Administering Social Security: Challenges Yesterday and Today

This year (2010) marks the 75th year since the passage of the Social Security Act. Through the years, the SSA has come up with innovative and ways to meet the challenges. We don't have enough space on the blog to go over each and every one, so we found a PDF file from the SSA which gets very detailed about each challenge and what process was put into place to overcome the problem. Penned by Carolyn Puckett, "Administering Social Security: Challenges Yesterday and Today," takes a look at how some of the challenges have been met since 1935. The article is a great look back and shows how the SSA has grown to what it is today.

Highlights from the article:

On Technology in the SSA:
In the 1950s, the United States entered the computer age, and SSA once more was a leader in adopting new technology. In 1950, the Bureau installed its first “high-speed electronic calculator” for claims processing (FSA 1950, 32). In July 1955, the Bureau acquired an IBM 705 II Data Processing System for posting earnings, computing benefits, and reinstating incorrectly reported earnings items (SSA 1960c; SSA 1964b; SSA n.d. b). On July 1, 1956, the earnings posting operation changed from an 80-column IBM punched card and the IBM 407 Accounting Machine to electronic data processing equipment which stored information on magnetic tape using a binary code. One reel of magnetic tape could hold the information from almost 32,400 punched cards, and the Summary Card File alone had 120 million records to be converted to tape (SSA 1960c, 20–21).

On Improving Disability Determination:
In September 2003, Commissioner Barnhart announced a Disability Process Improvement project. Changes included accelerating the transition to electronic recordkeeping, with rollout to begin in January 2004; updating the medical listings of definitions of impairments that SSA finds severe enough for a finding of disability; and improving the hearing and appeals processes (SSA 2003, 16). The agency also established a “Quick Disability Determination” process for DDSs to expedite initial determinations for claimants who are clearly disabled.

On Internet Social Security Disability Claims:
SSA also hopes that by providing Internet tools, the public will increasingly be able to help themselves. In December 2008, SSA launched the new version of its online Internet claims process, called iClaim. A marketing campaign starring actress Patty Duke accompanied the launch. The online share of retirement applications increased from 26 percent to 35 percent in less than 1 month, and the online share of disability claims increased from 14 percent to 21 percent. SSA hopes to increase these percentages in 2010 to 38 percent and 25 percent, respectively (Astrue 2009).

Check out the whole article here.

Friday Feed #60

The Largest Hailstones Recorded in the USA
Yep, they are huge.

8 Offbeat Travel Tours
Find out the wackiest ways super-fans are getting a real-life taste of their obsessions. 

Russia in color, a century ago
Boston's Big Picture blog goes back in time.

12 Worst Traffic Jams
And you thought it got bad on 440 in Raleigh.

Triangle group takes snapshot from near space
Local group competes and takes a awesome snapshot along the way.

10 Safety Tips for Going Back to School

It's that time of year again! The school buses are rolling out, the pencils are being sharpened and the young minds are learning. It's school time in North Carolina. Following are 10 steps you can take to ensure your child's school year is a safe and productive one.

1. Teach your children not to talk to, take anything or accept a ride from strangers. Let them know that strangers are people who you do not know well or do not trust.

2. If your child walks to school, try to find a neighbor you trust that also has a child who walks to school. If they are older, they can watch over the child and offer as a positive role model in how to deal with situations which arise in the walk.

3. If your child rides his bike or scooter to school, make sure he or she wears a helmet. Also make sure the helmet meets safety standards. For more on bicycle safety standards, click here.

4. If your child rides the bus, make sure they know not to linger around the front of the bus after they get off. The driver, due to the size of the bus, may not see them if they stop and pick something up. Get off. Be seen. Get to a safe place.

5. Make sure your child knows phone numbers of trusted adults for emergency situations. This includes your cell, home and work phone numbers and anyone else who you feel comfortable with taking care of your child. Also, test them on their home address.

6. If your child walks to school, walk the path with them a few times before you let them go it with their friends. Let them know that it is the path they should take everyday and that they should not wander off to any parks or where there are no people.

7. Inspect the playground equipment at your child's school. Alert the administration if you see anything that looks like it can cause harm to the children while they play.

8. Check out your child's backpack. Is it way too heavy. Help them lighten the load by going through and making sure to leave anything at home or at school which is not necessary for that day. If your child walks to school everyday with a heavy backpack this may cause problems during the school year and in the future.

9. Teach your child the proper rules of the playground. No pushing, shoving, rough-housing, bullying, etc.

10. If you drive your child to school, drop them off as close to the entrance as you can. Make sure to watch them walk inside the building before you leave.

Check out these additional resources on Back-to-School safety:
Safe Kids USA
Scruff McGruff
Children's Safety Network

* Photo courtesy of tyhatch by way of flickr Creative Commons.

7 Frequently Asked Questions About North Carolina Auto Insurance

Q: If I’m traveling to other states will my policy protect me and meet the requirements of liability coverage outside of North Carolina?
Yes, your policy automatically satisfies the minimum requirements of other states while traveling outside of North Carolina.

Q: Does my auto insurance policy also provide me with adequate coverage in Mexico and/or Canada?
Your policy will NOT provide coverage for you in Mexico. You can purchase Mexican liability policies before you cross the border if you feel it necessary. Some insurance companies in states that border Mexico such as Texas, Arizona and California specialize in these policies. When embarking on international travel, always check with the appropriate authorities prior to your departure since regulations and other requirements are subject to change any time and without notice.

Q: I just bought a new car; is it automatically insured and covered under my current policy?
You must notify your insurance provider within thirty (30) days of the purchase or acquisition of your new vehicle. The broadest coverage included within your policy for any listed vehicle will apply to any additional automobile. If you fail to notify your insurance provider within the thirty (30) day period, the new vehicle will not be covered. You must provide your insurer with proper notification of sale or acquisition for automatic coverage to be applied.

Q: I’m in the military and currently stationed in North Carolina. Will my policy still cover me if I’m relocated and stationed in another state?
Your policy will cover you during the coverage period in which you are relocated to another state. When your coverage period ends and it’s time to renew your policy, your provider as well as the state in which you are stationed, may require you to purchase a policy in your new state of residence.

Q: Why am I having trouble getting auto insurance because drivers in my household have bad driving records?
Insurance companies consider bad drivers increased risks. In North Carolina, Liability coverage applies to any family member; family members are considered anyone residing in your household. Therefore, since any family member is considered insured under your policy and anyone driving your insured vehicle with your permission is also considered insured, their bad driving records are factored into the risk calculations during your insurance provider’s underwriting process.

Q: How long does it take for my claim to be settled?
An insurance company has thirty (30) days to pay the claim, deny the claim, make an offer of settlement, or notify and advise you that your claim is still under investigation. Once a claim is settled, loss and claim payments should be delivered within ten (10) business days.

Q: If my claim is denied will I receive an explanation as to why?
Certainly; Insurance companies must provide you with an explanation of why your claim was denied in connection with your auto policy language and/or any law(s) that may be applicable.

Hardison & Cochran Employee Spotlight: Betty Lynne Montgomery

If you have called the offices of Hardison & Associates, chances are you have spoke with Betty Lynne. She is our receptionist, but that hasn’t always been her position within the firm. Betty Lynne began working for Ken 11 years ago as his personal injury paralegal. In the time from her start at Hardison & Associates till now, she has worked in the Dunn, Fayetteville and Raleigh offices.

Betty Lynne and her husband, Jim, reside “out in the country” in Benson, North Carolina. When she’s not greeting clients over the phone or in the Raleigh office lobby, she enjoys traveling to North Myrtle Beach, listening to beach music and dancing. She also enjoys spending time with her three grandchildren; Nelson (7), Lillie (5) and Kaleb(2).

Friday Feed #59

Space Photos This Week: Star Blob, Perseids, More
National Geographic features some of the best of the universe this week.

The 50 Greatest Technological Inventions of the Past 25 Years
The best of the best in the past quarter century.

20 Retro Cereals That Were Awesome
Take a trip back to the breakfast table of yesteryear and remember 20 retro cereals that were awesome.

America's Best Swimming Holes
Summer is coming to an end, but there's still time to get in a swim.

Dreams Make You Smarter, More Creative, Studies Suggest
National Geographic back at it again with studies on dreams.

Southeast Biker Betterment Conference to be Held in North Carolina

If you look below the blog banner above, the symbol beside the YouTube symbol is the logo of a motorcycle organization we partnered up with in 2010 named Road Guardians. The Road Guardians mission is this:

Our Road Guardian program was created as a national branded program designation among motorcyclists that provides recognition and incentives to those who are properly trained, properly licensed. We encourage motorcyclists to be “lifelong learners” by providing resources and opportunity as well.

In March of this year, members of Hardison & Cochran joined the Road Guardians in the first annual National Biker Betterment Conference in Chicago, Illinois. Now the Road Guardians are lining up regional Biker Betterment Conferences and the first one is being held here in North Carolina. The Southeast BBC will be held in Winston-Salem, North Carolina at Smokin' Harley Davidson on November 13th, 2010.

If you would like to sign up for the event, just print out this PDF and follow the instructions to register. More news to come!!!!

Two North Carolina Health Care Systems to Test the North Carolina Health Exchange

In June of 2009, we posted a blog about the Social Security Administration showing benefits to using electronic file transfer to acquire records of those who were attempting to receive benefits. It seems like the electronic files are catching on in the health care world too. In today's online version of the Triangle Business Journal, there is an article about two North Carolina health systems (WakeMed and Moses Cone) testing the new North Carolina Healthcare Exchange. The aim of the NC Healthcare Exchange follows:

The goal of the project is to create a centralized database of patient records that would be accessible by hospitals, physicians groups and other health care providers. Such a system would aim to create a single medical record for each patient – reducing the opportunities for error caused by different sets of medical records being kept by multiple providers for a single patient.

In respects to the people of North Carolina who are seeking Social Security disability benefits, this is good news if it catches on a performs well. One, if not the most, vital part in a SSD claim is your medical records. If you have moved around over time and visited many different health care facilities, and also many different doctors within a facility, this initiative will be able to have a electronic database of everyone you have seen. Simply, it will make things quicker as tests by the SSA in Virginia have proved:

The initial test started with MedVirginia, a medical information exchange serving central Virgina. With this new process in place the Social Security Administration stated that the average waiting time on a decision was cut down from 83 days (roughly 3 months) to 32 days (roughly a month).

Fibromyalgia Community

Fibromyalgia is a very complex condition. It differs from person to person. One person may have trouble sleeping while others get enough sleep, but just feel tired and have "fibro-fog" all day. Even the medical professionals have trouble understanding the effects of fibromyalgia. Many sufferers of the condition may feel like there is no where to turn or no one to talk to about their conditions and what makes them feel better and what worsens the pain. Here is where the Internet can step in and help. The Internet opens the door for a community of people who share a condition or an interest to come together and talk about it. WebMD has a community for people who want to talk about fibromyalgia. If you're the type of person who would rather meet up in person and talk about what helps and what doesn't and offer and hear advice, there are community groups like the Triangle Fibromyalgia Positive Energy Group.

When someone suffers from a condition such as Fibromyalgia, there are groups out there which offer peace of mind. In a world that is connected as today's, there are outlets and people who are in a similar situation. Simply, you're not going through the condition alone, no matter where you live. There are people out there who would love to hear you speak and people you'd love to hear speak.

Friday Feed #58

In Silhouette
Boston.com's Big Picture blog features some awesome photos in silhouette.

Amazing sculptures carved from fruit
Check out some Michelangelos of the Melon.

Lava Fountains Erupting from the Earth's Crust
Amazing pictures and video of the earth erupting.

Top 15 musicians turned politicians
Denver's Metromix takes a look at musicians who got behind the mic for different reasons after their music career.

2010 MDA Camp at Camp Carefree

Today, members of Hardison & Cochran made the trip to Stokesdale, NC to check out the scene at the 2010 MDA Camp. All the kids were in high spirits and having a blast. Fishing. Swimming. Horseback riding. Arts and Crafts. It was tons of fun for all parties involved. Check out some of the pictures below. As always, check out our Facebook page for all the pictures.

Hardison & Cochran Motorcycle Newsletter

Each Tuesday of the past four weeks we have been sending out the Hardison & Cochran weekly Motorcycle E-Newsletter out to folks we've met at events we've attended such as the Freedom Biker Church Open House and the Rocky Mount Harley Davidson Bike Night. Below is a taste of what our newsletter contains each week. If you would like to get this E-Newsletter in your inbox each week, all you have to do is send an e-mail to wsc@lawyernc.com and we'll put you on it. Happy riding!

August 10, 2010

On The Road To Sturgis 2010
Bryan Harley, Cruiser Editor for Motorcycle USA, is taking a journey to Sturgis. Starting in Colorado, he updates with observations and stops along the way. Check out his first article on his ride here and his second article here. Yes, Bryan's last name is Harley. He states that he is no relation, but he does enjoy hitting the open road on Harley-Davidson motorcycles. There may or may not be a reference to a billy goat within these articles. Check it out for yourself.

Weekly Riding Tip
It seems that the older I get, the more people I know who have lower back problems, including myself. Following are a couple of tips that address the lower back. The first may be obvious to most of you, but the second may come as a surprise.

1. If you have a backrest or just a seat with a modest riser in it you should BEND FORWARD BEFORE HITTING A BUMP. Note that this is in addition to putting your weight on your foot pegs. When the rear wheel goes over a bump, your backrest can hit your lower back as if it was a baseball bat if you do not get away from it.

2. Wear a good set of leather chaps! These are constructed in such a way as to provide a sturdy wide leather band covering the lower back. When you are in a sitting position, this wide band of leather provides an amazing amount of lower back support.

Souls of Service LEMC Poker Run (August 14th)
On August 14th the Souls of Service Motorcycle Club will be having a Poker Run to benefit SAFE of Harnett County. Check out the flyer here for all the information. Also, please take a minute to check out the SAFE of Harnett County website to see what the funds will go to.

Clint Eastwood
Is a smooth operator. Check out his classic motorcycle pic here.

5 Links
Viper Motorcycle Company to relocate to Alabama - Market Watch
Day One, Sturgis: The rally begins. - Let's Ride Blog
Rockford, IL Motorcycle Officer Shows Skills - Hardison & Cochran You Tube
Art Deco Henderson Redux - KnuckleBusterInc.
One Loud Motorcycle

Friday Feed #57

22 Celebratory Pies in the Face
Nothing says a good job like a pie in the face.

11 Things You Didn’t Know About Volcanoes
Take a refresher on your volcano knowledge.

9 Impressive Young Record-Breakers
Check out some under 18 record breakers.

Stormy skies
Boston.com's Big Picture blog shows the power of mother nature.

10 Questions About North Carolina Property Damage Answered

The cost of hiring a lawyer to handle your vehicle damage claim is generally not practical. The cost of direct attorney assistance is too high. Even a lawsuit without a lawyer’s assistance may not be a reasonable option. A lawsuit takes time. When your primary objective is to get your car repaired as quickly as possible, the time required for a lawsuit can be counter-productive. We hope these FAQ's will aid you in negotiating your vehicle damage claim without having to hire a lawyer.

1. Q: Is it possible to avoid owing money to the bank on my totaled car when I’m upside down (ie: when you owe more on your car than it is worth)?
A: You can talk to your lender and see if they are willing to allow you to have your car repaired, despite the car having been declared totaled, or see if they are willing to do a substitution of collateral.

2. Q: What is substitution of collateral?
A: Substitution of collateral is when a lender agrees to substitute the totaled motor vehicle with a comparable vehicle in order to allow you to finish paying off your loan. N.C. Gen. Stat. §25A-26 allows for the substitution of collateral in consumer credit sales, but allows the seller to charge a fee that is capped at 10 % of the unpaid balance of the debt or $15.00, depending on the lesser amount.

3. Q: How can I get my “totaled” vehicle fixed if I owe more than its worth?
A: The insurance company most likely will not pay for repairs on a car they have evaluated as being a total loss. Therefore, you will need to approach the shop you are using to repair the car and find out if they are willing to fix the car for the amount that the insurance company is paying for the total loss. Before this is possible, you need to get the lienholder’s approval since their name is on the check as well. Please note that there is no guarantee, if you take this route and therefore, you undertake it at your own risk.

4. Q: What about charges for towing and reasonable storage?
A: If the insurance company deems that your car is repairable, then they are responsible for towing and reasonable storage fees “until three days after the owner and storage facility are notified in writing that the insurer will no longer reimburse the owner or storage facility for storage charges.” 11 N.C.A.C. 4.0418(6).

5. Q: My car was towed after the accident. How do I retrieve my personal items?
A: Contact the towing company and find out what the rules and policies are for picking up your personal items. Most likely, identification will be required before you are able to receive access to your vehicle and your personal items.

6. Q: When am I entitled to a rental car?
A: The insurance company should pay for you to have a rental car for a reasonable amount of time. The insurance company should either place you in a rental or reimburse you for your rental car. Normally, this is during the time in which your car is being prepared or while the insurance company is deciding how much your car is worth. Once the insurance company has made a reasonable offer to pay you for your totaled car, or once your car has been repaired, you will need to turn in your rental vehicle.

7. Q: What kind of rental am I entitled to?
A: The insurance company should place you in a similar vehicle. If you have a handicap or have a need for a specific type of rental, let the insurance company know.

8. Q: Do I need to purchase the extra insurance coverage suggested by the rental car company?
A: Depends on your own motor vehicle insurance policy. You should check with your insurance company first and find out how much coverage you have under your policy to determine whether you need to purchase additional coverage. Normally, the insurance company is not obligated to pay you back for this additional coverage.

9. Q: What if the insurance company or responsible driver wants me to sign a release?
A: Do not sign a release until you are 100% satisfied with your settlement. Also, make sure that the insurance company is not also including your personal injury claim in the release. Have your attorney take a look at the release to ensure that your rights are protected.

10. Q: What if I have problems or additional questions regarding my property damage?
A: If you have additional property damage questions, you should contact your attorney and see if he or she can answer them for you.

*Photo courtesy of adam*b by way of Flickr Creative Commons.

CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta Speaks About Avandia

This is the second video we have posted from CNN on Avandia. In recent weeks, Avandia has been back in the news due to a Advisory Panel Meeting by the FDA. To catch up on all the recent news, just follow the links below the video. In the following video, Dr. Sanjay Gupta breaks down the numbers from a recent study on Avandia.

Avandia FDA Advisory Panel Meeting: Wrap-Up
Avandia FDA Advisory Panel Meeting: News From Day 2
CNN Video on Avandia
Avandia FDA Advisory Panel Meeting: News From Day 1

5 Questions With Case Manager Isela Kiaku

This month Case Manager Isela Kiaku tackles the 5 questions.

1. How did you celebrate July 4th?

I spent the fourth with friends and my three boys at a cookout. We played cards and listened to music.

2. What is your favorite TV Show?
Intervention on A&E

3. Do you have any hobbies?
I love to dance, play pool and watch my boys play sports.

4. What is your favorite food?
Shrimp Pasta.

5. What is your favorite city to visit?
My home town of Chicago.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists (UM/UIM) Coverage in North Carolina

Insurance companies and agents doing business in North Carolina are required to offer Uninsured Motorist Coverage and Combined Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage. You are not required to purchase this type of coverage. If you choose not to purchase it, you must reject this coverage in writing per North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDOI) guidelines.

Uninsured Motorists (UM) Coverage provides protection when you or another individual covered by your policy is injured in an accident caused by an uninsured driver. Each state has different limits which cover your motorcycle and any damages caused by direct contact with an uninsured vehicle, provided that the motorist is found legally liable for the accident.

Underinsured Motorists (UIM) Coverage provides protection if you are involved in a motor vehicle accident involving a driver whose limits of liability are less than your UIM coverage limits and not sufficient enough to cover losses sustained by those injured in the motor vehicle accident. This coverage will pay a maximum of the difference between the underinsured driver’s liability limits and your UIM coverage limits, provided the underinsured motorist is found to be legally liable for the accident. UIM coverage alone does not cover property damages