The Connection between Short-Term Disability & COVID-19

Clarifying the Connection between Short-Term Disability & COVID-19

By Diane Russell, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Consumer Strategy   There has been plenty of confusion related to COVID-19 around the country. Working remotely, schooling at home, shelter-in-place, social distancing and other factors have created a situation none of us could have planned for. As head of Marketing & Consumer Strategy for Lincoln…

Celebrating diversity at work

Advocating for Diversity, Inclusion, and Accommodations in the Workplace

It’s one thing to say that you are on board with the idea of promoting diversity, inclusion, and accommodations in the workplace. It’s another thing entirely to successfully advocate for these things.   Here’s something to think about: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that approximately 25% of all U.S. adults live with…

Protecting loved ones

What the Pandemic Has Taught Us About Insurance

As unwelcome as it has been, the pandemic has been a great teacher. It’s revealed a lot about ourselves and the world we live in. Some lessons have been very difficult, while others have proven fruitful. We’ve all been impacted profoundly. Insurance is one area where your perceptions may have changed in light of recent…

Low-Cost Ways to Cope With a Disability Diagnosis

Low-Cost Ways to Cope With a Disability Diagnosis

After weeks, months, or even years of searching for answers, a diagnosis – even a challenging one – can be a relief. There’s something extraordinarily powerful about being able to put a name to your symptoms and the cause behind them. However, that relief brings a hefty dose of its own fear and uncertainty with…

Savings

Four Methods of Budgeting That Will Help You Save Money

The thing about budgeting is that we all know we have to do it, and often the hardest part is getting started. The challenge is even greater for adults with disabilities. In fact, 1 in 4 Americans with disabilities have a hard time finding employment and thus experience financial insecurity. Their economic situation is aggravated…

A Guide to Accessible Home Buying

A Guide to Accessible Home Buying

How has the real estate industry changed over the past year? From full-time remote employment to social distancing measures, 2020 has been a year that constantly questioned the status quo and the way we interact with the world. The home buying process is one of the best examples of how a well-established procedure has adapted…

Employee benefits research starts with building empathy to better understand what employeess need from benefits

Earthquakes, Shooting Ranges and Employee Benefits Innovation

Inspiration for employee benefits research can come from unexpected places – like earthquakes and shooting ranges. In my work leading an innovation team, we use a variety of techniques to gain deeper insight into what an employee may experience while on disability leave or when enrolling in their benefits. Most absence and leave management companies…

The pandemic's affect on Social Security

COVID-19 and the Social Security Administration

Though COVID-19 threatens everyone, the elderly face the greatest peril, including – possibly –the United States Social Security Administration. SSA turned 85 years old in August 2020, and it is time to check in on how the pandemic is affecting the department.   Social Security administers retirement, Social Security Disability Insurance, survivor, Supplemental Security Income…

Bipolar disorder and disability benefits claims

Bipolar Disorder and SSDI

Bipolar disorder – sometimes known as “manic depression” – is a disorder of the brain. People with this disorder will often experience extreme shifts in levels of activity, mood and energy. Such extremes are referred to as manic and depressive episodes. Out of all bipolar disorder cases, 83% are classified as severe. Most cases of…