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In This Issue...
How Long Do SSDI Benefits Last?
Can They Be Suspended?
New Year’s Eve Celebrations Around the World
Salvation Army Bell Ringing
Recipe of the Month
Holiday Spiced Nuts
History of "Auld Lang Syne"
FSTN Provides Gifts for 50 Children
Employee of the Month and Year
December 2014, Vol 2
Our Office
Fleschner, Stark
Tanoos & Newlin
201 Ohio Street
Terre Haute
Indiana 47807
Phone: (812) 232-2000
Toll Free: (866) 684-3388
How Long Do SSDI Benefits Last?
Can They Be Suspended?
Social Security Disability (SSDI) benefits provide
income for eligible individuals who are disabled
and no longer able to work. Payments continue as
long as your medical condition has not improved
and you cannot work.
Periodic Disability Review
The Social Security Administration (SSA) periodically reviews the medical condition of each SSDI
recipient. If your condition improves so that you
are no longer disabled under the law, SSDI benefits stop.
The review period is based on your condition and health outlook:
• If improvement is expected, the first review will be 6 to 18 months after SSDI
benefits begin.
• Where improvement is possible, the first review will be at least 3 years after
you become disabled.
• If improvement is not expected, a review will not occur before 7 years after
your disability date.
Disability benefits convert to Social Security retirement benefits when you attain full
Social Security retirement age and there are no more disability reviews.
Returning to Work and Overpayments
If you are able to work at all, continuing eligibility for SSDI benefits depends on
your earnings amount. SSDI payments will be suspended if you are able to work at
a “substantial level,” defined in 2014 as earnings of $1,070 per month.
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How Long Do SSDI Benefits....
However, you may work on a trial basis and still collect full SSDI benefits. You must
report your work activity to the SSA and remain disabled. The SSA brochure “Working While Disabled – How We Can Help has complete program details.
December 2014, Vol 2
Our Attorneys
Firm Partners
Sometimes trial work earnings result in a SSDI benefit overpayment to the worker.
The SSA will demand that this overpayment be paid back. You are entitled to appeal
this situation to avoid burdensome repayments.
Suspension of Benefits if Living Out of the U.S.
The law prohibits Social Security payments to individuals in certain countries. If you
relocate to any of these your SSDI benefits may be suspended. These circumstances are very limited, and you can find a list at the Social Security Administration
(SSA) webpage on this topic.
G. Steven Fleschner
You have the right to appeal an SSA decision to suspend or reduce your disability
benefits.
New Year’s Eve Celebrations Around the World
Not every culture celebrates the New Year with
fireworks and champagne toasts:
• In the Philippines, celebrants wear clothing
with polka dots and eat round fruit to ensure a
prosperous New Year, while noisy firecrackers
and horns deter evil spirits.
Dennis H. Stark
• Those in Spain eat plenty of grapes – one at
each stroke of midnight – for prosperity in the
coming year.
• In Greece, doors are adorned with onions as a
symbol of rebirth.
• Bells in Buddhist temples in Japan ring 108
times to welcome Toshigami, the New Year’s
god, and the Japanese write letters of thanks
to friends and relatives.
• Single Irish women put sprigs of mistletoe
under their pillows wishing for luck and a future husband.
• Estonia celebrants eat seven, nine or even twelve meals to gain the strength of
many men – but prudently leave some food for the spirits of ancestors who visit
on New Year’s Eve.
Anthony A. Tanoos
• Residents of some South American countries wear colored underwear to influence their fate in the New Year: red to find love, gold for wealth and white
signifying peace.
Wishing you a peaceful and prosperous New Year, however you choose to celebrate!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------If you or a family member has been denied Social Security Disability benefits, it’s
important to get an attorney experienced in these types of cases involved immediately. Call 866-684-3388 for your free case review. The Injury Lawyers of
Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin will help you navigate the complex appeal process
for the best possible outcome for you and your family.
Thomas C. Newlin
www.fleschnerlaw.com
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December 2014, Vol 2
History of "Auld Lang Syne"
"Auld Lang Syne" started its life as a poem written by Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1788. The lyrics were set to the tune
of an old Scottish folk song. Over time, the song became traditional in Scotland and the British Isles as a folk song to be
sung to commemorate the New Year. As folks from that area of the world emigrated to the States, they brought the
tradition with them.
The literal meaning of "Auld Lang Syne" is "Old Long Since," or "Long, Long Ago." The song talks about drinking a toast to
days gone by and the importance of friendship.
FSTN Provides Gifts for 50 Children
Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin delivered all our gifts to Big Brothers Big
Sisters of the Wabash Valley today. We were ecstatic to be able to adopt and
purchase gifts for 50 children this year. We hope all the children have a very
Merry Christmas! Thank you to all our employees and attorneys for helping
with this event!
Employee of the Month and Year
Our Employee of the Month for December is Jennifer Fields. She has been with the
law firm for 8 years and is the Education Department Manager. She educates employees on firm procedures and Social Security Disability rules and regulations. Her
favorite thing about her job is helping employees be knowledgeable about their job so
they have good client’s first service.
People who voted for Jennifer said this: “Jennifer is EXTREMLY knowledgeable in every
Social Security Department. She is definitely as asset to the firm.
Jennifer Fields
Our Employee of the Year for 2014 was Mandy Davis. She was also the Employee of
the Month for November. Congratulations Mandy for this accomplishment!
Mandy Davis
Salvation Army Bell Ringing
We love donating our time and energy to the Salvation Army. It is such an important time of
year for us to give back. We rang the bell at two local Walmarts in Terre Haute today and
had so much fun doing it! Sharing is Caring!
Recipe of the Month
Holiday Spiced Nuts
Here's a great recipe from Rachael Ray for holiday entertaining or gift giving.
Ingredients
• 2 cups walnut halves
• 1 cup whole unsalted cashews
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup peeled hazelnuts
• 1 cup whole pecan halves
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December 2014, Vol 2
Recipe of the Month
1 teaspoon ground anise
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, eyeball it
1 cup smoked almonds (recommended: Diamond Smokehouse almonds)
Directions
Heat a large skillet and cook nuts over moderate heat 7 to 8 minutes until golden and well toasted – your nose will know
when they are done.
Transfer nuts to a plate and return pan to stove top. Add butter to the pan in small pieces. Melt butter and spice it with
anise, cinnamon, pepper and nutmeg. Let butter infuse a minute then pour over nuts. Turn off heat.
Add smoked nuts to the skillet and turn to combine evenly with butter.
Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin
201 Ohio Street
Terre Haute, Indiana 47807
Phone: (812) 232-2000
Toll Free: (866) 684-3388
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