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.
Social Security Critic Appointed To Fix Puerto Rico Budget
Andrew Biggs is not your typical appointment made by President Barack Obama. Biggs is an American Enterprise Institute resident scholar who has been a conservative advocate in efforts to cut and privatize Social Security. He was named to a seven-member oversight board that is in charge of assisting with figuring out ways Puerto Rico can solve its debt problem. Puerto Rico is saddled in a burden of debt and the U.S. territory has to figure out restructuring of more than $70 million in debt. Social Security is not doing too well in Puerto Rico either as two of the territory’s hearing’s offices offer the longest waiting periods for hearings on disability claims of any across U.S. teritory. I guess we can just be thankful the president didn’t appoint Biggs to a panel on Social Security. To learn more about this story click here.
Social Security Acts To Get Checks Out Before Storm
Most people have probably heard that there is a possibility of tropical storms and hurricanes projected to hit areas of Florida, Hawaii and North Carolina. In fact, checks for Social Security beneficiaries were expected to be delivered as early as September 1. This is typically two days before the scheduled payment date of September 3. There is a possibility of Tropical Storm Hermine, Hurricane Lester and Hurricane Madeline doing some damage in these states. Carolyn Colvin, Social Security’s acting commissioner estimated that close to 13,000 people in these states would likely receive their checks early according to a press release from Social Security.
“Our beneficiaries rely on these checks to purchase the items they need to get through the storms or for transportation costs of evacuating to safer locations,” Colvin said.
Reduced Applications But Increased Backlogs
According to information reported here, almost 1.4 million people applied for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) from January to July of 2016, which continues a decrease that has occurred over the last few years. More than 1.42 million people filed applications last year during the same time. Over the last three years the number of people filing applications has dropped about 7 percent. Although you would not expect backlogs to increase when the number of people actually applying for benefits is decreasing, but that is the case. Unfortunately the number of applications skyrocketed during the early portion of the last decade and has only recently declined. Considering that an average Social Security disability case takes well over two years and sometimes even longer to conclude, there are still many people who have yet to finish the process. Social Security’s operating budget has also been getting smaller in recent years and there is a real danger that even less budget money will be available in the future.
