Blog
-
A recently introduced bill in the U.S. House of Representatives would change the way the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) is calculated for Social Security recipients. Currently the COLA is determined by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners (CPI-W) from the prior year. CPI-W considers the cost of food, consumer goods, housing, health…
8 hours ago -
It looks like the new Social Security Commissioner, Martin O’Malley, is really taking charge. A number of changes have been implemented in the several weeks Commissioner O’Malley has been on the job. Among the most meaningful is decreasing the default overpayment withholding rate to 10% (or $10, whichever is greater) from 100%. This will significantly…
2+ weeks ago
News
-
Summer 2021 Newsletter STILL STANDING…AND PRACTICING I published the first issue of Social Security & You in Spring of 1993. Some years I’ve published more issues than others. The most recent issue was dated Spring 2019: over 2 years ago. The world was a much different place then. Especially for me. Read the full newsletter…
2+ years ago -
Spring 2019 Newsletter An Opioid Story I’ve changed his name. Let’s call him Gerald. He was a laborer. And by that I don’t mean that he just did physical work. He was a card-carrying member the Labor’s Union local. And that meant a lot to him. I represented him for Social Security disability and Michigan…
4+ years ago
IMPENDING US GOVERNMENT CREDIT DEFAULT HAS IMPLICATIONS FOR SOCIAL SECURITY RECIPIENTS
It’s difficult to decide which has been more irritating this summer, the day to day coverage of the NFL lockout (“Its day #138, Neil”) or the daily drama over the impending US government credit default. Certainly the comparison stops there.
Football is game that generates $9 billion and the participants were arguing over how to divide it up. The drama in Washington has world-wide implications for the lives of billions of people. Just like in the fall of 2008, the stock market could plunge costing billions of dollars to citizens of all countries.
I won’t get into who’s right & who’s wrong. Everyone has their own opinion on that. There is plenty of blame to go around. But what about the impact on our citizens, especially the elderly & disabled, Social Security claimants?
From what we’re hearing, the interest on US Treasury bonds will be paid, along with the military and Social Security recipients. Beyond that is anybody’s guess. We might be able to learn something from recent state shutdowns, especially the most recent in Minnesota. Highway rest stops were closed along with state parks. “Non-essential” government employees were laid off. If the debt limit isn’t raised so the government can borrow it’s likely the national parks will close. Billions of expected dollars from Washington to entities & projects will lead to more layoffs. Local businesses will suffer. Sort of a trickle down in reverse.
And those hold enough to remember the Bill Clinton-Newt Gingrich stare down in the 90’s (1995, wasn’t it Caroline?) know the prioritizations that were discussed at that time.
While those already receiving Social Security benefits might be paid, those wishing to apply for benefits might be unable to do so if the Field Offices close & nobody is processing the electronic applications. People with basic questions and routine needs (like a replacement card) won’t get served.
AND….in all likelihood the ODARs will shut down and no hearings will be held.
So be afraid, America, be very afraid.
Call today if you have questions about the Michigan Social Security Disability Attorney and Lawyer Services provided by William Crawforth.
To schedule an appointment call 800-864-1244 or fill out the contact form at the top of this page.
