A new bill that impacts Social Security benefits could be out soon. The bill, which is primarily coming from Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida), focuses on family leave for new parents. The basics of the bill allow new parents to take extended leave from work without being a burden to their employer by allowing them to access an early weekly benefit from Social Security. This amount would be based on their earning history, but there is a catch to this program. Those parents who decide to take leave and then access Social Security benefits, would have to wait longer to collect retirement benefits when they reach old age. There are many critics of the proposal, mainly because Social Security is already facing a funding shortage and soon will be paying out more money than it receives. If this proposal were to pass Congress, it would only increase the deficits for Social Security and deplete funds faster. The bill has not even been completely drafted, so it is unclear how far this proposal will go.
Signing Up For Medicare
We get questions all the time about Medicare because Social Security disability claimants who are found to be disabled, and who qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits qualify for Medicare. This program is something disabled people and seniors can start when they become eligible. Each year people can signup for Medicare Parts A and B from January 1 to March 31. Coverage then goes into effect July 1. Beginning April 2018, Medicare will mail new cards to help protect beneficiaries from identity theft. One major change is that Medicare and Medicaid is removing Social Security numbers from all Medicare cards, to reduce the threat of identity fraud.
Replacement Cards and Real ID
It has been 13 years since Congress passed the Real ID Act in 2005. This law, which was recommended by the 9/11 Commission, established enhanced security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards. So far, nearly half of the states have complied with the new law and those that have yet to do so only have until 2020 to comply. This may sound like it has nothing to do with Social Security, but it does. Some states may require a Social Security card or an alternate method of Social Security number verification to get a driver’s license. If you need to get a replacement Social Security card, you can start the process on line by creating a my Social Security account.
Another Incident At A Social Security Office
A 63-year-old man was indicted by a grand jury after allegedly assaulting an employee at a Social Security Office In Greenville, South Carolina. According the indictment, the employee, who is on a contract with the Department of Homeland Security, and was working as a guard at the office at the time, was struck with “both open and closed hands,” by the man charged, Kenneth David Sipple.
If Sipple is convicted he could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Certainly there is no excuse for Sipple’s actions, but it should be known that Social Security offices are very crowded and usually filled with people trying to access benefits. Sometimes people who are applying for Social Security disability benefits suffer from mental health disabilities. This is not the first time a Social Security employee has been assaulted, and it probably won’t be the last.
