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… Read more »
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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 »
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 »
Impairment Related Work Expenses
If you work, Social Security may deduct your Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) from the amount of earnings they use to figure your SSI benefit. This means that Social Security will not reduce your SSI benefit as much because they will not count all of your earnings. IRWE may include out-of-pocket expenses for: (1) medical… Read more »
Affordable Care Act Ruling Good News for Our Clients
Today the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act colloquially known as “Obamacare.” For the vast majority of our clients, the most important result of today’s ruling is the broad expansion of Medicaid, the joint federal-state insurance program for people with low incomes. The Affordable Care Act expands insurance coverage… Read more »
A recent article on CNN reports that the Federal government will soon phase out mailing of paper checks to Social Security, VA and government pension plan recipients
Federal officials began retiring paper checks in favor of direct deposits and prepaid “Direct Express” debit cards in May 2011. It has set a March 1, 2013, deadline for all beneficiaries to sign up for electronic payment. Anyone who fails to make the change will still receive paper checks, but will be the target of more… Read more »
Social Security Administration Personalizes Online Services
In a press release issued January 7, 2013, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced it would start offering more online services. The SSA website now has a my Social Security portal that allows anyone over the age of 18 to create an account. This account will allow the user to view their Social Security statement…. Read more »
Can Someone Receive both SSDI and SSI?
Social Security offers two separate programs for people who are medically disabled. These two programs are Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). With two different programs available a common question is: Can I receive both SSDI and SSI if I am found disabled. The quick answer is yes, but it will… 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 »
Compassionate Allowance Addition: Huntington’s Disease
Social Security Commission Michael J. Astrue announced in July of 2012 that Adult Onset Huntington’s disease will be added to the Compassionate Allowance List as of December, 2012. This news follows the addition of Juvenile Huntington’s disease to the Compassionate Allowance List effective in August, 2012. The expedited disability process will identify people with significant… Read more »
