In order to qualify for Social Security disability you are not required to prove that you are permanently disabled, just that you have been, or will be, disabled for 12 months consecutively. Once you are found disabled for either the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs you may believe that… Read more »
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Do I have a Compassionate Allowance Condition?
Some individuals have conditions that are considered so serious that the Social Security Administration (SSA) will fast-track their application for benefits. The Compassionate Allowance Initiative identifies these conditions via public outreach hearings and consultation with various medical and scientific authorities. There are over 200 conditions that are considered as Compassionate Allowance (CAL ) conditions. Although an individual… Read more »
Are Social Security Benefits Taxable?
With the April 15 deadline to file taxes right around the corner, it might be a good opportunity to address an issue and question that comes up all the time for people who are receiving or have been notified that they have been approved to receive either Social Security retirement or Social Security disability benefits…. Read more »
Social Security Announces New Fraud Prevention Unit
The Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced the creation of a new fraud prevention unit in New York City, New York earlier this week. The purpose of the new unit is to identify potential fraud and detect fraud trends that can be applied to disability cases nationwide. The unit is staffed with 20… Read more »
What Happens When a Social Security Disability Applicant Dies?
Death is certainly not an easy topic to discuss, but in reality death is a part of life. Even so, it doesn’t make it any easier to deal with especially if a death occurs when someone who has applied for Social Security disability dies before the final determination of a case. Although it is rare,… Read more »
Social Security Benefit Overpayment
An Arizona newspaper that hides its name on its website wrote: Gaye Kelley spent 50 years in the workforce, doing many jobs: teacher, flight attendant and, eventually, Salt River Project customer-service representative for 30 years. When the Mesa resident retired in 2011, she had accrued a full two years of vacation pay and sick days from SRP…. Read more »
Social Security Opens New Fraud Unit
The Social Security Administration is getting serious about cracking down on fraud within Social Security disability programs. Late last month Carolyn Colvin, the agency’s acting commissioner, announced that Social Security would establish a centralized fraud prevention unit in New York City. This new unit will identify potential fraud trends within Social Security disability programs. It… Read more »
Payments to Same-Sex Couples: Partner Benefits
August 8, 2013 Carolyn W. Colvin, Acting Commissioner of Social Security publically stated: “I am pleased to announce that Social Security is now processing some retirement spouse claims for same-sex couples and paying benefits where they are due. The recent Supreme Court decision on Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act, made just over… Read more »
Why do I care about Chained CPI-U?
While individual Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB) are determined based on the amount individuals have paid into the system over time, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is need based, and cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) in maximum amounts are determined based on a formula set by Congress. There have recently been proposals to change the way this COLA is calculated. The formula set… Read more »
The Social Security Administration’s Social Media Efforts
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has made numerous efforts to connect with people by using social media to provide information regarding the agency and the services it offers. For people looking for information on Social Security Retirement, Disability, or Survivors benefits the SSA now offers downloadable podcasts and webinars featuring different topics. The webinars offer… Read more »
