Why fewer cases for Alabama? Fourteen states that receive less are home to investigative units. 35951, Albertville, Alabama. After you find a Social Security disability attorney, your lawyer can advise you of your rights and options, help you compile the medical records necessary to support your claim, and file the claim with the appropriate Social Security Administration (SSA) office near Alexander City, Alabama. Federal authorities are tight-lipped about how they go about probing reports of fraud in the system. In an investigation of the Alabama's high rate of federal disability payments, dozens of readers shared personal experiences applying for benefits. What are your fees and costs? New applicants are also more likely to be denied in Alabama than in most other states, cutting down on the possibility of fraud here. During the hearing, the judge may question the applicant, and ask to hear from witnesses and the applicant's doctors. The state sees a higher percentage of people who are physically unable to work than every other state except West Virginia. Your Social Security disability lawyer can submit any additional evidence to the judge before the hearing. Claimants have the right to legal representation during the hearing. Here are a few to get you started: How long have you been in practice?
Then again, an individual receiving benefits isn't getting rich. Two recent Alabama cases involved Social Security Administration employees: - Earlier this year, a 10-count indictment was filed against Alex Jamane Flowers, 33, of Fairfield, involving wire fraud, theft of government property and aggravated identity theft. A card center location offers additional services for your Social Security card including updating your personal information, request a new card, report it lost or stolen or if your employer requests you visit a location. Use the contact form on the profiles to connect with an Alexander City, Alabama attorney for legal advice. Use FindLaw to find a social security disability lawyer near you to help guide you through the claims process and resolve any problems that arise with Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claims and SSDI benefits.
Disability payments and investigative units, by state. To the Social Security Administration, Glenda Reed of Albertville was just another disability recipient. Investigators in recent years have seen different kinds of scams, large and small, where disability fraud was sometimes only one offense. 5 million in December 2013. In 2011, for example, four mentally challenged adults were found chained to a boiler in a Philadelphia basement, and four people were arrested for trying to claim their prisoners' disability checks. States shaded in darker colors receive more federal money for disabled workers, according to December 2013 figures from the Social Security Administration.
As of March 2013, she lived alone and paid $500 a month in rent to her landlord. Albertville, AL, USA|. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is one of the largest of several United States Federal programs with the purpose of providing assistance to persons with disabilities. Phone:||Local Number: 1-800-521-0073 National Toll-Free: 1-800-772-1213 TTY: 1-256-891-8525|. In May, she pleaded guilty to theft of government property and received a sentence of three months in prison, three months in home confinement and three years probation. Some called Social Security disability payments "a big racket, " suggesting the program is rife with fraud. Social Security offices by State. Determine the seriousness of complaints/issues which could range from late bar fees to more serious issues requiring disciplinary action. In any of the following social security offices, you can process your card to receive healthcare. It is always a good idea to research your lawyer prior to hiring. Between restitution, settlements, penalties and projected savings from paying out false claims, the cases added up to about $1. But a federal investigation last year revealed Reed was actually married, and had been living rent-free with her husband, who was employed, since 2000 in a home they shared with her mother. Those who receive benefits are required by law to inform the government any time their health improves, or if they gain employment.
Does the lawyer seem interested in solving your problem? How often do you settle cases out of court? If your claim is denied, your experienced attorney can handle the appeal to make sure you get the benefits you deserve. Head northeast on S Broad St toward E Main St||. An examination by has found a system that isn't set up to focus specifically on fraud in Alabama and an investigative structure has changed little in decades. Are you comfortable telling the lawyer personal information? Alabamians seeking disability benefits for the first time simply find it more difficult here to get approved. In May of this year, LaQuiesha Abercrombie of Birmingham pled guilty to theft of government property and received a six month home confinement sentence after prosecutors said she was concealing income. They can interview the applicant, those who know them or engage in surveillance. If you or someone you know is unable to work because of a long-term disability, a social security disability law office can help. It isn't enough that someone doesn't "appear" disabled. One of the most high-profile cases of disability fraud played out earlier this year in New York City, where authorities in a one-day sweep in January arrested 106 people - 102 disability beneficiaries and four facilitators of a scheme involving retired New York City police and firefighters.
She was also ordered to repay more than $70, 000 to the Social Security Administration, Lynge said. Disability fraud can also come to light during ongoing criminal investigations into other activity. How many cases like mine have you handled? But nationally, investigators over that same time closed more than 6, 000 cases, for a total of $257 million in restitution, settlements, penalties and savings. Can the lawyer estimate the cost of your case? You or your disability attorney can request a Social Security disability hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). In addition to the CDI units looking at fraud, there are 66 offices nationwide with the Inspector General's office, employing 300 investigators. Her case got started when the downtown Birmingham Social Security office suspected she was concealing income in order to receive disability benefits.
The scam, which investigators say bilked more than $30 million out of the government, involved recruiters seeking disability applicants, coaching them on how to act during exams and instructing them on how to fill out their applications. Wednesday 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Cities with Coorperative Disability Investigations units are marked with red dots. This site is not affiliated with the SSA or any other government services. Browse more than one million listings, covering everything from criminal defense to personal injury to estate planning.