In a big win for the LGBTQ+ community, a federal district court in Washington state ruled on September 11, 2020 that a woman was eligible for survivor’s benefits on the record of her late partner, who died before same-sex marriage was legal (Thornton v. Commissioner...
Disability solutions for you and your family
Social Security Disability
Cost-of-Living Adjustment for 2021
In October 2020, Social Security Administration announced a 1.3% benefit increase for 2021. This cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will be effective for Title II beneficiaries of a period of disability and disability insurance benefits for December 2020 benefits that...
New Streamlined Waiver Process for Certain Overpayment Debts
Social Security has announced a new "streamlined" overpayment debt waiver process for overpayment debts that Social Security was not able to timely process because of the COVID-19 pandemic. An overpayment occurs when an individual receives more money for a month than...
HEARINGS WITH SOCIAL SECURITY IN THE TIME OF A PANDEMIC
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all departments of the Social Security Administration, including the ability to hold in person hearings before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). Since April, the Office of Hearing Operations has been holding hearings via telephone...
I am in manufacturing. Can I get Social Security disability benefits?
There are an estimated 12.84 million jobs in the manufacturing marketplace in the United States as of March 2020. Workers in this industry play an important role in our country’s economy since this industry is responsible for the creation of a product. Examples can...
Securing disability benefits after a career in shipping
The harbors dotting Alabama’s coastline play an important role in the state’s economy. While the shipping industry can be physically demanding, it has provided many workers and their families a stable livelihood. This type of manual labor can take its toll, however....
Advanced Designation of a Representative Payee
Social Security now offers beneficiaries the option to advance designate a representative payee. Advance Designation allows for an individual to designate up to 3 individuals who would serve as their representative payee if the situation arises where the individual...
Community Outreach during COVID-19
On March 13, 2020, Governor Kay Ivey declared an official State of Emergency in Alabama. Similarly, Mayor Sandy Stimpson followed suit by declaring a Public Health Emergency for the City of Mobile. Although Governor Ivey has now eased some of the restrictions...
IS COVID-19 AFFECTING SOCIAL SECURITY HEARINGS?
The Office of Hearing Operations closed its doors to the public almost two weeks ago and began offering some telephonic hearings depending on the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). At first the ALJs could not conduct hearings from home telephonically, but have been...
IS COVID-19 AFFECTING SOCIAL SECURITY??
Per the National Association of Disability Representatives, SSA organized a conference last week regarding steps they are taking due to COVID-19. All district offices are continuing to take and adjudicate claims by phone, online and via mail. SSA is supposed to be...