| Payment for Representation of a Social Security Claimant |
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| A social security claimant may choose to be represented by a third party in his dealings with the Social Security Administration (SSA). If the third party accepts the role of "representative" on behalf of the claimant, he is prohibited from charging the claimant a fee without prior authorization from the SSA. This holds true even if the claim is denied. To obtain approval from the SSA, the representative must use either of two fee authorization processes. More... |
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| Social Security Disability Benefits Evaluation for Disabled Widows and Widowers and Surviving Divorced Spouses |
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| Social security disability is open to disabled widows and widowers as well as surviving divorced spouses of wage earners who died fully insured under the terms of the Social Security Act. Determining the eligibility of these individuals is a complex matter and requires the consideration of a multitude of factors. More... |
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| Consultative Examinations, Generally |
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| Consultative examinations (CE) of a social security claimant are used by the Social Security Administration (SSA) when the claimant's medical evidence is insufficient to determine the claimant's disability, or lack thereof. Although the claimant's treating physician is the preferred source of medical evidence, there are instances where a medical examination from an independent source is necessary. These include situations where the treating physician is unwilling to perform the examination, there are inconsistencies in the claimant's file that cannot be resolved by consulting with the treating physician, the claimant himself prefers an examination by a source other than his treating physician with good reason, or prior experience in dealing with the treating physician indicates that he may be unable to effectively provide the necessary service. More... |
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| Employee Detours and Deviations From Business Trip |
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| Employees may be called upon by their employer to travel for a business purpose. Such travel is generally considered to be in the course of employment and, if injured, the employee will be entitled to workers' compensation benefits. However, if the employee deviates from the business trip route for a personal reason, he will not be covered by workers' compensation until he returns to the business trip route. Notably, if the deviation is basically inconsequential, the employee may still recover benefits if injured on the minor detour. More... |
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| Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act |
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| The Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 provides compensation and the payment of medical expenses for employees, former employees, or survivors of deceased employees of the Department of Energy (DOE). The Act was created in recognition of the fact that there was a lack of uniformity in providing adequate compensation for the occupational illnesses noted below among state workers' compensation programs. The amount of compensation and eligibility for benefits turns on the status of the individual's work and the nature of the illness. More... |
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