| Confidentiality of Records |
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| The Social Security Administration, like other federal agencies, is subject to the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974. The Act prohibits the dissemination of information about an individual that is maintained by the agency including that regarding his education, finances, and medical, employment, and criminal history. An individual's application for benefits, submission of medical records, consultative examination reports, and income and resource information would all seem to be covered by the Act. With exceptions, the SSA can only disclose an individual's personal information if it receives a written request by, or with the written consent of, the individual to whom the information pertains.More... |
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| Standard of Conduct for Representatives of Social Security Claimants |
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| Those individuals undertaking to represent a social security claimant, whether an attorney or a non-attorney, must adhere to a certain standard of conduct. In particular, representatives appearing on behalf of a claimant before the Social Security Administration (SSA) must comply with the SSA's Rules of Conduct and Standards of Responsibility for Representatives (Rules of Conduct).More... |
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| Compensation for longshore, harbor, and maritime workers |
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| The LHWCA provides medical benefits, compensation for lost wages, and rehabilitative services. Additionally, should an employee suffer a fatal injury, the LHWCA provides for survivor benefits and the payment of reasonable funeral expenses. Eligible survivors include not only spouses and children, but also siblings, parents, grandparents, and grandchildren. However, the existence of a widowed spouse and child would preclude the receipt of benefits by the other beneficiaries. More... |
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| Social Security Disability Payments and Representative Payees |
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| When a Social Security disability beneficiary is a minor child or legally incompetent adult, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will select a representative payee to manage the beneficiary's disability payments. A representative payee, who can be either an individual or an organization, is charged with the responsibility of disbursing the funds for the beneficiary's present needs and saving any remaining funds for the future. Payment of the beneficiary's "needs" should include food, clothing, shelter, utilities, dental and medical care, and personal comfort items.More... |
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| Arbitration and Mediation |
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| Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) has come to play an increasing role in the resolution of workers' compensation disputes. Almost half the states now offer arbitration and/or mediation as viable ADR methods.More... |
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