Wilmington Social Security Disability Law Blog

The Internet makes it easier than ever for someone to obtain a wide range of information about individuals. Authorities in North Carolina and elsewhere like that fact. It can make it easier for them to uncover information they can use in their investigations of suspects.

A new rule issued recently by the Social Security Administration has put a lid on that kind of activity when it comes to the judges who handle the agency's appeals of denied Social Security Disability claims. They've been told to stop scouring the Internet for information on claimants when deciding cases.

Most people probably don't associate teaching with being a hazardous job. It certainly wouldn't be considered to carry the same level of threat as firefighting or police work. But a recent report by one Wilmington TV news operation suggests violent clashes with students are not uncommon. In some instances, the injuries are such that teachers are left disabled and cannot work.

Social Security Disability is the government program intended to serve as a safety net for those who have been disabled on the job. Some of the incidents mentioned in the recent report about teacher injuries suggest that there may be cases that could be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits. Consulting an attorney with experience in such matters can help clarify options.

Whether an individual in North Carolina has mental or physical impairments, the Social Security disability system is intended to provide a baseline benefit for survival. Sometimes, those who qualify for disability often need significant medical care and may be eligible for coverage under Medicaid, the government-run health plan for the poor.

Maintaining eligibility for either program isn't always easy and sometimes the rules of the competing programs can actually prove to be a hindrance. Navigating the nuances of dueling requirements of Social Security Disability and Medicaid can be daunting. It may be useful to contact an experienced attorney for help.

So much depends on individuals having an identity and being able to prove who they are. Social Security numbers are perhaps the most important forms of identification used in North Carolina and the rest of the country. Without one, someone desperately in need and entitled to Social Security Disability Benefits can't even start the process of applying for help.

Officials in Durham County are faced with just such a case right now. The Department of Social Services has taken on guardianship of a woman they can't identify. Diagnosed with catatonic schizophrenia, she doesn't communicate much. Officials are now appealing to the public for help with identifying her. They say their hope is to reunite her with family or friends and possibly secure Social Security Supplemental Security Income for her.