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 of recent stories that have involved Social Security. Some are tidbits and some are important things that should be known in the world of retirement or disability and others are just interesting stories and nothing more.
Applications For SSI Benefits To Be Available Online
As a Social Security disability law office we routinely file disability applications for our clients. Typically there are two different programs to file for, Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Unfortunately we have never been able to file the SSI application for a benefit because it involves complex issues related to income and assets due to the fact that SSI is a needs-based program. Social Security recently announced that it would provide limited access to online SSI applications.
Beginning March 25, applications for SSI can be filed online, but there are some limitations. Those who meet the following conditions will be able to file an SSI application online:
- Anyone between the ages of 18-64;
- Any person that alleges disability, but not blindness;
- A person who has never been married.
Obviously there are a limited number of people who fall into this category, so we will see how this new system works.
Hearing Scheduled Blindly
Recently it has been reported that Social Security is undergoing the practice of scheduling hearings without contacting a claimant’s representative or attorney beforehand. This is problematic in a number of ways even though Social Security insists this is done to “save time.” Representatives and attorneys have many disability clients and need to know when the hearing is going to be at the time of scheduling. If Social Security decides to schedule a hearing before consulting with a claimant’s representative there is a possibility the attorney will already have a hearing scheduled for that particular date and time and then it will have to be rescheduled. There is no way this will end up saving time. It can also put a wedge between the attorney and client if the attorney has to reschedule the hearing, which can push back a hearing date several months.
Wait For The Other Shoe To Drop
President Trump’s Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Mick Mulvaney announced that Trump may soon review potential reforms to Social Security and Medicare. Mulvaney insisted that current beneficiaries would see no changes, but he did not say that future beneficiaries would be so lucky. According the Mulvaney, the changes could specifically deal with Social Security disability payments. He has prevously said about disability, it’s “one of the fastest growing and probably one of the most abused mandatory programs in the country.” Unfortunately the OMB director is false on both claims, which should scare everyone involved. Once the administration and Republican supporters in Congress attempt to make changes to the Social Security disability program they are likely to see a backlash just like they are facing with the new healthcare bill.
