If you are a Social Security beneficiary, expect to see your benefit increase next year. All SSDI and SSI disability recipients will receive a 1.3 percent COLA for 2021. COLA stands for “Cost of Living Adjustment”. Social Security annually increases benefits to counteract inflation.
For those of us in Social Security law practice, it is evident that the hearing offices in Northern California, Reno and Hawaii are taking longer to issue written decisions following hearings. It has been publicized that the waiting times to obtain hearings has slowed across the U.S., and we have passed along the statistics showing these delays in a separate article.
The Administration recently released data that shows that claimants who are represented at a hearing have a higher approval rate than those who are unrepresented.
Free consultation – There is no fee for the initial consultation. Our lawyers will ask questions about your disability and work background, explain the Social Security regulations and how your case fits into the law, and go over the timelines for the application and appeals process.
Last week, the Supreme Court handed down its decision in the case, Selia Law v. CFPB. The case involved a challenge to invalidate the entire Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a federal agency created to prevent predatory lending. Instead of invalidating the entire agency, the Justices focused on the question of whether the president can remove the CFPB’s sitting director “at will.
Because it can take a long time to collect SSDI benefits, many individuals turn to other sources of income as a means of support. One source of income is unemployment benefits.
Each state administers its own Unemployment Insurance program.
Scammers are taking advantage of the Social Security Administration’s office closures due to coronavirus. These scammers are sending beneficiaries fraudulent letters threatening suspension of Social Security benefits unless they call a phone number.
As the effect of coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to evolve, we’re monitoring the latest news about its effect on the Social Security Administration and the processing of your SSDI and SSI applications. On March 16, the Social Security Administration announced that its offices would close throughout the country to protect workers and benefit recipients from the coronavirus pandemic.
After the stay-at-home order that went into effect in California on March 19, 2020, COVID-19 is impacting every person and business across the state. At the LaPorte Law Firm we recognize that this period is a time of great uncertainty, and the ground seems to be shifting with the rapidly evolving crisis.
The shelter in place order that went into effect on March 17, 2020 impacts over 7 million people across six bay area counties. The order is expected to last until at least April 7, 2020. This is an uncertain time for everyone, especially our clients who have waited for years for their disability hearing and now face potential further delays due to the coronavirus.
