News

12 New Social Security ‘Compassionate Allowances’ – Can You Get a Faster Pay-Out?
August 18, 2022

12 new health conditions included in the Compassionate Allowances program may give faster access to SSA benefits. . https://www.yahoo.com/now/12-social-security-compassionate-allowances-143109646.html [...]

Social Security payments: SSI recipients will get 2 checks worth up to $1,682 in September
August 15, 2022

September and December will bring two checks for SSI recipients. This does not mean that SSI recipients will be receiving extra money, it’s all about [...]

Planning for Your Disabled Child’s Future
August 10, 2022

How to navigate benefit programs for children with disabilities – videos   https://www.p2pusa.org/watch-navigating-social-security/ [...]

How to Provide for a Disabled Child Receiving SSI
August 9, 2022

Do you have a disabled child who is receiving SSI?  This article shows options for managing their income.   https://chantalgaudiano.medium.com/how-to-provide-for-a-disabled-child-receiving-ssi-2e835e4fe11f [...]

Watchdog opens probe into huge Social Security fines to poor, disabled
June 2, 2022

Probe into SSA Inspector General’s office imposing anti-fraud program penalties on the disabled and elderly   https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/06/01/social-security-ennis-investigation-white-house/ [...]

How your Social Security benefits could be affected if you remarry
June 1, 2022

Are you planning to remarry?  Find out here if it will affect your benefits. . .   https://www.ajc.com/life/aging-in-atlanta/how-your-social-security-benefits-could-be-affected-if-you-remarry/PIHIMVPG5VACBHXP24PFFL4H2E/ [...]

NEW FACT SHEET ON SSI AND OTHER BENEFITS
May 3, 2022

Social Security Administration has released a new supplemental fact sheet.  The new fact sheet shows programs and resources for people with low-income.   https://www.ssa.gov/thirdparty/groups/whatsnew.html [...]

ABLE Accounts Give Disabled More Financial Freedom
April 28, 2022

ABLE accounts allow disabled individuals to save without threatening their eligibility for Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income. Find out how to qualify [...]

The Affordable Connectivity Program Can Help SSI Recipients Get Internet Access
April 25, 2022

Do you find internet access unaffordable?  Find out more about the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), and if you are eligible.   https://blog.ssa.gov/the-affordable-connectivity-program-can-help-ssi-recipients-get-internet-access/ [...]

SSA Field Offices Reopen to the Public Thursday, April 7
April 4, 2022

In a press release dated April 4, 2022, the Acting Commissioner of Social Security, Kilolo Kijakazi, announced that in-person services will resume at local Social [...]

What to expect when U.S. Social Security field offices reopen in April
March 24, 2022

With the upcoming reopening of Social Security field offices, what can you expect?   https://www.reuters.com/markets/wealth/what-expect-when-us-social-security-field-offices-reopen-april-2022-03-24/ [...]

SSA Adding Appointments and Opening to Walk-Ins Soon
March 15, 2022

SSA announces that, starting in early April, they will add more in-person appointments and will begin offering in-person service for those without an appointment.   [...]

These 13 states tax residents’ Social Security benefits. Do you live in one of them?
March 10, 2022

While it is common knowledge that the IRS taxes your retirement benefits once provisional income exceeds certain amounts, but do you need to worry about [...]

SSA Introducing Electronic Protective Filing Tool for SSI
March 10, 2022

SSA has announced the upcoming launch of an electronic Protective Filing Tool (ePFT) for people who wish to apply for SSI and third parties that [...]

5 Ways to Beat the Social Security Bureaucracy
March 8, 2022

Feel like you’re not getting the answers you need from Social Security? Take these steps to improve your odds of customer service success. ​​ Avoid [...]

Adults with Disabilities Cluster in Regions
March 2, 2022

When workers develop disabilities on the job, it often has some connection to where they live. The hot spots, described in new research, represent areas [...]

Social Security Administration – Agency Reentry
February 23, 2022

News Release SOCIAL SECURITY   Statement from Kilolo Kijakazi, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, about Agency Reentry “I am very pleased to share that we [...]

We’re Fast Approaching One Million People Awaiting Decisions
February 23, 2022

We are heading towards a dismal threshold; at the state agencies the Social Security Administration (SSA) contracts with for initial-level medical determinations and the first [...]

‘You’re on hold forever.’ Social Security applicants complain about agency’s long waits
February 23, 2022

“You call, and you’re on hold forever,” Latsha said. “For three weeks now, I’ve been trying to get in touch with them.” “The pandemic didn’t [...]

Don’t be scared to talk about disabilities. Here’s what to know and what to say
February 23, 2022

More than 1 billion people — nearly 15% of the world’s population — experience some form of disability. In the United States alone, about 61 [...]

SSA reaches deal to resume some in-person disability claims hearings starting in May
February 23, 2022

The Social Security Administration plans to resume some in-person disability claims hearings this spring, after holding remote hearings for nearly two years. Judges can continue [...]

SSI and SSDI recipients: What to know about stimulus payments, the first and potential second check
November 18, 2020

SSI and SSDI recipients might be eligible for the second stimuluspayment, even though negotiations on a new relief package arestruggling. We’ll tell you how to [...]

An Important Notice Regarding Transition Age Youth!
October 28, 2020

Date: October 19, 2020 Today Social Security released a notice to more than 340,000 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients between the ages of 14 and [...]

Social Security Announces 1.3 Percent Benefit Increase for 2021
October 13, 2020

Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for approximately 70 million Americans will increase 1.3 percent in 2021, the Social Security Administration announced today. The 1.3 [...]

The IRS Extends Deadline to Ensure People with Children Receive $500 Economic Impact Payments
August 20, 2020

The IRS has extended its deadline to September 30, 2020, for people to provide information to the IRS using its Non-Filer Tool at www.irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here. People [...]

Social Security & Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
June 10, 2020

https://www.ssa.gov/coronavirus/ [...]

Action Needed for Social Security Beneficiaries with Dependents & Who Do Not File Tax Returns to Receive $500 Per Child
April 21, 2020

April 20, 2020 Act Now – Go to IRS.gov – A Message from Social Security Commissioner Andrew Saul Action Needed for Social Security Beneficiaries with [...]

House Approves Abuser Registry Bill
January 21, 2020

Big news! The Massachusetts House of Representatives unanimously passed the Abuse Registry Bill, also known as Nicky’s Law or Dana’s Law, by a vote of [...]

Columbus, Ohio Is Piloting A Mobile App That Helps People With Cognitive Disabilities Use Public Transit
December 15, 2019

Currently, the app is in its trial mode, sponsored by the Mobility Assistance for People with Cognitive Disabilities (MAPCD) study, which launched in April 2019 in collaboration [...]

Social Security Expands Public Hours at Offices Nationwide
December 2, 2019

Starting on January 8, 2020, Social Security offices nationwide will be open to the public on Wednesday afternoons, Andrew Saul, Commissioner of Social Security, announced. [...]

Use of Video Teleconferencing (VTC) at Hearings
October 9, 2014

We have been inundated with calls from our clients receiving these cryptic ‘opt-out’ notices for video hearings. The rules changed in June because the Administration [...]

Congratulations to Ann Cerney on winning the Bill Perkins Life Excellence Award!
October 9, 2014

[...]

Social Security Announces Expedited Process for Veterans
October 9, 2014

Social Security recently announced an expedited process for disabled veterans. Veterans who have filed an application and meet the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability [...]

Social Security & Taxes
October 9, 2014

Tax season is here again and if you are wondering if your taxes are affected by your benefits there are free resources to help you. [...]

Social Security Announces New Information for Same-Sex Married Couples with Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Claims
October 9, 2014

The Social Security Administration has just announced new information on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims affecting Same-Sex Married Couples. For more information see: www.socialsecurity.gov/same-sexcouples. [...]

SSA Office Cuts
October 9, 2014

In December 2013 the Social Security Administration announced it would be cutting the following field office services: Benefit Verification Letters Social Security Number printouts The [...]

SSA to begin paying some Surviving Spouse Benefits for same sex couples
October 9, 2014

The Social Security Administration has announced that it has started to process payments to surviving spouse claims for same sex couples. [...]

ALJ Rates
October 9, 2014

On November 19, 2013 Glenn Sklar, Deputy Commissioner for the Social Security Administration, Office of Disability Adjudication and Review, presented a report before the House [...]

SSA Processing Time
October 9, 2014

The Social Security Administration has released it yearly “Caseload Analysis Report.” The average processing time are: Average processing time: FY 2012: 353 days FY 2013: [...]

2014 COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment)
October 9, 2014

Social Security has announced an increase in the Cost of Living Adjustment for Social Security and SSI beneficiaries in 2014. The rates are as followed: [...]

SSA Actuary
October 9, 2014

The SSA Office of the Chief Actuary commented in an “Actuarial Note” on the benefits during our current economic conditions. On average there is a [...]

Response to NPR series
October 9, 2014

Recently, the National Public Radio aired a series on the topic of Social Security programs in America. This has prompted a response from agencies most [...]

Free Cell Phone Service
October 9, 2014

A new program, Lifeline Assistance offers free cell phone service to those who qualify. An article in the Stockton Record on March 7, 2013 states [...]

Social Security and Sequestration
October 9, 2014

As you may have heard in the news, sequester is scheduled to take effect as of March 1, 2013. At this time, it seems mandatory [...]