Categorized: Legal News

The Latest With Social Security

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 »

Backlogs Increasing At DDS

A new report issued by Social Security’s Inspector General ‘s office confirmed that the state agencies that are charged with making disability determinations on Social Security disability claims, during the early stages of the process, are receiving less applications to process yet wait times on determinations have increased. The report indicates this trend is likely… Read more »

Examining The Function Report

Once a claimant submits an application to the Social Security Administration for consideration the responsibilities of the claimant are not over. The claimant is likely going to have to complete some paperwork before the claim is properly considered and that is when the Function Report comes into play. Each state’s Disability Determination agency is in… Read more »

Survey Shows SSA Needs To Boost Online Customer Usage

The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College routinely conducts surveys and studies focused on the Social Security Administration and a recent survey conducted showed that Social Security would benefit if more customers were using online tools to conduct business, especially considering current limited service options that were established in March 2020 due to the… Read more »

Report From OIG Shows Vocational Rehabilitation Not Very Effective

After it has been determined by the Social Security Administration that a claimant for Social Security disability benefits is disabled and unable to maintain gainful employment and benefits are awarded that is not necessarily the end of the claim. Social Security continues to work with vocational rehabilitation agencies in the country to try and get… Read more »

COLA Increase Influences Social Security Bill

After it was announced that Social Security’s annual cost-of-living increase (COLA) would be 5.9 percent in 2022 for beneficiaries, the largest increase in the last 40 years, it signaled the right time for members of Congress to introduce Social Security 2100: A Sacred Trust for consideration. U.S. Rep. John Larson, D-Connecticut said he plans to… Read more »

Senate Committee Holds SSI Hearing

The Senate Finance Committee held a hearing on policy options in an effort to improve the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. Information from the announcement provides resources so that people interested in providing feedback to the committee will still be able to do so and you can see that information below and access testimony replay… Read more »

Emergency Assistance Can Impact SSI Benefits

As we continue to endure the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic many people are still struggling to make house payments or rent because they are unable to work due physical or mental health impairments, but outside assistance remains available. Many people who are unable to work due to impairments are receiving Supplemental Security Income… Read more »

Saul Calls Foul On His Firing

Since President Joe Biden removed Andrew Saul as Social Security’s commissioner the former commissioner has been relatively quiet even though he initially claimed that Biden did not have the authority to fire him. Saul is now speaking up and recently wrote an op ed that was published by the Wall Street Journal. In it, Saul… Read more »

Steps Social Security Is Taking To Address The Disability Claims Backlog

When the term backlog is used when discussing a Social Security disability case it usually meant the backlog of cases that were waiting for a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). Claimants were waiting sometimes 18 months or longer before they could appear before an ALJ, but Social Security has improved wait times for… Read more »