Compassionate Allowances

The Social Security Administration has released a list of "Compassionate Allowances." According to http://www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances/ “Compassionate allowances are a way of quickly identifying diseases and other medical conditions that invariably qualify under the Listing of Impairments based on minimal objective medical information. Compassionate allowances will allow Social Security to quickly target the most obviously disabled individuals for allowances based on objective medical information that we can obtain quickly.”

There are 50 conditions on the list; the most notable is “Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis” (ALS). The list was compiled after public hearings. A public hearing will be held to hopefully add another Diagnosis to this list: Brain Injuries - November 18, 2008.

I agree with Charles Hall that “ALS” is a very welcome part of this list but beyond it, the others have not been encountered by me in my twenty plus years practicing Social Security Disability. You can view Mr. Hall’s comments at SOCIAL SECURITY NEWS through the following link.

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.

The Partnership for Prescription Assistance

Prescription prices are out of control. This is not a news flash. Clients consistently tell me that the cost of medication is the biggest problem they are facing.

According to its website "The Partnership for Prescription Assistance brings together America's pharmaceutical companies, doctors, other health care providers, patient advocacy organizations and community groups to help qualifying patients who lack prescription coverage get the medicines they need through the public or private program that's right for them. Many will get them free or nearly free. Its mission is to increase awareness of patient assistance programs and boost enrollment of those who are eligible." you can call toll-free, 1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669).

I have no personal experience with this organization but offer it as a possible resource if you are facing the high costs of medication.

COLA TO RISE 5.8%

According to a press release today from the Social Security Administration today: "Based on the increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W) from the third quarter of 2007 through the third quarter of 2008, Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries will receive a 5.8 percent COLA for 2009." SSI monthly benefits for an individual will increase to $674.00 per month and $1,011 for an eligible individual with an eligible spouse.

IMPROVEMENT IN NATIONAL RANKING FOR ALJ WAITING PERIOD IN OMAHA NEBRASKA

Numbers recently released show improvement in the ranking and performance at the Hearings Office (Office of Disability, Adjudication & Review - ODAR) in Omaha, Nebraska. Figures released by the Social Security Administration indicate Omaha improved its national ranking of 147 offices from 112 to 104 in a short time (July 1 - September 3, 2008). The actual time to wait for an ALJ Hearing slipped a few days from 601 to 604.

See my previous post on this topic: WAITING - Statistics and Rankings for an ALJ Hearing in Omaha Also, see Charles Hall's excellent Blog SOCIAL SECURITY NEWS and his recent post on the backlog that includes rankings for all of the hearing offices.

These numbers are a dramatic improvement in Omaha without the addition of personnel. We can only hope that a new Congress and President will increase funding for SSA and seriously attack this problem. Without the workers, the work can't get done.

NPR Story on Social Security Backlog

NPR recently did a story about the backlog. Many posted comments, even an ALJ (Administrative Law Judge) that handles these cases! By clicking the title to this article you can view the comments, and even listen to the story by clicking here