SSI Recipients To Receive Automatic COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments

Yesterday, the Social Security Administration ("SSA") announced that Supplemental Security Income ("SSI") recipients will automatically receive Economic Impact payments no later than early May. The payments will be issued directly from the US Treasury.

 

SSI recipients with no qualifying children do not have to take any additional steps to receive the $1,200 payment. If you are a SSI recipient with qualifying children under the age of 17, however, you should  go to the IRS's webpage at  www.irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here and provide information at the "Non-Filers: Enter Your Payment" section. This will allow the SSI recipient to receive an additional $500 per dependent child. For more information, read SSA's press release at: https://www.ssa.gov/news/press/releases/2020/#4-2020-3

SSDI/SSI Hearings To Be Conducted By Phone For Now

Quick Update!

I have not been called on any of my cases yet (I don't have Court until next Tuesday), but it sounds like the Office of Hearings Operations ("OHOs") are going to have us do the SSDI/SSI hearings by phone indefinitely due to the social distancing requirements from the coronavirus. We can also request a postponement, but as there is no guarantee that the hearing will be put back on schedule in a timely manner, this may not be the best option. It sounds like SSA may call from a private phone number to confirm the best phone number to reach you at for the hearing, so do not expect to see a (866) or (800) number on your caller ID if you hear from SSA directly .

 

We all have to come up with creative solutions during this difficult time, so I applaud SSA for trying to keep these cases on calendar.

 

 

 

Social Security Offices Close For in-Person Service Beginning March 17th Due to Coronavirus

The Social Security Administration ("SSA") just announced that they are closing their local offices for in-person visits beginning tomorrow, March 17th, 2020, due to the coronavirus. People will still have access to SSA's online services and phone appointments are still available. You just cannot physically go into your local SSA office. Those who already had SSA in-person office visits scheduled will have their appointments via telephone conference instead.

Understandably, SSA is doing their part to limit the spread of the virus. Social isolation seems to be key at this point to prevent the spread of the virus. The good news is SSA is still operational. We only deal with SSA online and by phone anyhow, so this should not affect our ability to work on your cases.

As far as we know, the Offices of Hearings Operations ("OHO") remain open for business. Thus, there is no indication any disability hearings are being canceled. If we hear otherwise, I will certainly post it on this blog. I will also call those of you who have hearings scheduled if the government postpones them.

Here is the link to the press release from SSA notifying us of their in-person office closure: https://www.ssa.gov/news/press/releases/2020/#3-2020-2

I am so sorry folks. I know this has been an awful couple of weeks on multiple fronts. I just hope that you all stay well and don't go stir crazy. Hunker down at home if you can. Hopefully you all got the toilet paper that I was silly enough to think would be available at the stores. Most of all, take care of each other. This virus has affected our whole planet. The one good thing that may come out of this is that we will start to recognize that "we are all in this together" and maybe it will help restore our ability to display kindness and empathy, as well as collaborate with one another. That would be a nice change on the political front, wouldn't it?

Comments Closed In Proposal To Increase Disability Reviews

Comments closed on January 31, 2020, for those who wished to address the proposed rule changes published on November 18, 2019, at 84 FR 63588, which seek to revise the frequency at which the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) conducts their continuing disability reviews (“CDR”).

One of the main features of the proposed changes to the regulations is that SSA would add a fourth category to the current medical review categories.  The current categories include Medical Improvement Expected (“MIE”), Medical Improvement Possible (“MIP”) and Medical Improvement Not Expected (“MINE”). The new category would be called, Medical Improvement Likely (“MIL”), and would allow SSA to review a claim every two years if the Administration designated that a claimant’s chance of medical improvement was likely.

 There is no doubt that reviews are a necessary part of the disability process. However, there are concerns that the new proposed category would allow SSA to prematurely review claimants’ cases and terminate their benefits before they were ready to return to work.  

Comments have been accepted and now we must wait to see if the proposed regulations are adopted.

Got a question about SSDI or SSI that you need us to answer? Please check out our website at www.westcoastdisability.com . We try to provide you with helpful information on our website that will allow you to successfully navigate the Social Security Disability process. Also, feel free to email me your questions at megan@westcoastdisability.com or call me at (800) 459-3017 x 103.

4 Important Changes for 2020 that Could Affect Your Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income benefits

Every year the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) makes important changes to the monetary thresholds associated with Social Security Disability Insurance (“SSDI”) and Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) benefits. It is important to know about these changes, so you are in compliance with SSA’s requirements.

1.      SSA Announces a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (“COLA”) for 2020

The Social Security Administration has announced a 1.6 percent benefit increase for 2020. This cost-of-living adjustment (“COLA”) will begin on December 31, 2019 for Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) beneficiaries. Social Security Disability Insurance (“SSDI”) and Social Security Retirement recipients will see the effects of the COLA in their January 2020 benefit payments.

2.      SSA has increased the threshold value for full-time work.

In order to be found disabled under SSA’s definition of disability, you must be able to prove that you are unable to earn a certain monetary value due to the limitations from your disability.  This value is referred to as “Substantial Gainful Activity (“SGA”). If you are able to work at SGA levels, SSA will not consider you to be disabled. For 2020, that monthly rate is $1,260.00 for a non-blind individual and $2,110.00 for a blind individual. Thus, if you are able to earn such monthly earnings, in spite of any impairment that you have, then you are not disabled under SSA’s definition of disability.

3.      SSA has increased the amount that a person can earn during a Trial Work Period.

SSA allows SSDI recipients to test their ability to work in a program called a Trial Work Period (“TWP”). During a TWP, a SSDI recipient is able to work for 9 month period without being at risk for losing his/her benefits. These months do not have to be consecutive. Specifically, SSA looks to see whether an individual can earn at certain levels over a rolling 60 month period. If a person exceeds certain monetary levels for 9 months (even if not consecutive) over a 5 year period, then the TWP has been exhausted. SSA will then look to see if a person has exceeded SGA values (see above) to determine whether or not, the person is still under a disability. For 2020, SSA will consider any month in which a SSDI recipient earns more than $910.00 to be a month in which goods and services have been performed at a TWP level.

4.      SSA has increased the value of a quarter of coverage.

In order to receive SSDI benefits, you must be insured for benefits. This means you must have paid into the Social Security system through the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (“FICA”). An individual must have worked a sufficient amount of quarters to be entitled to these benefits. Every year a person can earn up to 4 quarters. For 2020, one quarter of coverage is $1,410.00. This means you must earn at least $5,640.00 for 2020 in order to obtain all 4 quarters for the year. 

Got a question about SSDI or SSI that you need us to answer? Please check out our website at www.westcoastdisability.com . We try to provide you with helpful information on our website that will allow you to successfully navigate the Social Security Disability process. Also, feel free to email me your questions at megan@westcoastdisability.com or call me at (800) 459-3017 x 103.

 

4 Takeaways From The Commissioner of Social Security’s Open Letter

Commissioner Andrew Saul issued an open letter on November 4, 2019 outlining some of the steps that the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) is taking to improve service.  Keep in mind that Commissioner Saul has only been on the job since this summer and is likely still learning the complex system, but I like what I am hearing so far. Here are 4 important factors he discussed.

1.      A Common Sense Approach To Change

Clearly, Commissioner Saul is new to working in the government sector, as he advocates for a plan that is rooted in common sense. Anyone who has dealt with the Social Security Administration knows that decisions and changes often take place that seem to fly in the face of common sense. However, Commissioner Saul seems to be pushing a “no excuses” approach to improvement. He seems to understand that the lengthy time frames and backlogs are equally frustrating to claimants and SSA employees. He acknowledges that a reduction of wait times will improve morale at SSA and restore fundamental aspects of adequate public service.

2.      Technology Is Only Part Of The Answer

Commissioner Saul promoted technology as one of his solutions to the excessive backlogs, since his first days in his position. However, in his open letter, Commissioner Saul acknowledges that SSA has to invest in a responsive workforce and perform quality checks to make sure that SSA is meeting the public demand. Thus, he is planning to focus on a “smart hiring” strategy as well.

 

3.      Changes In Service Hours And The Telework Pilot

Hooray! SSA is no longer closing their field offices early on Wednesday, a measure that was adopted to allow caseworkers to catch up on backlogs. Instead, Wednesdays will have normal business hours. Additionally, SSA is ending the telework pilot program, which allowed employees to work from home. SSA felt it saved the Administration the cost of larger offices spaces if they mandated certain employees worked from home on particular days. The Commissioner acknowledged that the controls and data are not in place to determine whether this pilot program was an effective and efficient policy so it is ending.

4.      SSA Plans to Hire 1,100 More people  

The best news of all is that SSA hopes to hire 1,100 employees in the upcoming months. Of course, these new jobs will be completely dependent on the final appropriations issued to SSA for 2020, but I appreciate that Commissioner Saul understands that SSA needs more human bodies to provide exceptional customer service.

Got a question about SSDI or SSI that you need us to answer? Please check out our website at www.westcoastdisability.com . We try to provide you with helpful information on our website that will allow you to successfully navigate the Social Security Disability process. Also, feel free to email me your questions at megan@westcoastdisability.com or call me at (800) 459-3017 x 103.

Preventing Fraud Remains a Top Priority of the Social Security Administration

Three months into the new Social Security Commissioner’s post, it is clear that preventing fraud still remains one of the top initiatives at the Social Security Administration (“SSA”). Andrew Saul, the recently appointed Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, stated that SSA has “zero tolerance” for fraud and that the Administration is “committed to detecting and preventing it.”

In keeping with SSA’s longstanding policy of ferreting out fraud, SSA and the Office of Inspector General (“OIG”), announced expansion of the Cooperative Disability Investigations (“CDI”) Program.  CDI units both identify and investigate Social Security disability fraud. Launched in 1997, the CDI program currently has 46 units in 40 states, but SSA has the goal of expanding he CDI program into all 50 states eventually.

Most recently, CDI offices were opened in Bismarck, North Dakota; Boise, Idaho; and Helena, Montana.  The Puerto Rican CDI office also expanded their territory to handle potential cases of disability fraud in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

As always, if you suspect someone of committing Social Security disability fraud, please contact OIG’s reporting line at (800) 269-0271. Social Security disability benefits are vital to helping those who are truly disabled and those who defraud this important program should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Got a question about SSDI or SSI that you need us to answer? Please check out our website at www.westcoastdisability.com . We try to provide you with helpful information on our website that will allow you to successfully navigate the Social Security Disability process. Also, feel free to email me your questions at megan@westcoastdisability.com or call me at (800) 459-3017 x 103.