Social Security Disability Benefits Explained During Thyroid Awareness Month

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Allsup - SSDI Benefits

“Examples of thyroid diseases that can cause severe impairments to qualify a person for SSDI benefits include hyperthyroidism, parathyroidism and thyroid cancer.” – Ed Swierczek, Allsup

Belleville, IL (PRWEB) January 16, 2014

About 15 million people have thyroid diseases in the U.S., while another 15 million have yet to be diagnosed. These numbers highlight the importance of education during Thyroid Awareness Month in January, according to Allsup, which has helped hundreds of thousands of people receive their Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Allsup is joining other organizations, such as the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, in bringing awareness to these disorders.

“Many thyroid conditions are treatable, but others may be severely debilitating because of the effects on the heart, the kidney, musculoskeletal system and other functions of the body,” explained Ed Swierczek, senior claimant representative of Allsup.

“Examples of thyroid diseases that can cause severe impairments to qualify a person for SSDI benefits include hyperthyroidism, parathyroidism and thyroid cancer,” Swierczek said.

Treatments have improved for many thyroid disorders. For example, thyroid cancer has a lower fatality rate than most cancers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Thyroid cancer is more likely to happen in women and for younger adults up to about age 55. Many conditions are detectable through a blood test, and a history of thyroid disease in the family may be an indicator for someone experiencing symptoms.

“Thyroid cancer is an example of a condition where complications from treatment may be debilitating enough to seek Social Security disability benefits,” Swierczek explained. Fatigue and side effects from radiation therapy and chemotherapy may be disabling and may lead someone to stop working for a long period of time.

To qualify for SSDI benefits, an applicant must not be able to perform any substantial gainful activity because of a severe disability that is expected to last 12 months or longer or is terminal. Individuals must have paid FICA taxes to be eligible. They also must be under full retirement age (65-67). SSDI is a federally mandated disability insurance program overseen by the SSA. It operates separately from the retirement and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs.

Read more about specific diseases and seeking Social Security Disability Insurance benefits.

To answer questions about eligibility for SSDI benefits, contact an Allsup SSDI specialist for a free evaluation at (800) 678-3276.

ABOUT ALLSUP
Allsup is a nationwide provider of Social Security disability, veterans disability appeal, Medicare and Medicare Secondary Payer compliance services for individuals, employers and insurance carriers. Allsup professionals deliver specialized services supporting people with disabilities and seniors so they may lead lives that are as financially secure and as healthy as possible. Founded in 1984, the company is based in Belleville, Ill., near St. Louis. For more information, go to Allsup.com or visit Allsup on Facebook at Facebook.com/Allsupinc.

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