Miller Disability Firm

https://www.nytimes.com//retirement-social-security-covid.

This is so awesome!

https://youtu.be/bDp3kNRhsL0

Helpful info. regarding stimulus checks for those receiving disability benefits...

With the SSA’s rollout of this new tool, claimants can see their hearing file with the click of a button!

If you are living within the Vacaville, Fairfield, Vallejo and Winters areas and would like to chat with an accredited disability expert concerning how your SSI benefits are being paid, please feel free to reach out to us at 707-580-9220. We offer convenient appointments via telephone, Zoom, Facetime or in person to meet your needs.

Disabled Veterans can qualify for Social Security Disability benefits while receiving a pension from the VA.

Did you know the risk of disability rises with age? People are twice as likely to collect SSDI at age 50 as at 40 and twice as likely at age 60 as at 50. A ...skilled representative can help with your disability claim! Make sure you find a representative who is a member of NADR. Call 1-800-747-6131 to find help in your area! See more

https://www.kcra.com//california-oks-school-retur/33800252

Have questions? Call us (707) 580-9220

Recession and the Future of the Social Security Trust Fund More questions than answers face Americans when contemplating our nations’ future in light of the CO...VID-19 virus. As the stock market plummets and Americans are laid off by the thousands, it is feasible to hypothesize that we are entering a potentially long-term, economic recession. As I shelter in place, I cannot help but think about this possibility; not only as a small business owner, but also as someone whose clients rely on the solvency of the Social Security Trust Fund. The concerns that I have are multifaceted as there are several moving parts to this situation. I see folks who are near retirement age deciding to retire early. Many folks have reached the eligibility age to file for retirement but are waiting a few additional years before filing in order to draw a higher benefit. If someone in this age bracket is laid off, I think it is feasible that they would consider retiring early. For some, it would not make financial sense not to file as your retirement rate is calculated based on your earned income. If there is a loss of income over a period of time, retirement benefits could be paid at a lower rate. In addition, many folks are seeing their retirement investments decline in value at a rapid pace. These folks may not feel safe in waiting for the economy to bounce back from all of this to recoup their funds. As such, I see people pulling out of the market, retiring and cutting their losses. Unfortunately, filing early results in huge financial consequences. For example, if an individual were to file for retirement benefits at age 62, they would receive 30% less in benefits than if they would have waited until their full retirement age of 67. I have similar concerns for disabled Americans. Many disabled folks who are able to work do so in what are called sheltered workshops. Essentially, these folks are able to hold jobs because they have employers who have made special provisions for their disabilities so that they can work. Many businesses cannot afford to continue offering these types of specialized work provisions and thus may be forced to lay off disabled workers. Similarly, even if a disabled person were not working in a specialized setting, but instead was limited to only certain fields of work, a limited job market would likely mean that a person with no disabilities and no special provisions would be more likely to be hired. Disabled folks in both scenarios would then need to apply for Social Security Disability benefits. Along with the strain of so many additional Americans drawing retirement and disability benefits, Social Security is going to be hit at yet another angle. Rising unemployment rates mean that the payroll tax revenue that funds Social Security will suffer. In addition, if the government proceeds with the proposed idea to temporarily eliminate payroll taxes for employers and employees, the deficit that could result would be very significant. History repeats itself and thus we can look back at the 2007 recession for clues. During the recession of 2007, unemployment numbers did not peak until two years later and continued until 2013. The SSA saw a surge in 2009 of filings for retirement benefits at the same time that the unemployment rates surged. With all of this said, I think several things will happen. We are looking at a potential decrease in inflation. That means that the annual Cost of Living Increase (COLA) that Social Security recipients receive would likely disappear altogether in 2021. As stated previously, claims for both retirement and disability benefits will increase. While congress has promised that the Social Security Trust Fund will be backfilled by general revenue monies, we need to ask ourselves how long this can go on in light of everything that is occurring. While no one has a crystal ball, I think we are safe to assume that troubled waters are ahead. My firm has recently begun offering electronic Federal benefit consulting services via Zoom and Facetime. We are taking calls to schedule these services via our normal business hours of 8-5, Monday through Friday. Stay Well, Christina Miller, ADR, EDPNA

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SSA Closed? Let an Expert File Your Disability Claim or Appeal With the COVID-19 crisis, we have watched as most of California closed to in-person business. Our local Social Security Administration offices were no exception to this closure. They remain closed and have not provided any projected reopening date. So, what does a person do if they need to file a claim or appeal a decision? They are left to figure out the process online, collect the necessary evidence and su...bmit everything electronically or via the US mail. The SSA is taking telephone calls, but they are not able to process all claims over the phone. Therefore, most people are on their own to handle this complicated process. If you miss the deadline to submit certain information or file a required document, you will likely be forced to start the entire application process over again. You could lose important rights and experience serious delays. Many people do not know that representation with our firm is completely free unless we win your case. That is how confident we are in our work. If we win, our fee is paid directly by the SSA in a one-time payment out of your past due benefits. If we are not successful, you owe us nothing. Zero. During the COVID-19 crisis, we understand that people are not comfortable coming into the office. As such, we are meeting new clients either over the telephone, by Zoom or Facetime. We can collect everything that we need to expertly file your claim/appeal and give you the best possible chance at getting approved quickly and seamlessly. Call today for a completely free, no obligation chat about your case.

Hot off the presses! SSI recipients with eligible dependents who did not file 2018 or 2019 tax returns MUST provide additional info. to the IRS to receive the full economic impact payment! https://www.ssa.gov/news/press/releases/2020/#4-2020-7

Below is a link to the SSA’s FAQ concerning COVID-19.

Hot off the presses! Info. re. SSA benefits and the COVID-19 Stimulus Package (a.k.a The CARES Act).

Changes to Social Security Disability Claims Processing During COVID-19 Pandemic If you are one of the thousands of people who have a pending claim for Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income benefits, you are probably wondering what changes and additional delays you will be facing in light of the partial shutdown that has been undertaken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent news from the SSA has indicated that local offices are now closed to the ...Continue reading