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    • 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…

      a month+ ago
    • 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…

      a month+ 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

    Social Security Lawyer Journal

    • 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…

      a month+ ago

    • 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…

      a month+ ago

    • In the third republican presidential debate, held recently in Miami, FL, candidates offered varying viewpoints on how to address the long term viability of the Social Security trust funds. Former governors, Chris Christie & Nikki Haley are supporting a means test for eligibility for retirement benefits. Florida governor, Ron DeSantis & South Carolina senator, Tim…

      4+ months ago

    • As the congress is mired in a problem of its own making, the looming debt ceiling limit isn’t likely to get addressed because there isn’t a speaker of the house of representatives. This problem isn’t likely to be resolved soon and that means the funding for the social security administration isn’t likely to be fixed…

      4+ months ago

    • Due to inflation, the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W) for 2023 led to a substantial Cost of Living Adjustment of 8.7%. As inflation has dipped considerably the hike for 2024 will only be 3.2%.The CPI-W is measured from the third quarter of 2022 through the third quarter of 2023.The estimated average SS benefit all retired workers…

      5+ months ago

    • During the COVID-19 pandemic Social Security temporarily accepted faxed applications as valid signed applications. But no more. Since the Public Emergency ended 5-11-23 Social Security is no longer accepting faxed applications as valid. A valid application must by on an agency-prescribed form, signed beneath the penalty clause by a proper applicant and filed with the…

      6+ months ago

    • On July 26, 2023 President Joseph Biden announced his intent to nominate former Maryland Governor, Martin O’Malley as Commissioner of Social Security. Mr. O’Malley must be confirmed by the Senate beforetaking office.

      7+ months ago

    • Social Security recipients saw a boost of 8.7% in their checks this year because of the high inflation we all have experienced. And since inflation is coming down, a lower cost of living adjustment (COLA) is anticipated for 2024.The Senior Citizens League, an advocacy group for seniors, estimates the COLA for next year will be…

      8+ months ago

    • Claimants for Social Security disability and SSI benefits may not be aware that the evaluation of their claim is not made by the Social Security Administration but rather by a state agency which contracts with SSA; the Disability Determination Service (DDS). The Social Security Advisory Board (SSAB) recently issued a report evaluating the effectiveness of…

      10+ months ago

    • The annual Social Security & Medicare Trustee Report was released at the end of March and the news was mixed.The Social Security retirement trust fund will be unable to pay full retirement benefits, unless something is done to shore it up, in 2033. However, the Social Security disability trust fund is in much better shape.…

      11+ months ago

    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.

    • State Bar of Michigan
    • Washtenaw County Bar Association
    • National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives

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