Social Security Disability &
  Special Needs Planning News from
 Sheri R. Abrams, Attorney at Law,
 Partner at Needham Mitnick & Pollack, PLC  
In This Issue:
Winter Weather - Is Your Social Security Office Open Today?
What is the Americans With Disabilities Act?
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Issue: # 77

 December 2014

Picture of Social Security Card and Dice

 

     

 

Welcome to our monthly newsletter. 

 

These monthly newsletters are designed to provide useful information on Disability Law & Issues with a special emphasis on Social Security Disability & Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits and Special Needs Trusts & Planning.

 

You may have been added to our e-mail newsletter mailing list if you are a client, business associate, a Facebook friend, a Linked-In connection, or another professional contact of Sheri R. Abrams, Attorney at Law, or the Law Firm of Needham Mitnick & Pollack, plc.

 

You may unsubscribe by clicking on the link at the end of this e-mail.

Winter Weather - Is Your Social Security Office Open Today?

 

office closings Areas of the country have already experienced cold temperatures and snowfalls that are earlier than expected for this time of year. 
 

At one time or another severe weather or some unanticipated event can force a local Social Security office to unexpectedly close temporarily. Before traveling, consider going online to check the office closings page of the Social Security website located here.

 

Information is updated hourly so check for the latest update before leaving home. 

 

Even if your local office is open, you can probably handle your business without travelling.  Most Social Security business can be done by telephone or online. Social Security's national toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) has representatives available from 7:00am - 7:00pm local time and automated services at other times. 

 

Many services are available online if you have created your personal my Social Security account. With this, you can download a letter verifying your benefit amount or make changes to your record, such as changing your address. 

 

Although most Social Security services do not require a office visit, if you prefer visiting in person know that most local Social Security offices are open 9 am to 3 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday and 9 am to Noon on Wednesday. 

 

What is the Americans With Disabilities Act?

 

ADA.gov The Americans with Disabilities Act, commonly known as the ADA, is considered one of the most important pieces of civil rights legislation for people with disabilities.

 

Passed in 1990 and amended in 2008, the ADA attempts to provide equal opportunities for people with disabilities in all facets of public life.

 

The ADA is divided into several sections.

 

Title I requires employers with at least 15 employees to provide people with disabilities with reasonable accommodations for their disabilities, and it prevents employers from discriminating against people with disabilities during hiring and promotions.

 

Title II of the ADA mandates that state and local governments provide equal opportunities for people with disabilities in all state programs, including education, health care and social services.  This portion of the ADA is frequently used to force States to provide equal access to health insurance, like Medicaid, and other means-tested state programs. 

 

Title II also calls for accessible public transportation and sets standards for new accessible public transportation vehicles.

 

Title III prevents exclusion and discrimination in public accommodations like stores, restaurants and hotels.  This portion of the ADA also applies to private corporations that provide transportation services, like airlines and bus companies.  The regulations implementing this section of the ADA go into great detail about how buildings should be designed or re-designed to allow access for people with disabilities.

 

Finally, Title IV requires phone and television companies to provide closed captioning and telephone relay services, which allow persons with hearing or speech disabilities to place and receive telephone calls.

 

Since its passage, the ADA has provided people with disabilities with an avenue to challenge discriminatory treatment throughout society and it has been incredibly successful.

 

In 2008, the ADA was amended to clarify just who is considered "disabled" under the Act, broadening the category of people eligible for protection.

 

People with special needs have used the ADA to challenge a variety of state laws and regulations that have targeted disability benefits and other programs for people with special needs, and the law has made most public buildings and vehicles much more accessible.

 

To learn more about the ADA, visit the Department of Justice's ADA information center here.

 

Sheri Abrams' Book "Don't Gamble With Your Social Security Disability Benefits--What Every Virginia Resident Needs To Know To Win A Social Security Disability Case" Is Available

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For more information please click here to see our Press Release.  


Available for purchase at Amazon.com or you can download a free copy of the book at: 


 

 
  

www.sheriabrams.com 


 

or


 

http://www.nmpattorneys.com/news-announcements/ 

 

Now Available For Nook & Kindle

 

Kindle 

"Don't Gamble With Your Social Security Disability Benefits--What Every Virginia Resident Needs To Know To Win A Social Security Disability Case" is now available for the Nook here,

 

and the Kindle here.

 

OUR OFFICE LOCATION

 

The law firm of Needham Mitnick & Pollack, PLC, is located at:

 

NMP's Office Building 

 

400 S. Maple Avenue
Suite 210
Falls Church, VA 22046
(703) 536-7778

 

 

This is in downtown Falls Church and the office has plenty of free and accessible parking.

 

REFERRALS

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If you know of someone who could use my legal services or any of the other members of the law firm of Needham Mitnick & Pollack, PLC, please forward to him/her this e-mail newsletter or give him/her our telephone number: (703) 536-7778.

  

We provide legal services in the areas of Social Security Disability Law, Elder Law, Wills and Trusts, Probate, Trust Administration, Powers of Attorney, Advance Medical Directives, Guardianships, Long Term Care Planning, Disability Planning, Medicaid Eligibility, Student Loan Discharge, Veterans Benefits and Special Needs Trusts.
   
If you, or someone you know, is involved with an educational event or support group that would benefit from a presentation on any of the areas of law for which we provide legal services, please call us at (703) 536-7778.