According to preliminary statistics released by the Social Security Administration (SSA), the total number of applications for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) went down by more than 10% in 2020, compared to the previous year. This substantial decrease in applications for disability benefits seems to have coincided with the onset of the coronavirus epidemic. In addition, the total number of people receiving SSDI or SSI benefits went down, while the number of benefit terminations went up. Continue reading “Applications for SSDI and SSI Down More than Ten Percent in 2020”
Tag: SSA
SSA Announces New Remote Video Hearings
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced that it will begin using teleconferencing software over the internet to conduct remote hearings for people with proceedings before the SSA. Until now, they have struggled to conduct hearings remotely due to technological limitations, causing delays and difficulties. However, by better integrating video conferencing technology, the SSA hopes to facilitate hearings for people applying for disability benefits.
The Five Steps of Applying for Disability Benefits Through the SSA
Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can seem daunting, especially if you have only recently become disabled. However, it is not nearly as difficult as it initially seems, and you do not need to go through the process alone. Here are the five basic steps you need to take if you want to apply for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA): Continue reading “The Five Steps of Applying for Disability Benefits Through the SSA”
How the SSA Makes a Disability Determination
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is responsible for determining who receives disability benefits under Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). However, the process for determining who qualifies for SSDI or SSI can seem complicated or opaque. What, exactly, goes into a disability determination by the SSA? Continue reading “How the SSA Makes a Disability Determination”
SSA Offices Closed to Public During Coronavirus Outbreak
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced that it is closing its offices to the public in response to the coronavirus outbreak. While it will still have online and phone assistance available, it will not be possible to have in-person communications with staff for the duration of the closures. These measures, while important, will nevertheless likely cause a delay for anyone waiting for an evaluation for disability benefits. Continue reading “SSA Offices Closed to Public During Coronavirus Outbreak”
More Disabled People Opt to Collect Paychecks, Not Benefits
A recent article in The Wall Street Journal reported that a record number of people with mental and physical disabilities joined the workforce while, at the same time, stopped receiving disability benefits.
According to the WSJ, 51,302 people went off disability so they can find “gainful” employment; that is the most since 2002. Meanwhile, 8.5 million people are still collecting disability in December 2018, down from 9 million the same month four years ago.
Continue reading “More Disabled People Opt to Collect Paychecks, Not Benefits”
