Considering that same-sex marriage has been the law of the land for just a short time it was a bit unclear how this new right would impact those who collect Social Security benefits. It is a fact that Social Security will now be applying the same rules for those who are in traditional marriages and… Read more »
Blog
Is There Trouble With Representative Payees?
The Office of the Inspector General for Social Security recently released a report on representative payees. If you are unaware, Social Security uses representative payees to manage Social Security disability benefits for people the agency determines to be unable to manage their own finances due to impairments. Anytime private parties are used to handle finances… Read more »
The Option To File And Suspend Benefits Is Ending Soon
The budget bill passed late last year was great news for those who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). The SSDI Trust Fund was depleted to a point where beneficiaries were set to see a 20 percent reduction in benefits, but a transfer of funds from the Old Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund… Read more »
It is Possible to 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 »
Social Security While in Prison or Jail
Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments generally are not payable for months that an individual is confined to a jail, prison or certain other public institutions for commission of a crime and a person is not automatically eligible for Social Security or SSI payments when being released from prison or jail. If you are… Read more »
New Process for Wounded Veterans Applying for Social Security Disability
Military service members can receive expedited processing of disability claims from Social Security. Social Security benefits are different than those from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The expedited process is for military service members who become disabled while on active military service on or after October 1, 2001, regardless of where the disability occurs. The Social… Read more »
I received a medical denial on my disability claim, how do I file an appeal?
It is common for applicants who file a claim for Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to receive a medical denial, meaning the Social Security Administration (SSA) has determined their impairment(s) are not severe enough to keep them from working at a substantial level. At the Initial Application level approximately 75% of… Read more »
Can Social Security Disability Benefits Be Garnished?
Under certain circumstances, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits may be garnished depending on what type of debt is owed, but Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits may not be garnished under any circumstance. Because SSI is a needs-based program, it is determined that the recipient needs that income to survive and SSDI benefits are based… Read more »
Treasury Offers Another Option For Retirement Accounts
It has been well over a year that Social Security has been promoting its my Social Security accounts that provide online access to individual Social Security accounts. This obviously is not news, but in one of Social Security’s blogs found at www.ssa.gov there was another type of online account mentioned involving retirement accounts that many… Read more »
Do You Pay Taxes On Your Social Security Benefits?
As the tax filing date rapidly approaches new Social Security beneficiaries might be wondering if they are required to pay taxes on their benefits. Although the answer is not quite cut and dry, usually you will not have to pay taxes on your benefits unless you have other sources of income that move you into… Read more »
