Recent Articles

SSA Proposes Streamlined Processing of Claims to Reduce Backlogs

November 11, 2008 12:14

As baby boomers reach their most disability-prone years, the SSA has seen its disability workload grow significantly in the last five years. In order to speed up and improve the quality of the disability determination process, the agency intends to ensure that individuals who are clearly disabled...

TV station in North and South Carolina Investigates Delays

November 07, 2008 21:08

Viewers in our area filing for Social Security Disability insurance benefits and waiting years for answers. Sadly, some die before they even get a final answer from the government. So what’s being done to help and how is the backlog here, one of the worst in the country, getting reduced? Talk a...

Does Anyone Still Want Privatized Social Security?

November 06, 2008 12:09

US News and World Report asks the question. Many retirees who have reduced spending power because of depleted 401(k) accounts are thankful that President Bush’s plan to partially privatize Social Security was never realized. But the debate over personal Social Security accounts rages...

2009 COLA’s Announced, 5.8% Increase for Social Security Recipients

November 02, 2008 01:25

THe Wall Street Journal reports that more than 55 million Americans will see a 5.8% boost in their Social Security benefits in 2009, the largest jump in 27-years and a development that could add more than $200 billion to federal spending over the next decade. See full story...

Fast Track “Compassionate Allowances” for Disability cases

November 02, 2008 00:27

Social Security has that announced it will fast-track applications for Social Security disability for applicants with any of 25 rare diseases and 25 cancers whose medical conditions are very severe. Currently, many people with rare diseases experience devastating delays when they apply for Social...

Top Disability Insurer Cheated Social Security, Boston Federal Jury Says

November 02, 2008 00:18

By ROBERT WOODMAN MCSHERRY, Andrews Publications Staff Writer UnumProvident Corp., America’s leading private disability insurer, defrauded the Social Security Administration on disability claims, a Boston federal court jury has found following a bellwether trial. Chris Collins, Unum’s...

Stories of Rare Diseases Sought for Social Security Administration

November 02, 2008 00:06

The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) reports that the Social Security Administration (SSA) is seeking input from both physicians and patients on rare diseases. The SSA conducted hearings last December as part of an effort to better understand rare diseases so that patients will...

Congressional Hearings Address Backlogs at Hearing Offices

September 17, 2008 16:27

The House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security will hold a hearing Tuesday morning to look at what is — and isn’t being done — to reduce the incredibly backlog of Social Security disability cases…Currently the nation’s Social Security disability insurance...

New Debit Cards Offered to Replace Checks for Benefits

September 05, 2008 19:52

The Department of the Treasury said Thursday that nearly 2 million Social Security recipients in 12 Western states will receive information this month about the option of receiving their Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits via a prepaid debit card. The government has...

Debit Cards for Social Security Benefits

August 27, 2008 15:22

Social Security recipients can now get monthly payments on a prepaid debit card. The Direct Express Debit MasterCard is being rolled out in 10 states by the Treasury Department and Dallas-based Comerica Bank. It’s an alternative to paper checks and direct deposit. But as with every financial...