January 1, 2009 - Happy New Year!

May you and your loved ones have a happy and blessed New Year.

As we begin this new year, "turning over a new leaf" and resolutions are common. Maybe you have some habits you want to change, or start, this year. Personally, I do, and the New Year always gives one the chance to 'begin anew,' to start fresh, with a clean slate.

I hope the Social Security Administration shares my enthusiasm for the fresh start. The Obama administration takes over in less than three weeks - what changes in the disability process will that bring? I have hope, but no predictions. Two wars, an economy that appears worse than the Great Depression, car manufacturers ready to go out of business ... I'm not sure that disability is going to get the attention, or the money, that it needs to make the progress necessary.

Those that work for SSA work hard. SSA has been decimated by retirements and hiring freezes over the years that has left it with a reduced work force and increasing work load due to the aging population.

ALJ HEARINGS BACKLOG In Omaha, the wait for a hearing continues to be intolerably long: 603 days on average. There has been no significant change since my previous reports in October or July. These days are calculated only after the ALJ Request has been filed, not when the Application was filed.

For a complete listing of all hearing offices across the country, go to Social Security News published by Charles T. Hall.

Will this long wait get shorter in 2009? Probably not without more personnel and funding for the hearing office in Omaha. I have nothing to indicate that will happen, but I still have hope.

Direct Deposit and ETA

The safest way to receive Social Security benefits seems to be through direct deposit. "Your money is protected. Government agencies have rules to protect you in case of an error. The Social Security Administration has used Direct Deposit since 1976 and has never lost a payment. Plus, your money is protected up to $100,000 per depositor if it is deposited in a Federally insured institution."

Now, another tool has been added: ETA. This is an option, especially anyone with bad credit:

"An ETA Provider is required to open an ETA for any recipient of a Federal benefit, wage, salary, or retirement payment regardless of credit history, unless

(1) the financial institution is aware that the individual previously held an ETA that was closed because of fraud at any financial institution, or;

(2) the institution, for reasons of fraud or account misuse, previously closed an ETA held by the individual at that institution."

Carrying large amounts of cash is not always safe and both of these options provide one with a safe way to receive their benefits. Click here to see who provides these ETA services in your state.