COLA: 3.2%Attorney User Fee: $117SSI Amounts: $943 for individuals and $1,415 for a couple/monthFICA wage base: $168,600Quarter of coverage amount: $1,730Substantial gainful activity amount (non-blind): $1,550/monthTrial work period threshold: $1,110/month
As is often the case, the Social Security Administration is lagging behind the medical community. This time the so-called “long hauler” COVID patients are getting short shrift. SSA doesn’t recognize that COVID symptoms can last for a long time after the test results are negative and, perhaps permanently. Attorney Crawforth has represented several of these…
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…
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…
For years I have dealt with clients who have applied for Social Security benefits simultaneously with applying for unemployment benefits. In Michigan you must certify every 2 weeks that are ready, willing & able to work to draw unemployment benefits. And most people seeking Social Security disability or SSI benefits must be unable to work. Obviously, there is an inconsistency there.
Some Social Security ALJs care and some don’t. There are judges who take a practical approach understanding that people do what they have to do to keep a roof over their heads. Other judges will not award Social Security or SSI benefits to a person drawing unemployment benefits.
Now that point may be moot.
A bill pending in the U.S. House of Representatives prevents persons from drawing Social Security disability or SSI benefits from drawing unemployment benefits at the same time. President Obama’s 2014 fiscal year budget contains similar language.