Everyday People Matter
On October 11, 2018, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced that social security payments will increase for more than 67 million Americans in 2019 as part of the cost-of-living adjustment. Payments are set to rise 2.8% for social security beneficiaries 2019, as a result of inflation. This increase will take effect on December 31, 2018, for the 8 million recipients…
The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently added Megacystis Microcolon Intestinal Hypoperistalsis Syndrome to conditions covered under its Compassionate Allowances program. Megacystis Syndrome is a severe condition that impairs the functioning of the bladder and intestines. This syndrome mimics a physical obstruction of the intestine, causing partially digested food material to be blocked inside the intestine. This can cause symptoms that…
The United States Census Bureau recently came out with a report on the uninsured rate in each state in America in 2017. Georgia’s uninsured rate ranked the 4th highest in America, with 13.4% of Georgians lacking insurance in 2017. This was a slight increase from 2016 when 12.9% of Georgians were uninsured. Georgia only trailed behind Texas, Oklahoma, and Alaska. Nationally,…
On September 12, 2018, the U.S. Census Bureau released a report on poverty and earnings in America, emphasizing the major issues facing many Americans. The data showed that 39.7 million Americans lived in poverty in 2017, comprising 12.3% of all Americans, down 0.4% from 12.7% in 2016. The report also showed that the U.S. poverty rate has decreased since 2010,…
The Social Security Board of Trustees recently released their report for 2018. The report has few surprises for disability benefits attorneys–it predicts a 75-year deficit of 2.84% of payroll and that the trust fund will be depleted by 2034. However, the report released in June 2018 also estimates that disability rolls are dropping and will continue to decline in the future.…
The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides disability beneficiaries a number of tools to help them take charge of their benefits, including the Social Security Disability Calculator. This detailed calculator can be used not just to determine past benefits you received but also to estimate the benefits that you may be eligible for in the future. This calculator is available in…
If you are applying for Social Security disability benefits or are already receiving benefits, it is imperative that you create a my Social Security account. This is one of the most important tools that will help you manage your transactions. Opening an account is free. It is also easy and quick. To create an account, log on to SocialSecurity.gov/myaccount and select…
Older Americans, ages 65 and older, are increasingly filing for bankruptcy, with the rate more than tripling since 1991, according to a study from the Consumer Bankruptcy Project titled “Graying of U.S. Bankruptcy: Fallout from Life in a Risk Society.” Between 2013 and 2016, 12.2% of individuals ages 65-74 filed for bankruptcy annually versus 2.1% in 1991. This trend cannot…
Many Americans are currently satisfied with the growing economy. Unemployment is down. Currently only 3.9% of Americans list themselves as looking for work today; down from 4.9% in October 2016. Typically, in periods of low unemployment, wages are expected to increase. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, today’s real average hourly wage is $10.76 per hour. In October of…
Georgia does not require employers to provide for paid sick leave. Paid sick leave is not only important for an individual’s health, but also for one’s financial security. There are 34.2 million employees in the private sector in America without paid sick benefits. This not only affects the health of these individuals, but also their likelihood of living in poverty.…