Social Security is turning 80! Since the retirement program was enacted in 1935, it has expanded in important ways. The disability component, introduced later, is now a critical piece of Social Security and ensures that those who aren't able to work have a small measure of protection. Now is the time to ensure that the Social Security programs remains strong for our future. I'm joining with other NOSSCR members in honoring this anniversary and a calling for the program's protection in the future.
Assistance In Kansas While Waiting For Social Security Benefits
If you've filed for Social Security benefits but you haven't received a decision yet and you need help to pay bills and obtain medical treatment the following set of links that may be able to help you find resources while you wait:
Assistance In Missouri While Waiting For Social Security Benefits
If you've filed for Social Security benefits but you haven't received a decision yet and you need help to pay bills and obtain medical treatment the following set of links that may be able to help you find resources while you wait:
Why You Need An Attorney
A General Accounting Office study submitted to Congress revealed that Social Security disability claimants represented by attorneys are three to five times more likely to be awarded their benefits than claimants not represented by an attorney.
SSA Offices To Expand Service Hours
Effective March 16, 2015 local district offices for Social Security will expand their hours to serve walk-in customers from 9am to 3pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays to 9am to 4pm. All district offices will remain closed to the public at noon every Wednesday. For general inquiries Social Security offers a toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 that is answered from 7am to 7pm Monday thru Friday; however, we recommend that if you have a disability case pending to contact the district office with questions because they have access to the most current information regarding your case or the processing of your benefits.
2015 Social Security Disability Benefit Increase
The Social Security Administration announced today that monthly Social Security Disability benefits will increase by 1.7% effective January 1, 2015. For example, if a disabled worker is currently receiving $1,000 per month in Social Security disability benefits, as of January 2015 that same disabled worker will begin receiving $1,017. Supplemental Security Income receipents whose current benefit is the maximum $721 per month will be receiving $733 per month as of January 2015.
The Truth Behind The Media and Political Characterizations Of the SSDI Program
In response to growing criticism regarding the Social Security Disability programs, Barbara Silverstone, a practicing disaiblity attorney, provides the following explanations for the increase in applicants, the need for representatives, and the integrity of the program.
Social Security Releases New Rules On Evaluating Diabetes
On June 2, 2014, Social Security released a new ruling, SSR 14-2p, detailing how the agency will review disability cases for claimants who suffer from diabetes. In April 2011, Social Security removed diabetes from the Listing of Impairments because they believed the listing no longer accurately identified people who were disabled. The removal of diabetes from the adult listing did not mean, however, that a claimant could not be found disabled due to this condition. Social Security's new ruling helps clarify the symptoms and the secondary conditions they are looking for that demonstrates that a claimant is unable to work full-time because of diabetes.
Social Security Stops Trying To Collect On Old Debt
Acting Social Security Commissioner, Carolyn Colvin, recently announced that Social Security will stop collecting on Social Security overpayments that are more than ten years old by seizing state and federal tax refunds.
Compassionate Allowance
Compassionate Allowances are a way to quickly identify diseases and other medical conditions that by definition meet Social Security's standards for disability benefits. The program fast tracks disability decisions to ensure that claimant's with the most serious disabilities receive their benefit decisions within days instead of months. Once a compassionate allowance case has been identified by Social Security, those applications are fast-tracked through the approval process. Below is the current list of compassionate allowance conditions.
