SSA IS NOT Reopening This Month

 The Social Security Administration (“SSA”) had previously proposed that they would start reopening the field offices on January 3, 2022. On December 22, 2021, SSA scraped those plans. In the announcement, SSA does not explain why the field offices remain closed to the public, but we have to assume they would cite COVID-19 as the continued culprit, considering the rise of Omicron, which still sounds to me like the name of a sinister Transformer from my childhood cartoons.

 SSA claims that they are open to serve the public via telephone and through internet service, but as the online comments to SSA’s announcement suggest, phone service has been basically impossible to utilize due to long hold times and staff shortages. I would like to say the online commenters are exaggerating as to their difficulties getting through to SSA, but they are not. We have been experiencing the same difficulties getting through to SSA since they closed their doors almost two years ago on March 17, 2020. Likewise, SSA still offers only limited online services, so not all business that needs to be conducted with SSA can be done online.  

 While we were still able to get through SSA’s phone to some degree in 2020, we have noticed that it is rare to get through to the local Southern California field offices over the last 6 months. Hold times regularly exceed 45 minutes and then the phone line appears to “time out” and disconnect at various intervals, depending on the particular SSA field office that you call.

 I actually got through to SSA Watts on December 23^rd. I spoke to a lovely woman (she was truly one of the nicest SSA employees that I had ever spoken to), but she tried various extensions of employees working from home to address my client’s claim and could not get any of the SSA caseworkers to answer their phones. I appreciated her efforts, but I made no progress on the claim in spite of being on the phone for over 40 minutes with SSA Watts. She had me leave a message on one gentleman’s voicemail whom she thought “might” be able to look into my client’s claim, but eleven days later, he has not returned my call.  

 SSA has the technological advancements of a company from 1988. They don’t allow the public to email them, so you have to mail items in by snail mail or fax in materials…..yes, fax. Remember those archaic fax machines that were mostly purged by companies over the last decade? That is SSA’s idea of current technological practices. We have also been told that SSA is months behind in opening mail at certain field offices, which has undoubtedly resulted in mail being inadvertently misplaced or lost.

 As I mentioned in previous posts, SSA’s Office of Hearings and Operations (“OHO’s”) have adapted to the pandemic and have offered timely hearings by phone. The OHOs pick up the phone when both claimants and attorneys call in. Somehow the OHOs have successfully managed to adjust to the pandemic, but the local field offices have failed to adapt to these unprecedented challenges.  To the public at large, it appears as if the SSA field offices are making no attempts to improve the dismal service that they have provided to the public since the pandemic began.

 I fully understand that the rise of Omicron is further delaying the reopening of the SSA field offices (which I do support for the safety of their employees for January at least), but I do not understand how 22 months into SSA’s public closure they still have not found a way to provide reliable phone service or expand the ways to communicate with SSA by utilizing such commonplace technology as email. I am honestly starting to wonder if SSA field offices will ever recover from the pandemic as the wheels seem to have fallen off the cart to such a degree, that I really can’t imagine the cart functioning again….not in my lifetime at least.  

 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 101.

4 Important Changes for 2022 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 2022

The Social Security Administration has announced a 5.9 percent benefit increase for 2022. This cost-of-living adjustment (“COLA”) will begin on December 30, 2021 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 2022 benefit payments. This is the largest COLA in close to 40 years.

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 2022, that monthly rate is $1,350.00 for a non-blind individual and $2,260.00 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 2022, SSA will consider any month in which a SSDI recipient earns more than $970.00 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 2022, one quarter of coverage is $1,510.00. This means you must earn at least $6,040.00 for 2022 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 101.

10 Interesting Statistics About The Social Security Disability Insurance Program

Last month, the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) published their statistics addressing the Social Security Disability Insurance (“SSDI”) program for 2020.   The findings were outlined in a 218-page document that is available at this link: https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/di_asr/2020/di_asr20.pdf. Among the many statistics, below are 10 interesting highlights from the 2020 publication.

1.      SSA paid disability benefits to 9.5 million people.

2.      The average age for a recipient of SSDI benefits was 55.

3.      The average monthly payment amount issued to a beneficiary was $1,277.55.

4.      The majority of cases granted were based on musculoskeletal system and connective tissue disorders.

5.      West Virginia had the highest rate of individuals on SSDI per resident population at 8.4%.

6.      Hawaii and Utah tied for the lowest rate of individuals on SSDI per resident population at 2.6%.

7.      Benefits were stopped for 892,811 disabled workers.

8.      One out of ten recipients of SSDI benefits were also eligible for Supplemental Security Income payments.

9.      More men were on disability benefits than women.

10.  In December of 2020, almost $11.6 billion was paid to disability beneficiaries.

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 101.

Federal Employees Must Be Fully Vaccinated by November 22nd.

The deadline for Federal Employees to be vaccinated is November 22nd, unless they meet one of the limited circumstances where an accommodation is legally required. Does that mean Social Security is getting ready to reopen their doors to the public in December?  My guess is no. 

I have  a feeling that Social Security will wait until they get through the winter months due to the fact that I suspect they will be weary to reopen during flu season with COVID-19 simultaneously taking place. 

I know I have said this before, but while Social Security's hearing offices are functioning very well during the pandemic, it is near impossible to get through to the local Social Security offices when working on the lower levels of the claims. The longer that Social Security's field offices stays closed to the public, the further they fall behind. 

The problem is that many of the employees who staff the field offices do not want to stop working remotely and are threatening to quit if they are forced to return to the office. I get that people prefer to work from home, but it only works if all employees work diligently. I think there are too many bad apples who take the work-from-home initiative as a paid vacation and have ruined the prospect of a more permanent work-from-home program for the SSA employees who took it seriously and did not abuse the opportunity. 

This is a problem that both the Feds and the private sector have faced. Not everyone can work effectively from home and stay focused in a home environment. The million dollar question is how do you set up an employment structure that allows proactive employees to work from home, while forcing employees who struggle working from home to return to the office? I cannot even imagine the back and forth arguments that are taking place at Social Security in regards to this issue. I just keep telling my clients that Social Security will probably reopen their doors sometime in 2022, but until that happens, they need to be prepared for delays and subpar service when dealing with the local field offices. 

Got a question that you need answered? Please check out our website at www.westcoastdisability.com . We try to provide you with valuable information on our website that may help you navigate the Social Security Disability process. Also, feel free to shoot us an email at megan@westcoastdisability.com or call us at (800) 459-3017. 

SSA Trust Funds Projected to Be Depleted By 2034

 Social Security issued a press release on August 31, 2021, revealing that the combined assets of reserves for both the retirement and disability funds will be depleted by 2034. This means that only 78 percent of an individual's benefits would be payable at that time. For more information about this projection, please read the press release at: https://www.ssa.gov/news/press/releases/2021/#8-2021-2

Got a question that you need answered? Please check out our website at www.westcoastdisability.com . We try to provide you with valuable information on our website that may help you navigate the Social Security Disability process. Also, feel free to shoot us an email at megan@westcoastdisability.com or call us at (800) 459-3017. 

The Social Security Administrations Announces 12 New Compassionate Allowances Conditions

The Social Security Administration (“SSA”) added 12 new Compassionate Allowances conditions to the Compassionate Allowances program. This brings the total number of conditions on the list to 254. Disabilities that comprise the Compassionate Allowance list represent the most serious disabilities that affect individuals. The purpose of the program is to expedite disability decisions, so individuals suffering from these severe diseases receive their benefit decisions as quick as possible. Close to 700,000 people with life-threatening disabilities have received their benefits through this expedited process.  The new additions include:

1.          Charlevoix Saguenay Spastic Ataxia (ARSACS)

2.          Choroid Plexus Carcinoma

3.          CIC-rearranged Sarcoma,

4.          Congenital Zika Syndrome

5.          Desmoplastic Mesothelioma

6.          Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy – Adult

7.          Pericardial Mesothelioma

8.          Refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma

9.          Renpenning Syndrome

10.      SCN8A Related Epilepsy with Encephalopathy

11.      SYNGAP1-related NSID

12.      Taybi-Linder Syndrome

To see a complete list of all the impairments which qualify for the Compassionate Allowances program, visit this website: https://www.ssa.gov/news/press/releases/2021/#8-2021-1

Got a question that you need answered? Please check out our website at www.westcoastdisability.com. We try to provide you with valuable information on our website that may help you navigate the Social Security Disability process. Also, feel free to shoot us an email at megan@westcoastdisability.com or call us at (800) 459-3017.

Social Security’s Commissioner Fired By President Biden In A Changing Of The Guard

July 9, 2021 marked a “changing of the guard” at the Social Security Administration. Commissioner Andrew Saul, a Former President Donald Trump appointee, was fired by President Biden after Saul refused to resign. In his place, President Biden hired Kilolo Kijakazi to be the Acting Commissioner.

The firing is not without controversy, though is any firing? Saul is claiming the firing is unlawful as his six-year term is not set to expire until 2025. However, there are Supreme Court decisions that indicate that a President has the authority to fire the head of an independent agency. Saul, for his part, has gone to the media to state that his firing violates a law created to protect an agency from partisanship.

I never understood why Trump appointed Saul to begin with. Andrew Saul didn’t seem to have any experience that would be helpful to SSA, though I understand both Trump, and he, attended Wharton School of the UPENN together. As is commonly seen in the political realm, sometimes career advancement is not based on what you know, but who you know.

However, there were two things I liked about Saul.  First, Andrew Saul understood that by embracing technology, SSA could become more efficient in the processing of benefit claims. Even prior to the pandemic, it was very difficult to get exceptional customer service at SSA’s field offices. Thus, as SSA began to add more and more services online, the less the public, and their representatives, would even have to contact personnel at the field offices.

Second, Saul recognizes the reality that SSA’s continued work-at-home protocol during the pandemic, and refusal to open their doors to the public, has had disastrous consequences when it came to the timely processing of claims. SSA is trying to claim that an internal survey indicated that 80 percent of the field office staff stated they are “more productive” when they work from home. Well…if you believe that, then I am unicorn trainer in my spare time. Would you like to purchase one of my rainbow-colored unicorns? They have the ability to jump over the moon.

The reality is it is impossible to get through SSA’s phone lines. Mail is not being opened in the timely manner and SSA CONTINUES to blame the poor service on the pandemic, in spite of the fact that the lion-share of the private sector has adapted to the challenges of the pandemic and are working successfully.

Let me clarify one thing. I am not talking about the Office of Hearings Operations (“OHO”). I am talking about the SSA field offices. The OHO staff have been the rock stars of the pandemic when it comes to customer service. In fact, if the entire OHO staff wants to work at home for the rest of their lives, I support it. They answer calls, return calls, send letters, get decisions out rapidly, and have managed to drastically reduce the hearing waiting time in the midst of the pandemic. They have actually improved their service during the pandemic. Conversely, the SSA field offices appear to be marginally operational right now. Saul understood this, and by seeking to reopen the field offices, he cemented his fate.

Am I glad that Biden has appointed an Acting Commissioner who actually has knowledge and experience in the disability and retirement sector?  Of course I am! However, the sudden departure of Andrew Saul leaves the reopening status in question, an indefinite limbo, that is negatively impacting the disabled and the retired.

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 101.