Where the Push to Bring SSI Benefits up to the Federal Poverty Level Stands

Democratic leaders in Washington, D.C., have touted a $3.5 trillion spending package aimed at helping to fight poverty. 

Yet initial drafts have not included proposed reforms to enhance Supplemental Security Income — also known as SSI — that provides benefits to elderly, blind and disabled Americans. 

Still, advocates have not given up hope that the changes will make it into the package as part of ongoing negotiations.

That includes Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, who in June led the reintroduction of a Senate proposal called the Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act.

“SSI has been forgotten by Washington for years — I am pushing my colleagues to make sure that doesn’t happen again this time,” Brown said in a statement Tuesday. “I’m fighting to secure updates to the program, and this reconciliation bill is our chance to get this done.”

Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., are among the bill’s Democratic co-sponsors. Another version of the proposal has also been introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz.

The goal is to bring aspects of SSI — some of which have not been changed since the 1980s — up to date. 

In 2021, the maximum monthly SSI benefit is $794 per individual, or $1,191 per married couple where both individuals qualify for the program.

Those benefits are altered every year with the annual cost-of-living adjustment set by the Social Security Administration.

Still, those maximum benefit amounts are below the federal poverty level. The Senate bill calls for raising monthly benefits to 100% of the federal poverty level — which would result in a 31% increase — and indexing them to inflation.

In addition, it calls for updating financial rules that have been in place for decades.

Today, individuals can only have $2,000 in assets in order to qualify for the program, while married couples can have up to $3,000. Those thresholds have not been updated since 1989.

The Senate bill calls for updating those caps to $10,000 for individuals and $20,000 for couples.

The bill also seeks to update SSI’s income rules, which have never been changed since the program was created in 1972. Currently, for every $2 someone earns over $65, they lose $1 of SSI benefits.

About 8 million disabled or elderly Americans currently receive SSI benefits, including more than 1 million disabled children.

“Fixing this antiquated program could change millions of lives and is our best opportunity to right the wrongs of decades of neglect,” Brown said.

Read the full article here: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/11/where-a-push-to-bring-ssi-benefits-up-to-federal-poverty-level-stands.html 

Contact our office today if you or anyone you know would like to learn more about qualifying for Social Security Disability benefits.

By: Joyce Trudeau of Premier Disability Services, LLC®

Social Security Disability for Seizure Disorders

If you suffer from seizures that impact your ability to work, you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. Seizure disorders are caused by uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain. In order for an individual to have normal brain functioning, there needs to be an orderly, coordinated discharge of electrical impulses. When the electrical activity disturbances occur, the individual suffers temporary brain dysfunction. Seizures can cause uncontrollable movements, unconsciousness, or result in the individual stopping movement all together. 

Oftentimes, those with seizure disorders are not aware of what is happening during a seizure, but some people experience unusual symptoms before having a seizure. There are some seizure disorders that are the result of birth defects or environmental hazards. Others can be caused by low blood sugar levels, low oxygen levels in the blood, abnormal heart rhythm, fever, medications, or infection. Some people even have seizures that are triggered by flashing lights, repetitive sounds, or even video games. 

Those who suffer from seizure disorder are much more likely to experience seizures when they are sleep deprived or experiencing stress or if there are additional neurological disorders, immune system problems, or psychiatric conditions. There are some seizures that cause serious problems, impact intelligence, or even cause brain damage. 

If you suffer from seizures, the Social Security Administration will evaluate your claim under Adult Listing 11.02 (Epilepsy). To be found disabled under the Listing, you must have documentation showing a detailed description of typical seizure activity and characterized by either:

A. Generalized tonic-clonic seizures occurring at least once a month for at least 3 consecutive months despite adherence to prescribed treatment; Or

B. Dyscognitive seizures occurring at least once a week for at least 3 consecutive months despite adherence to prescribed treatment; Or

C. Generalized tonic-clonic seizures occurring at least once every 2 months for at least 4 consecutive months despite adherence to prescribed treatment, and a marked limitation in one of the following:

1. Physical functioning; 
2. Understanding, remembering, or applying information; 
3. Interacting with others; 
4. Concentrating, persisting, or maintaining pace; or
5. Adapting or managing oneself. Or 

D. Dyscognitive seizures occurring at least once every 2 weeks for at least 3 consecutive months despite adherence to prescribed treatment, and a marked limitation in one of the following:

1. Physical functioning;
2. Understanding, remembering, or applying information;
3. Interacting with others;
4. Concentrating, persisting, or maintaining pace; or
5. Adapting or managing oneself.

Even if you do not meet the criteria for Social Security’s epilepsy listing, you could still be eligible for benefits under the Medical-Vocational guidelines if your symptoms interfere with your daily life and activities to an extent that no jobs are available for you to regularly perform. Social Security will also consider your age, your educational background, any transferable work skills, any other psychiatric or medical conditions that impact your ability to work, and any restrictions that your doctor has given you. 

Contact our office today if you or anyone you know would like to learn more about qualifying for Social Security Disability benefits.

See the listing here: https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/11.00-Neurological-Adult.htm#11_02 

By: Joyce Trudeau of Premier Disability Services, LLC®

Happy Birthday, Medicare!

This July marks the 56th anniversary of Medicare. Medicare is our country’s health insurance program for people age 65 or older. Certain people younger than age 65 can qualify for Medicare too, including those with disabilities and those who have permanent kidney failure.

The program helps with the cost of health care, but it does not cover all medical expenses or the cost of most long-term care. You have choices for how you get Medicare coverage. If you choose to have Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) coverage, you can also buy a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy from a private insurance company.

The Parts of Medicare

Social Security enrolls you in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B).

• Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) helps pay for inpatient care in a hospital or limited time at a skilled nursing facility (following a hospital stay). Part A also pays for some home health care and hospice care.
• Medicare Part B (medical insurance) helps pay for services from doctors and other health care providers, outpatient care, home health care, durable medical equipment, and some preventive services.

Other parts of Medicare are run by private insurance companies that follow rules set by Medicare.

• Supplemental (Medigap) policies help pay Medicare out-of-pocket copayments, coinsurance, and deductible expenses.
• Medicare Advantage Plan (previously known as Part C) includes all benefits and services covered under Part A and Part B — prescription drugs and additional benefits such as vision, hearing, and dental — bundled together in one plan.
• Medicare Part D (Medicare prescription drug coverage) helps cover the cost of prescription drugs.

Most people age 65 or older are eligible for free Medical hospital insurance (Part A) if they have worked and paid Medicare taxes long enough. You can enroll in Medicare medical insurance (Part B) by paying a monthly premium. Some beneficiaries with higher incomes will pay a higher monthly Part B premium. To learn more, read Medicare Premiums: Rules For Higher-Income Beneficiaries.

Should I Sign Up for Part B?

With the online application, you can sign up for Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). Because you must pay a premium for Part B coverage, you can turn it down.

If you’re eligible at age 65, your initial enrollment period begins three months before your 65th birthday, includes the month you turn age 65, and ends three months after that birthday.

If you choose not to enroll in Medicare Part B and then decide to do so later, your coverage could be delayed and you may have to pay a higher monthly premium for as long as you have Part B. Your monthly premium will go up 10 percent for each 12-month period you were eligible for Part B, but didn’t sign up for it, unless you qualify for a “Special Enrollment Period” (SEP).

If you don’t enroll in Medicare Part B during your initial enrollment period, you have another chance each year to sign up during a “general enrollment period” from January 1 through March 31. Your coverage begins on July 1 of the year you enroll. Read SSA’s Medicare publication for more information.

How to Apply for Medicare Online

If you are within three months of turning age 65 or older and not ready to start your monthly Social Security benefits yet, you can use SSA’s online retirement application to sign up just for Medicare and wait to apply for your retirement or spouses benefits later. It takes less than 10 minutes, and there are no forms to sign and usually no documentation is required.

Apply here: https://secure.ssa.gov/iClaim/rib 

Read more here: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/medicare/ ; https://www.cms.gov/ 

Contact our office today if you or anyone you know would like to learn more about qualifying for Social Security Disability benefits.

By: Joyce Trudeau of Premier Disability Services, LLC®