trombone player who likes to join the marching band at his alma mater, Rice University, when they bring alumni back for performances. We’re proud to work with someone like Chris, who is dedicated to solving our clients’ most pressing needs and problems. Thank you for your commitment to Marc Whitehead & Associates, Chris!
Less sunlight can have a negative impact on your mental well-being, and as you head into the darker, chillier months, worsening weather and shorter days can make staying in shape more of a chore than a joy. But that doesn’t mean you’re powerless. With a few tricks, you can thrive through the cold season. Finding ways to stay active while cooped up inside has never been easier. Thanks to the pandemic, online exercise courses, at-home workouts, and remote Zumba classes grew in popularity and are still going strong. If you embraced these for your summer workouts to avoid the heat, you can continue that routine this fall and winter and keep up your exercise, mixing it up if one course gets stale. Similarly, winter provides a great time to focus on a new type of fitness goal, like building muscle in an indoor facility or taking martial arts classes at the gym. It doesn’t matter what you do; what matters is that you do it. Stay active! While it’s a bummer that you can’t go trail running or biking, any exercise is better than none. And don’t wait to get started: Add that “winter workout” into your weekly routine now. Not only will it help make the transition a little easier when you can’t go for your morning run, but also, if you’re trying a new sport, activity, or exercise, it gives you a buffer in case you decide it’s not for you after all. Don’t let bad weather or fewer daylight hours be an excuse for less exercise. Your brain will thank you, and who knows? You might actually have fun too!
One-PanApple Cider Chicken Ingredients • 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs • 1 tsp salt, divided • 1/2 tsp black pepper, divided
Inspired by WellPlated.com
• 4 tsp olive oil, divided • 3 sweet apples, cut into 1/2-inch slices • 2 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped, plus more for garnish
• 1/2 cup apple cider • 2 tsp Dijon mustard
Directions
1. Sprinkle chicken with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Set aside. 2. In a small bowl, combine apple cider and mustard. Set aside. 3. In a large skillet over medium heat, warm 2 tsp olive oil. When shimmering, add chicken thighs top-side down. Cook for 4 minutes, then flip and cook for 4 more minutes. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil. Wipe the skillet clean. 4. Heat the remaining oil in the skillet, then add sliced apples, remaining salt and pepper, and rosemary. Cook for 5 minutes. 5. Return the chicken to the skillet and add apple cider-mustard mixture. Cook for 5 minutes, then serve sprinkled with rosemary!
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403 Heights Blvd., Houston, TX 77007 888-497-9061 | DisabilityDenials.com A National Disability Law Firm
INSIDE
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What Can You Expect After You’re Approved for Benefits Meet One of Our Dedicated Paralegals! Have a Laugh One-Pan Apple Cider Chicken Get a Jump on Winter Blues With Fall Exercise Our Clients Say It Best
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ANATIONAL DISABILITY LAWFIRM
Social Security Disability Claims | Long-Term Disability Insurance Claims | Veterans Disability Benefits ERISA & Employee Benefit Claims |Pharmaceutical & Medical Device Litigation
A Firm Dedicated To Helping Veterans Win Disability Rights! I'm a veteran who has been out of the military for over 20 years. I kept getting denied service connection for years for disabilities that I got in and because of
my military service. Marc Whitehead & Associates fought to get one of my main disabilities service connected. They reviewed my records. They also researched similar cases like mine to establish the reasoning behind service connection. Most of all, my case manager, Heather West, was always there to help me any way she could. Heather would often research information in her off-time to strengthen my VA case. She is totally awesome! The whole Marc Whitehead & Associates team really cares for their clients. I strongly recommend them to any veteran who feels that they have been unfairly treated in your claims by the VA! What do you have to lose? It's free to talk with them and they only get paid if you get paid. – LB
WHY PARTNERWITHUS?
Office visits are not necessary.
We gather all evidence needed.
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We don’t get paid unless you do.
• We solicit the opinions of medical and vocational experts. • We give you a dedicated case manager to coordinate all the aspects of your case.
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We build the strongest case possible for a favorable outcome.
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