Articles Posted in Social Security Administration (SSA)

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Three former heads of the Social Security Administration (SSA) have called on lawmakers to make budgeting fixes to help resolve the worsening customer service issues plaguing the agency since budgeting cuts went into effect. The letter by the three former Commissioners – Ken Apfel, Jo Anne Barnhart, and Carolyn Colvin – was recently delivered to Congressional delegates. The letter calls on lawmakers to remove the SSA from caps imposed by the 2011 Budget Control Act. This law has required the SSA to compete with other federal agencies for funding.

The cap has worsened the deteriorating backlog crisis at the agency. The letter emphasizes that in 2018 as many as 858,000 Americans were waiting for their appeals hearings. The backlog at the agency’s processing centers is expected to cross 2.9 million cases this year.

Also, the cap has increased wait times for persons who call the agency’s toll-free number. In 2018, the average Social Security applicant spent 24 minutes waiting to speak with an SSA employee.  Applying for and receiving Social Security disability benefits is not an easy or simple task, by any means. Wait times can be very lengthy, and most claims are denied the first time around. It’s always best to work with an attorney to maximize your chances of filing a claim that will help you recover the benefits you are eligible for.

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On June 17, 2019, the Social Security Administration (SSA) swore in Andrew Saul as Commissioner of Social Security, beginning a six-year term. He is the first Commissioner since Michael Astrue resigned in February 2013. The Senate confirmed his appointment in a vote on June 4 by a 77-16 vote, with 7 Senators not voting. All the votes against his appointment were from Democrats. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (MD) opposed his appointment, citing his unwillingness to committing to making meaningful changes to labor practices at the SSA. Following his confirmation, Saul said, “I am humbled by the opportunity to help the agency to deliver critical services to the American people.”

From 2002 to 2011, Commissioner Saul was Chair of the Federal Thrift Investment Board (FTIB). In addition to federal service, he has experience in state and local government. He worked as Vice President and Chairman of the Finance Committee of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority. He is a graduate of the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania. He also operated Brooks Fashion Stores and Cache, clothing retailers that declared bankruptcy after he left the companies.

If you have been denied disability benefits, there is still hope; contact this law firm to discuss possible next steps.

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The percentage of women receiving disability benefits under the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program has increased significantly over the past few decades. While the gap between the genders in terms of eligibility for Social Security disability benefits has narrowed, the gap in the amount of benefits received has remained consistently wide.

First of all, it is important to remember that the Social Security Administration (SSA) does not consider your gender when it determines your eligibility for benefits. It only requires the following two conditions to have been met:

  • You must have paid into the Social Security system during your employment.
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Women are likely to be at risk for a variety of health conditions, especially as they get older. Fortunately, many conditions that are often faced by women are now covered by benefits under the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. For instance, cervical and ovarian cancer often require patients to seek disability benefits as the disease progresses and makes it impossible for them to continue working. Ovarian cancer affects one out of every 78 women and is more likely for women over the age of 60. Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women, and the American Cancer Society predicts that more than 4,000 women will die of cervical cancer in 2019. It is most likely to affect women between the ages of 35 and 44. The number of women dying from cervical cancer has dropped since pap smear tests became more common, leading to earlier diagnoses.

Turner syndrome is another condition that affects only females, characterized by several physical abnormalities. The condition can also be accompanied by heart conditions, hearing problems, and some level of intellectual disability too. Women with Turner’s syndrome may also be at a higher risk of osteoarthritis.

Rett Syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects only females. The condition is characterized by physical features like smaller limbs, mental impairment, impaired speech, and seizures. A child with Rett Syndrome can qualify for Social Security disability benefits under the Compassionate Allowances program, which allows for expedited processing of claims.

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The number of women who are protected by and qualify for Social Security disability benefits has increased significantly over the past few years.  However, a recent and strong work record is very important for women who wish to qualify for disability benefits. The increase in female Social Security disability beneficiaries is linked to the increase in the number of women joining the workforce over the past few decades. Those numbers increased with the rise of the women’s rights movement and with women’s increased entrance into the workforce in the 1970s. Those numbers have leveled among younger women, but have continued to grow amongst women over 50.

Women over the age of 50 are the most likely to need Social Security disability benefits due to various health-related issues. They are at a higher risk for ovarian cancer and breast cancer. Menopause can bring with it a decrease in bone density and a higher risk of joint-related problems, including arthritis and osteoarthritis. A woman’s risk of cardiovascular conditions including heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and stroke – all of which can leave her disabled – also increases after she crosses her half-century mark.

A recent, strong work record is important for any woman seeking Social Security disability benefits.  A woman must have worked for at least 5 years out of the last ten years to qualify for benefits. As many as three-quarters of all Social Security disability benefits payments are made to people above the age of 70. As women age, they must keep this in mind, and ensure that they have a well-documented record of employment in order to remain eligible for benefits in the event of a medical condition in the future.

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The best gift you can give your child after your love and care is financial security and a safety net that will help him in the case of an unforeseen situation later in life. When you are applying for your child’s birth certificate, remember to apply for a Social Security card at the same time. You can also apply at any Social Security office near you. You may be asked to provide evidence of your child’s name, age, proof of US citizenship as well as your identity proof.

Also, remember that your children may be eligible to receive benefits on your account. The eligibility criteria include your child being unmarried and below the age of 18. However, a child over 18 can be eligible for benefits too if they were suffering from the disability before they turned 22. Conditions for which a child may become eligible for benefits on your record include autism and visual impairments.

A woman may receive lower disability benefits than a man because of lower pay and frequent absences from employment. Many women take breaks after having children to raise their families, and unfortunately, they find that this has an impact on their disability benefits accruals.  If you have children, it’s even more important that you maintain a strong, recent, well-documented employment history, so that you can continue to maintain your eligibility for benefits.

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There will come a time when you are no longer eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits, even if you are still not medically fit enough to earn a sustainable income. When you reach retirement age and become eligible for retirement benefits, you may no longer be eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits. Full Social Security retirement benefits are available for seniors between the ages of 65 and 67.  If you have reached retirement age and are receiving Social Security disability benefits, your Social Security disability benefits will automatically turn into retirement benefits. You do not have to apply to receive your retirement benefits. 

In some cases, individuals may apply for early retirement at age 62. In such cases, they may be eligible for partial retirement benefits. In these special cases, these individuals may continue to receive Social security disability benefits as well as retirement benefits. However, they will not receive double benefits. They will only receive disability benefits so that they can receive their full benefit amount. There will be a cap on the retirement benefits a person can recover, just as there is a cap on the disability benefits he is eligible for.

Retirement benefits, unlike disability benefits, however, may increase with years. For instance, if you wait till you are 70 years old to access your retirement benefits instead of accessing them at age 62, you are likely to receive higher benefits payable every month.

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Social Security checks are deposited on certain days of the month. Typically, these dates correspond to your date of birth. If your birth date is between the 1st and 10th days of the month, your check will be deposited on the second Wednesday of the month. If your birth date is between the eleventh and twentieth days of the month, your payment will be deposited on the 3rd Wednesday  of the month. If your birth date falls after the 21st day of the month, you can expect your check to be deposited in your account by the 4th Wednesday of the month.

However, if you are receiving Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, your benefits will be deposited on the third day of the month. If the date of your deposit falls on a Saturday or a holiday, the payment will be deposited one business day earlier.

The dates are different for SSI payments, so if you qualify for these benefits, check up on your due dates. Typically, these benefits are deposited on the first day of each month. If the first falls on a Saturday, Sunday or federal holiday, the check will deposit one banking day earlier.  If you find that your benefits have not been deposited by your due date, you can check up on the status of your benefits by calling the Social Security Administration on 1-800-772-1213. Delays are normal if you are still receiving your checks through the mail. To avoid these delays, switch to the electronic option, and have your benefits deposited directly into your bank account.

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April is National Social Security Month and is a great time to create a Social Security account if you haven’t done so yet. A mySocial Security account is a personalized account that allows you to access all the information you need. The account is free to set up and offers you access to your latest Social Security statements, allowing you to access real-time information about your statement and benefits. You can also receive estimates of the benefits that you are likely to be eligible for in the future, a useful tool when planning for the years ahead. The account helps you manage your Social Security account without any trouble and without any additional expense.

A mySocial Security account gives you the ability to determine your future benefits earnings. The system will calculate this based on a number of factors, including your history of benefits received in the past, as well as future earnings estimates. You can check up on the disability benefits payments that you are estimated to receive in the future as well as retirement benefits.  You can even investigate the benefits that your family members will be eligible for if you pass away as a result of your disability.

There are several other advantages of having a Social Security account. For instance, you can easily get a replacement card if your current card is missing or stolen. So, what are you waiting for? With all the information about your Social Security account you need at your fingertips, you can get better control of your account and ensure that you receive every cent of the benefits that you are eligible for.

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Being arrested or incarcerated can have a negative impact on your Social Security benefits. Being arrested by itself will not mean a suspension of your Social Security disability benefits.  If however, you have been arrested, charged and convicted of a crime, it could impact the benefits you receive.

If you have been convicted and held for a maximum of 30 days, there will be no impact on the Social Security disability benefits that you receive, either under the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program or the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. If however, you are held in jail for longer than 30 days, your benefits may be suspended. You will cease to receive benefits as long as you are still incarcerated.

In the case of SSDI benefits, however, your suspension of benefits will occur only when you have actually been convicted of the crime. If you have been held for 30 days and have been convicted, your benefits payments will stop. You can resume payments without having to reapply once you are released from prison. In those cases in which you are held for longer than 30 days without a conviction, you will continue to be eligible for and receive benefits.

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