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Social Security Disability

  • Social Security Administration Responsible for $8 Billion in Improper Payments
    Jun 16, 2011


    According to reports from a government investigator, the Social Security Administration made $6.5 billion in overpayments in 2009, including over $4 billion under a supplemental income program for the very poor. Overall, about 10% of the payments made by the Supplemental Security Income program were improper as the program has strict limits on income and assets. Most of the overpayments went to those individuals that did not report all of their resources, according to Patrick P. O'Carroll Jr., inspector general for Social Security. Error rates were much smaller for retirement, survivor and disability benefits which make up the majority of social security payments.

    The problem was a result of some people receiving payments they were not entitled to, and others receiving more than they should have. The investigation also showed that Social Security also made $1.5 billion in underpayments which raised the total amount of improper payments to $8 billion overall in 2009.

    To help alleviate some of this problem, Social Security has been increasing the number of reviews it completes each year to make sure beneficiaries still meet income and medical requirements. They have also increased their technology to make sure that recipients don't exceed income or asset limits. Unfortunately, keeping track of the Supplemental Security Income program is tough becuase benefits can change each month based on changes in income and living arrangements. The agency will continue to monitor its programs to help reduce the amount of improper payments and reduce budgetary concerns.

    If you are in need of a Myrtle Beach SC social security disability attorney, Conway lawyer Dirk Derrick at the The Derrick Law Firm has been handling social security disability cases in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, and Conway SC for over 23 years. Please call 843-248-7486 today.

  • Social Security payments to be made electronically
    Jun 17, 2010


    The days of Social Security checks arriving in the mail will soon come to an end. The U.S. Treasury Department announced Wednesday that all payments from the U.S. government will now be made electronically. This includes all Social Security checks and other forms of supplemental income including railroad retirement and veterans' benefits.

    Money will now be received through direct deposit into a bank account or through a direct debit card issued by the Treasury Department. It is estimated that the discontinuing of paper checks will save the government $48 million in postage and an additional $303 million over the next five years.

    There is concern that seniors who are not used to online banking or are accustomed to their checks coming in the mail will have a difficult time making the transition. There will be a time of adjustment for Social Security recipients and they will also receive notifications when their deposits have been made.
































  • Social security checks may get smaller
    Mar 09, 2010


    The U.S. can collect on defaulted loans by offsetting or withholding portions of Social Security or Disability checks. However, until recently, the federal government could not collect on debts more than 10 years old, except for student loans, which has no statute of limitations. Currently, the Treasury withholds benefits of 3.1 million Social Security recipients in order to pay off debts from student loans, farm and small business loans, unpaid taxes and similar debts to the federal government.

    Under the 2008 Farm Bill, the U.S. can now collect on defaulted loans older than 10 years. The Treasury can withhold up to 15% of benefits, but cannot decrease benefits lower than $750 in order to repay debts. The Treasury expects up to $10 million increase in recovered debts annually from implementing the change.

    The change does come at a difficult time for many Social Security and disability recipients. And while the legislation affects all ages, Social Security recipients make up a large and growing number of people from whom debt to the federal government is recovered.

    Debtors can challenge their debt, but this is often difficult to do, especially when many do not have the funds to acquire legal help. However, the new legislation does require that debtors have access to review and make copies of their files, and have the ability to file for disability and hardship waivers.


























  • EEOC Steps up Disability Suits
    Jun 30, 2009

    The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is stepping up enforcement of workplace disability regulations, the National Law Journal reports. Last week, the agency filed separate suits against Kmart Corp. and Beverage Solutions Inc. over claims that the companies wrongly fired workers with disabilities. Disability bias complaints rose by 10 percent in 2008 to their highest level in 14 years, according to the EEOC.  Tresa Baldas, Law.com  06/30/2009

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