Articles
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How Much Does Your Firm Charge?
Our fees are set by federal law and paid by the Social Security Administration out of any award of back benefits.
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Appealing A Denial
The Social Security Administration denies a large number of initial claims, but even if your claim is denied, there is still hope. There are ways to overcome a Social Security denial.
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Why Was My Initial Claim Denied?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has strict rules about the information that must be included on a benefits claim.
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When To Seek An Attorney’s Help
To maximize the chances of success, you should work with an experienced lawyer at the start of the Social Security application process. Chihak & Associates has helped thousands of people obtain Social Security Disability (SSD) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
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Should I Try To Work?
At Chihak & Associates, we are often asked by people with disabilities if they should try to work.
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What You Should Know Before You Apply For Social Security Disability Benefits
The Social Security Administration answers frequently asked questions about Social Security Disability benefits.
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Centers For Disease Control And Prevention: Disability
The CDC and the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities (OMHD) provide this informative Web page with disability demographics and resources for people with disabilities.
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Medline Plus: Disabilities
The US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health provide health information and numerous other resources for people with disabilities.
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Disability Benefits
Look here for useful information from the Social Security Administration (SSA) about Social Security Disability benefits and how to apply for them.
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Social Security Online
The US Social Security Administration (SSA) is dedicated to protecting individuals’ economic security through programs including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
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Ankylosing Spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis is a condition the affects the lower back and hips. The disease begins as inflammation in those areas. The body tries to deal with the inflammation by creating new bone. The bone grows until it fuses the vertebrae in the lower back together. The fused vertebrae cannot move, which means that you cannot… Read more »
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Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is a condition where a person’s immune system attacks their nerves.
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Back Pain
One of the most common conditions that we see here is back pain.
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Depression
When most people think of depression, they think of things such as feeling discouraged after losing a job or sad after someone dies.
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Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, was officially recognized as a medical condition by the American Psychiatric Association in 1980.
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Diabetes
Diabetes is a fairly common condition, affecting 25.8 million Americans (8.3% of Americans).
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Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a condition where you repeatedly stop breathing during sleep.
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Hypertension, or High Blood Pressure
Hypertension is a condition when the force with which your blood is being pumped is so high that it puts dangerous strain on your blood vessels and heart.
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Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder, which is also known as manic depressive illness, is a mental condition where a person experiences strong depressive (“down”) and manic (“up”) episodes.
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Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a liver disease, caused by a virus spread by exposure to infected blood.
Joanne
Joanne filed a claim for SSDI on April 11, 2014. Joanne’s claim was initially denied initially on August 20, 2014, and again upon reconsideration on October 24, 201. Joanne appeared at a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge in Seattle, Washington on September 22, 2015. Joanne was represented by John Chihak. A vocational expert appeared… Read more »