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 was concerned representatives might be ‘judge-shopping’ by waiting to see who the Administrative Law Judge will be for the video hearing, and then asking for an in-person hearing so it […]
Category Archives: News
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 compensation rating of 100 % Permanent & Total (P&T) will be eligible for an expedited process. For more information: www.socialsecurity.gov/pgm/disability-pt.htm.
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. Some disability insurance benefits can be taxable, to obtain more information contact: IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service: http://taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/ IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) […]
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.
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 benefit verification letters can still be obtained by calling the SSA’s toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213. However, due to advocate concerns, the implementation of both of these service cuts has been delayed. […]
The Social Security Administration has announced that it has started to process payments to surviving spouse claims for same sex couples.
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 Oversight Subcommittee hearing on the SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) program. Mr. Sklar presented information on the rates of ALJs (Administrative Law Judges). His full statement at the hearing can […]
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: 382 days Our local Social Security Office is nationally ranked 3rd with an average processing time of 265 days.
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: COLA SSI (individual) 1.5% (2014) $721/mo (2014) 1.7% (2013) $710/mo (2013) For more information please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/cola.