The annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) for more than 72.5 million Social Security and SSI recipient for 2025 will be 2.5% as inflation comes under control. The COLA for 2024 was 3.2%. The average retiree will receive $48 more per month next year. The earnings limit for workers younger than full retirement age will…
On 8-27-24, the Social Security Administration announced a large step in a multi-year effor to simplify processes for people who are applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) by starting to offer an online, streamlined application for some applicants starting in December. SSI provides monthly payments to people with disabilities and older adults who have little…
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…
The Social Security Administration has released the so-called “Waterfall Charts” for 2023. These charts show the level of awards and denials of Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB) & Supplemental Security Income benefits (SSI).
At the initial application level 39% of claims were allowed and 61% denied.
At the reconsideration level 15% were allowed and 85% denied.
At the hearing level before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) 45% were allowed, 24% were dismissed and 30% were denied.
After a Request for Review the Appeals Council allowed 1% of claims, 3% were dismissed, 13% remanded and 83% were denied.
Finally, after a United States District Court review 1% were allowed, 5% were dismissed, 61% were remanded and 33% denied.
These numbers are fairly steady from 2022. ALJ dismissals were up 13% and ALJ allowances were down 6%.