How Social Security goes about protecting private information was the subject of a congressional hearing May 26, 2016 in relation to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) releasing an audit report that showed Social Security needs to do a better job of protecting private information like Social Security numbers, financial and private medical information of… Read more »
Blog
A New Claim While Appeals Council Claim Is Pending
Several years ago the Social Security Administration changed a policy related to disability claims. Prior to this change a disability claimant could have an active claim at the Appeals Council and could file a new claim while that decision is pending. Typically Appeals Council decisions can take up to 18 months to receive and there… Read more »
SSA Starts Program to Expedite Claims for Veterans Who Have A Veterans Affairs Compensation Rating Of 100% Permanent And Total Disability
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has started a program to expedite the processing of disability applications for veterans who have a Veterans Affairs (VA) compensation rating of 100% permanent and total disability. This program went into effect on March 17, 2014. The SSA typically takes three to six months to process disability applications. For veterans… Read more »
Too Many People Die While Waiting For Social Security Disability
I came across a story this month about a Louisiana man who was recently arrested for fraudulently receiving Social Security disability payments for the last year while he was working and earning substantial income, which is a big NO-NO. When a person receives Social Security disability they are claiming that they are unable to work… Read more »
Is Social Security Disability Going Bankrupt?
For many years now there has been a lot of talk about both the Social Security retirement and disability programs going broke. We have heard about when both programs will run out of money if nothing is done to change it, so it is important to know that Congress held hearings on the issue a… Read more »
Medicare Prescription Drug Program
The Medicare Prescription Drug Program is designed to provide extra assistance to those with limited resources. The extra help is estimated to be worth about $4,000 each year. If you qualify, Social Security may help pay for the monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and co-payments related to the Medical Prescription Drug program. You must be enrolled… Read more »
What is a Vocational Expert?
A huge sigh of relief usually follows the notification that a claimant’s Social Security disability hearing is scheduled. Finally, it gives a claimant a chance to have their “day in court” to prove they deserve either Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Sometimes that relief is soon replaced with trepidation… Read more »
Will I Have to Speak at My Disability Hearing?
As a case manager, when I have to inform our clients at Greeman Toomey about hearings before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), a common question that is asked is if a claimant has to speak at the hearing. The answer is, if the ALJ wants to hear from you, you are going to have to… Read more »
The Problem With SSI Applications
Social Security has, for quite some time now, attempted to provide more services online so that people don’t have to face long wait times standing in line at a Social Security office or on hold when they call Social Security. Not everyone has Internet access, but most people do and would rather attempt to access… Read more »
Millennials Should Care About Social Security As Much As Anyone
When you are young and in the prime of your life one of the last things you are probably thinking about is old age and retirement, but it’s really never too early to think about securing your future. Today’s Millennial Generation is finding it difficult to get a career started, so topics like retirement and… Read more »
