We realize it may be a stretch for ordinary people to want to keep up with the comings and goings of the Social Security Administration, but sometimes circumstances permit where someone does want to follow the latest news regarding the agency due to a possible retirement or disability interest. This blog is an ongoing piecemeal… Read more »
Blog
Where Is The Plan To Tackle The Payment Center Problem?
We often talk about the backlog of Social Security disability applicants waiting for hearings before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), but the backlog of disability benefit recipients waiting for their past-due benefits is something that does not get discussed as much. Social Security has actually made some headway reducing the backlog for claimants waiting for… Read more »
The Financial Issues Facing Social Security
For years, actually decades, people have been concerned about Social Security funding and a future lack of the agency being able to meet 100 percent of benefits obligations. Understanding the problem is part of their solution, so it is important to get accurate information about the problem. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities released… Read more »
Former Commissioner’s Name Withdrawn For Consideration On Board
In January of 2019 former Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue was nominated to be a member of the Social Security Advisory board, but that nomination was withdrawn September 9, 2019. No action was ever taken on Astrue’s nomination and he was never confirmed. There is no news to report why his nomination was withdrawn. Astrue,… Read more »
You Should Be Familiar With Who Receives Disability Insurance Benefits
Many times there is a stigma about who receives Social Security benefits, but rarely do we discuss the difficult qualification process to receive benefits. It is not easy to qualify for Disability Insurance benefits and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities released the following to show the stringent guidelines that must be met. Eligibility… Read more »
Compared To Most Other Countries America Spends Less On Disability Benefits
What do Finland, Hungary, Austria, Iceland and the Czech Republic have in common? The answer is that all of these countries spend a higher percentage of their gross domestic product on disability benefits than the United States does. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities separated disability pensions and other incapacity benefits, and took a… Read more »
Your Options When Applying For Medicare
Understanding your options when it comes to Medicare is important when you are approaching the eligibility age, 65, or are disabled under Social Security’s rules. Below is some information from Social Security that might make the process of applying for Social Security a bit easier. Who can apply for Medicare online? You can use our… Read more »
New Social Security Policy On Child Relationships
Social Security has issued a new POMS (Program Operation Manual Series) issuance, updating the agency’s policies regarding child relationships and dependence. If you are unfamiliar with POMS, here is a brief description of what it is. This section of the SSA Program Policy Information Site contains the public version of the Program Operations Manual System… Read more »
Updates From The Office Of Disability Determinations
John Owens, the associate commissioner for the Office of Disability Determinations, recently provided updates for a number of initiatives at the national training conference for the National Association of Disability Examiners. Disability Determination is responsible for issuing disability decisions at the lower levels of the Social Security disability process. Below are some of the topics… Read more »
Social Security Number Verification Service Will Debut In January
In an effort to reduce identity fraud a group of financial institutions selected by the Social Security Administration will participate in a new electronic consent based Social Security verification service beginning January 2020. Social Security will study how well the new service operates before deciding to expand the service. Below is a news release from… Read more »
