Allsup, NORD to Offer Insight into SSDI Process at Allsup True Help® Disability Web Expo

Belleville, Ill. (PRWEB) September 19, 2012

Allsup, a nationwide provider of services for people with disabilities, and the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), will host a moderated chat titled, “Every claim is different—insight into the Social Security Disability Insurance process,” during the Allsup True Help® Disability Web Expo.

The free, online Web Expo will be held Thursday, Sept. 27, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., CST. A presentation on “What You Need to Know About Social Security Disability Insurance,” is scheduled for 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. The moderated chat will follow the presentation from 11:35 a.m. until noon. All presentations will be 508 compliant for accessibility.

Stefanie Putkowski, clinical information specialist and research program administrator for NORD, said that approximately 30 million Americans are struggling with a rare disorder.

“NORD hears daily from these patients and their families, who are often desperately seeking financial assistance,” said Putkowski, co-moderator of the chat. “They have exhausted their finances due to the effects of their rare condition, and often cannot afford their medications, insurance premiums and/or the expenses of daily living.”

With many individuals unable to secure insurance, the stress of having a rare and disabling condition often is compounded by overwhelming financial difficulties. “Because there are almost 7,000 rare disorders, it's likely impossible for the Social Security Administration to list each disorder,” Putkowski added. “The result is that rare disease patients are frequently declined their disability benefits, simply because their disorder is not listed. They need an application process that takes rare, unlisted conditions into account.”

The application process can be difficult to navigate, said David Meredith, Allsup senior claimant representative and co-moderator. “The SSA listings of conditions are very precise classifications that can be overwhelming,” Meredith said. “Claimants who have come to Allsup after trying to obtain Social Security disability benefits on their own have told us that simply finding and filling out the forms was extremely stressful. With about two thirds of initial SSDI applications being denied, it’s definitely to your benefit to have an experienced representative help you from the very beginning.”

More than a dozen leading nonprofit organizations and experts in health and wellness, advocacy, disease treatment and support, financial planning and disability employment will offer informational sessions and screening services, as well as answer questions. Content will be available during an on-demand period through Wednesday, Dec. 26.

Other moderated chat topics at the Web Expo include, “Making the most of Medicare” and “Is chronic pain a disability?”

Register for the event and download the agenda at WebExpo.Allsup.com.

For more information about the Web Expo, contact Tai Venuti, MPH, at (800) 854-1418, ext. 68573.

ABOUT NORD
The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), a 501(c)(3) organization established in 1983, is a unique federation of voluntary health organizations dedicated to helping people with rare “orphan” diseases and assisting the organizations that serve them. NORD is committed to the identification, treatment and cure of rare disorders through programs of education, advocacy, research and service.

ABOUT ALLSUP
Allsup is a nationwide provider of Social Security disability, Medicare and Medicare Secondary Payer compliance services for individuals, employers and insurance carriers. Founded in 1984, Allsup employs more than 800 professionals who deliver specialized services supporting people with disabilities and seniors so they may lead lives that are as financially secure and as healthy as possible. The company is based in Belleville, Ill., near St. Louis. For more information, go to http://www.Allsup.com or visit Allsup on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Allsupinc.

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