Exciting Times Ahead for Disability Claims

This morning I had the good fortune to attend a seminar concerning Electronic Files and Electronic Records Express. Susan Brown of the Social Security Administration spoke. I believe she is the project manager for the electronic methods we are now seeing in the Social Security Disability process.

Pending cases are now comprised of 92% electronic cases. This eliminates the problems SSA had with the paper files which were primarily "losing the file," transporting them, and damage to a paper file. Where a file was stored and retrieving it was the main problem.

One can now submit records via fax or computer if the case is electronic. The exhibit file is available on CD.

In the future, for representatives, is the ability to see the file online! These are exciting times as it will permit one to access the file and, among other things, see what is not in it.


FIT Decisions was another topic. My prediction is that private vendors will soon enter this market as SSA does not have the resources or manpower to support the technology.

$250 Checks Are Coming May 2009

The Economic Recovery Act requires SSA to make a one-time payment of $250 to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. The check should arrive in May 2009. No action is necessary to receive the payment.

If you receive your benefit by mail, a check will be mailed. If you receive your benefits by direct deposit, the $250 will be direct deposited to your account.

If you receive SSI and SSDI, you will only get one payment of $250. These payments do not count as income for tax purposes. The payments also will be sent to retirees. If a husband and wife both receive retirement benefits, each of them will receive a $250 check.

DO NOT CONTACT SSA ABOUT THIS ONE TIME PAYMENT UNLESS IT IS JUNE AND YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED YOUR PAYMENT. For more complete information on this one time payment, watch a short video.

Attorney Fee Cap Raised to $6,000

The Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, Michael J. Astrue (pictured here) is "increasing the maximum dollar amount limit for fee agreements ... to $6,000." The increase will be effective June 22, 2009.

This is the first time that the maximum fee has been increased in about 8 years. At that time, it was raised to $5,300. Legislation is currently pending in the House of Representatives to establish cost of living adjustments annually to the fee cap.

My current and future clients need not worry about this change. I will not be trying to change or amend existing fee agreements. Some of the newer clients have fee agreements that already spell out that the maximum is $5,300 "including any increases by statute or regulation." All future agreements will contain that language.

Patty Duke Video Promo for Online Ease of SSA Retirement

"The Patty Duke Show" returns, with Patty Duke in a video for the Social Security Administration. There are 5 videos video can be seen at proclaiming: Retire Online: It's So Easy!

Sure to be a big hit with the baby boomers!

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.