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Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, announced the agency is expanding the services available with a Social Security account. This is a personalized online account that people can use beginning in their working years and continuing throughout the time they receive Social Security benefits. More than 60 million Social Security beneficiaries and Supplemental Security… Read more »

Anyone who has ever tried to call a Social Security office knows the frustration with how long you have to hold before you can actually reach a live person to talk to. Recent news from the Social Security Administration doesn’t promise to improve that service, but a new enhanced online service might enable you to… Read more »

Proving pain is often assessed by determining the credibility of an individual’s statements. Social Security Ruling 96-7p sets forth the framework for evaluating symptoms and evaluating the credibility of an individual’s statements.  Social Security Ruling 96-7p states in pertinent part: In recognition of the fact that an individual’s symptoms can sometimes suggest a greater level… Read more »

The Social Security Administration (SSA) keeps track of individual’s earnings records. Earnings are reported to the SSA when you are working and paying FICA taxes. Your earnings will determine your eligibility for disability and retirement benefits. Your earnings will also determine if your spouse or children may be eligible any benefits on your record. The… Read more »

The majority of people who’ve gone through the process of trying to apply for Social Security disability benefits know how difficult it is to finally start collecting benefits, so it may be somewhat of a surprise that some people actually collect more money than they are entitled to from Social Security. Occasionally Social Security will… Read more »

Although much of President Barack Obama’s $4 trillion budget for 2016 focuses on defense and domestic spending, the president has not forgotten about Social Security, and especially the agency’s disability program, which is projected to be unable to pay full disability payments to disabled workers as early as next year. Within the president’s budget are… Read more »

A recent report coming out of Southern Illinois identified a terrifying episode where a Jackson County, Illinois man has been indicted for threatening to kill an employee of the Social Security Administration. It is an appalling story, but unfortunately not all that surprising. According to WSIL, the ABC affiliate in Carbondale, IL, Steven Vizcarrondo, 22,… Read more »

A recent Urban Institute report on the economic status and demographics of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients indicates that a large portion have limited education, low income and few assets. According to the report, about 44 percent of SSDI recipients aged 31-49 are considered “poor” or “near poor” based on income that is between… Read more »

Ever heard the old adage, “money doesn’t solve all problems?” This is never truer when you are talking about Social Security disability. It is an unfortunate fact, but the vast majority of people who are applying for Social Security disability benefits will face some sort of financial hardship prior to receiving benefits. It is a… Read more »

For several years Social Security has encouraged Americans to access Social Security’s website to take advantage of the agency’s services. Now, Social Security has announced it will offer access to 1099s to those who received either Social Security retirement or disability benefits. Previously, Social Security would mail 1099s each January to beneficiaries. The 1099s indicated… Read more »