- What’s New in NC Workers’ Compensation
- The NC Industrial Commission has created a new Expedited Medical Motions procedure whereby medical disputes between the parties can be resolved on an expedited and/or emergent basis. It is hoped this new process will allow for smoother delivery of medical services by treating physicians and keep full evidentiary hearing dockets unclogged for hearing of other legal disputes. The process is certainly in keeping with the original purposes of the Act to deliver swift and sure benefits to covered workers, and may well have a very positive effect on the system overall.
- The NC Industrial Commission has published a new list of email addresses for all personnel, which is available on their website. So, go ahead delete any old IC email addresses from your Address Book now.
- The NC Industrial Commission has again raised the reimbursement rate for travel expenses incurred in connection with related medical and vocational activities to $.585 per mile through December 31, 2008. Seek reimbursement on a NCIC Form 25T. Mileage must total 20 miles or more, round-trip, to be reimbursed.
- What’s New in Social Security Law
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Asheville Attorney
David Gantt Calls Social Security Disability Delays A National
- For 2008, “substantial gainful activity” will be assumed with wages earned in excess of $940.00 per month for non-blind workers, $1,570.00 for blind workers and $670.00 for anyone engaged in a trial work period. SSI resource limits for 2008 are $2,000.00 per individual and $3,000.00 per couple.
- The SSA has recently announced the opening of their multi-lingual gateway of information to the Social Security system. SSA boasts key Social Security publications can be found in 16 different languages.
- Having only been rolled out recently in a few states, North Carolina claimants can now be paid their benefits via a government sponsored debit card.
- The two new Raleigh ODAR ALJs are David A. Anderson and Sandra D. Lord; Other semi-new faces include the Chief ALJ in Raleigh, Judge William Anderson, semi-new vocational expert Dixon Pearsall, Ph.D., CRC, NCC, and new Raleigh Hearing Office Director Vicki Norton.
- Regarding the nationwide backlog of cases, the SSA Office of Adjudication and Review published the “Plan to Eliminate the Hearing Backlog and Prevent Its Recurrence, End of Year Report, Fiscal Year 2007,". In addition, a recent meeting of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means, was called together on April 23, 2008. SSA Commissioner Astrue noted the following improvement strategies to the committee: increased SSA funding, a National Hearings Center, improved technology, compassionate allowance programs, additional quick determination units, senior attorney programs, and the hiring additional of additional ALJ’s.
- SSA encourages all participants to use the online “iappeal” process, as well as the Electronic Records Express program for sending in case specific evidence.
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