Direct deposit delivers Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit payments into your bank or credit union’s account quickly and safely. You can withdraw your money at any time. The difference is, your check is not printed or mailed. Effective May 1, 2011 all applicants filing for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)… Read more »
Blog
President Obama Pledges to Uphold Social Security in Second Inaugural Address
Today, President Obama was sworn into his second term in office at the 57th Inauguration Ceremony inWashington,D.C. His inaugural address focused on national unity, using the phrase “we the people” as a refrain. President Obama discussed the Social Security program during his address, pledging to strengthen and modernize American’s safety net and social programs. The commitments… Read more »
SSDI and the 5-Month Waiting Period for Payments
The Social Security disability process is littered with emotional highs and lows. One example is the five-month waiting period disabled workers are faced with when they are approved for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Many times Social Security disability applicants express a sigh of relief when they find out they are approved for SSDI, but… Read more »
Will I have to pay taxes on my benefits?
If you receive Social Security Disability, Retirement, or Survivors benefits you may be liable to pay federal income tax on the benefits you receive. Your tax responsibility, if any, depends on your total income. This typically comes into effect if you have other income; such as wages, self-employment income, interest, dividends, etc. if you are… Read more »
The Social Security Administration is testing new claim processing prototypes
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is currently in the testing stages for changing the way typical Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims are processed in hopes to improve the disability determination process. With this current initiative, claimants in 10 prototype states do not have their claims evaluated at the “Request for… Read more »
Online Services Available for Social Security Disability Applicants
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 »
Social Security Offers Access to Your Own Online Account
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 »
Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment
The Social Security Administration has released next year’s Cost-of-Living Adjustment (“COLA”). Individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income or Disability Insurance Benefits will see a 1.5% increase in their benefit payments beginning with January 2014 payments. If you want to know more about how the COLA is calculated, you can visit the Social Security Administration’s webpage on… Read more »
Social Security and Supplemental Security Income Benefits will be increased in 2014
This week, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced in a press release that there would be an increase in benefits staring in January 2014. All Social Security Retirement, Survivors, and Disability benefits will be increased by 1.5 percent. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits will also be increased by 1.5 percent. The increase is called a… Read more »
Proving Pain
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 »
