The Purpose of Disability Benefits

Guest Post

Disability benefits are set in motion to help people who suffer from unforeseen illnesses and injuries. A wide variety of situations may qualify a person to receive disability benefits. A worker who develops a severe illness or gets involved in an accident can qualify for disability. Many employers supply their employees with disability benefits as part of their benefits packages. The disability benefits cover a portion of the worker’s income until that person recovers from the illness and can return to work. The income portions vary depending on the insurance company. Usually the benefit falls in between 70 percent and 100 percent, and it may fluctuate over time. 

Private Disability Benefits

Some consumers purchase private disability benefits because their employers do not offer them. Self-employed individuals may seek disability coverage, as well. Those disability benefits work the same way that other benefits work. The process of filing a claim is usually identical, and it involves a phone call to the insurance company and proof of the illness and restrictions. A certified medical professional will have to state a recovery period, and the specialist will have to clear the person before he or she can return to the labors of the job. 

Government Disability Benefits

Another form of disability benefits comes from the government. The government benefits cover a wide range of physical and mental illnesses. Just a few illnesses that the government disability benefits cover are cancer, HIV, diabetes, major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. The process is lengthy with government benefits, but the outcome can be the same. The issuing party will either approve or decline disability benefits. 

Reasons that applicants have their disability benefits denied vary. Some of the most common reasons that the insurance companies and government entities use for denial are that the applicants are not disabled, the applicants are not disabled enough, the documentation was insufficient, the doctor did not substantiate the claim, and the person had the capacity to perform a different type of work. Unfortunately, some insurance companies give the ill parties the run around because they do not wish to pay benefits. In such cases, the applicants can seek the assistance of an experienced disability lawyer who can fight to have the decision reversed. Howie, Sacks & Henry is an example of a firm that fights hard for disabled people. A disabled person can schedule a consultation today for assistance.

3 Kinds of People Who Should Already Have a Lawyer

Guest Post
Nearly half of all human adults will go to court at some point in their lives. Most of these won’t have anticipated this eventuality, and will have to scramble to prepare themselves. As such, many will be under prepared, poorly represented, or stressed far more than is necessary when that day comes. For people like this, it would be much better if they had a plan of attack long before they knew that they were even going to court in the first place. It pays to have a relationship with a qualified attorney, even if you never use their services. That would be the ideal situation, actually, and you won’t pay anything never to employ your lawyer. But if you do need help in this way someday, you’ll be so glad that you already know who to call. A lawyer who knows you will be able to hit the ground running with your defence, or to prosecute another party in your favor. But if you’re getting a lawyer for the first time when things go bad, you’ll have to do lots of preliminary introductions, wasting time and increasing the chance that you won’t be represented as well as you could be. Considering all these points, here are 4 kinds of people who need to go ahead and get a lawyer, whether they’re headed to court or not.

1) People Who Build, Construct, Design, and Implement. If you do work on buildings, structures, or any kind of thing that people use, that their lives depend upon, it would be in your best interest to have a lawyer ready to call if something you built or designed goes wrong. If someone is injured or killed using your thing, it may not be your fault, but you can bet that someone will sue you. No Win No Fee Solicitors can put you in touch with a lawyer who won’t charge you until you win your case. So even if you are a small contractor, this can be a great investment for your own peace of mind.

2) People Who Work With Other People, Medical and Education. If you work in the medical industry, you are likely covered by your hospitals medical malpractice insurance. But it doesn’t hurt to also have your own lawyer, someone to help clear your name and get you back to work as soon as possible. This goes even more so for educators. In an industry where emotion and misunderstanding can rule the day, it’s important to have someone on your side who can help you construct the best possible defense if you happen to be sued.

3) Politicians. Even if you are a low level politician working in the public sector, emotions and perceived slights can give way to sudden lawsuits, and you will do well to be prepared. So have a lawyer who defends legislators and politicians. It’s a tricky world, and it pays to have someone defending you who already understands the ends and outs of your particular political landscape.

Really, almost everyone could benefit from having a relationship with a lawyer. Even if you are unlikely ever to go to court, a lawyer can help you draw up a will or do any of the other legal functions inherent to life.

Entrepreneurs and investors – the UK is open for business!

Guest Post
The Chinese year of the Sheep began on the 19^th February and Master Hans Cua, the youngest Feng Shui master in Asia, predicted that in the year of the Wooden Sheep businesses dealing with textile, fashion, paper, rubber and wood will grow well, while technology, electronic gadgets and supplies, computers, solar power, food, those thinking invention, and new-idea-regulating industries will be making a lot of money.

The British economy has certainly got off to a good start. This week the Office for National Statistics (ONS) announced the UK’s economy grew by 2.6% last year, the fastest pace since 2007, coupled with a recent article reporting that 60% of small businesses say they expect profit growth this year. These figures now place the UK among the best performing of all the major economies in 2014.

The economic resurgence is being further stimulated by Britain’s active support for non-EEA nationals to consider entrepreneurial and investment opportunities within the UK through Tier 1 business visas.

The Tier 1 visa rules are designed to attract high net worth individuals from outside the EEA wishing to start-up a business or invest in the UK:

Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa
Under a Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa, successful applicants can set up or take over the running of one business or more as a self-employed individual, provided the work meets the criteria for being self-employed. Successful applicants can also bring family members and dependants with them.

To be eligible for a Tier 1 entrepreneur visa, applicants have to be from outside the EEA and Switzerland, and be able to show they have access to at least £200,000 investment funds and the skills, qualifications and experience necessary to establish a viable business in the UK.

Tier 1 Investor visa
A Tier 1 Investor visa allows investments of £2,000,000 or more in the UK. Successful applicants are permitted to invest in government bonds, share capital or loan capital in active and trading UK registered companies. Investor visa holders can also work, study or engage in business activities in the UK.

To apply for a Tier 1 Investor visa, applicants must be from outside the EEA and Switzerland, and show they want to invest £2,000,000 or more in the UK. The investment funds must either belong to the applicant, their spouse or civil partner and they must be held in one or more regulated financial institutions and be available to be transferred to and invested in the UK.

Welcoming Tier 1 business visas
Too often the news is full of negative information regarding migration to the UK, but the doors are open for all Tier 1 investors and entrepreneurs.

Prime Minister, David Cameron confirms: “As part of our long-term economic plan, we are determined to do everything we can to back business, support investment and create jobs. We are already taking action on that front including cutting corporation tax to the lowest rate in the G7 but we’ve got to keep listening to business about what more we can do to support them.”

If you have a client from outside the EEA who has a business idea or who wishes to invest in an existing UK business, please contact us to discuss the full eligibility criteria and the options available to secure a Tier 1 business visa.

Anne Morris – Managing Director, DavidsonMorris
DavidsonMorris is a modern legal services provider specialising in immigration law. We support a range of private and commercial clients with expertise in the financial services, petrochemical and education sectors, advising major multi-nationals, FTSE 100 and Global 2000 companies, to help them meet their global mobility needs. We also support private entrepreneurs and investors in achieving British Citizenship, Naturalisation and Indefinite Leave to Remain.