Just Hang Up!
Disability Link Blog
by Editor
3y ago
Thursday, March 4, 2021 is  the second annual National “Slam the Scam” Day, to raise public awareness of government imposter telephone scams, which continue to spread across the United States. This is part of National Consumer Protection Week, February 28 – March 6. Last year, over 718,000 reports of Social Security-related telephone scams were received —with a total of $44.8 million reported lost. Victims who lost money reported an average loss of $5,800. On National “Slam the Scam” Day, Social Security will work to spread the word far and wide about these scams—and encourage people to w ..read more
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Add disabled people to vaccine priority lists.
Disability Link Blog
by Editor
3y ago
Many states are reevaluating the access to vaccines for disabled people – those with co-morbidities that place them at higher risk of death. Those with intellectual and developmental disabilities also should be included in the list of high-risk diagnoses used to determine vaccine priority.  These individuals  face alarmingly higher complication and mortality rates from COVID-19, with mortality rates up to 15 percent. Current vaccine allocation frameworks prioritize groups at similar risk for severe complications and death, but prioritizing these individuals should be made explic ..read more
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Shockingly low awards in SSI cases in past year.
Disability Link Blog
by Editor
3y ago
The pandemic has hit disabled and elderly people the hardest, and they now also face the erosion of a critical income lifeline, Supplemental Security Income. This past July, the Social Security Administration distributed the fewest new awards of SSI benefits in the past 20 years of available data, to just 38,318 people.  See the full story here: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/14/opinion/supplemental-security-income-ssa-disability.html The post Shockingly low awards in SSI cases in past year. appeared first on Disability News Blog ..read more
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Wear Red Day for women’s heart health!
Disability Link Blog
by Editor
3y ago
February’s 5th is National Wear Red Day, supported by the American Heart Association and celebrated in conjunction with national heart health month.  Be it a lipstick, hat or jacket,  it is for  focus specifically on raising awareness of women’s heart disease and stroke risks. Cardiovascular disease causes 1 in 3 deaths in women every year making it the number one health related killer in women. The good news is 87% of all heart issues are believed to be preventable making awareness, education, research, and resources vital to the cause this holiday supports. The post Wear Red ..read more
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New SSA rules make it harder on claimants.
Disability Link Blog
by Editor
3y ago
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is finalizing two new rules that, in the words of Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), “would weaken the promise of Social Security for Americans struggling with a disability.” One rule would replace the administrative law judges (ALJs) who decide disability appeal cases with politically-motivated agency lawyers. ALJ’s are impartial; SSA attorneys may try to deny benefits based on ideology rather than the needs of disabled workers. The second rule would add a new level of Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs), imposing an unnecessary burden ..read more
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Be Aware of Social Security and Medicare scams.
Disability Link Blog
by Editor
3y ago
No government agency will contact you offering COVID-19-related grants or economic impact payments in exchange for personal financial information, an advance fee, or gift cards. Please do not respond. These are scams. Visit Treasury’s website if you suspect economic impact payment fraud. Report Social Security scams about COVID-19. Below are some of the scams we know about, but there can be many variations: The Inspector General of Social Security, Gail S. Ennis, is warning the public about fraudulent letters threatening suspension of Social Security benefits due to COVID-19-related office clo ..read more
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What about your stimulus check?
Disability Link Blog
by Editor
3y ago
The second stimulus check is already being sent out to tens of millions of eligible Americans who qualify for the payment of up to $600 per adult and child dependent. If you receive SSI or SSDI — short for the Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Insurance programs — the IRS has said you should automatically be eligible to receive the second stimulus check. Just days after the new checks were signed into law in December, the IRS and Treasury began making payments through direct deposit, paper check and EIP card. (Here’s how to estimate your second stimulus check total, th ..read more
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Disability Beneficiaries shortchanged with increasing frequency.
Disability Link Blog
by Editor
3y ago
From Joe Davidson’s Washington Post column: For thousands, the checks are not even in the mail! The Social Security Administration’s internal watchdog has bit it, again, for shortchanging beneficiaries, this time as employee and advocacy groups are pushing for the removal of its political appointees… Just as money is a problem for those who didn’t get Social Security checks, money is one reason the agency can’t get the checks out on time, according to Web Phillips, an analyst and consultant with the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.
Social Security has too much to do ..read more
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Disabled? Take extra care in these Covid times.
Disability Link Blog
by Editor
3y ago
If you or someone you care for are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, take steps to prevent getting sick.  Practice everyday  preventive actions  like MASKS, distancing, testing for any symptoms.  Use sanitizer and hand washing frequently and avoid any gatherings,  especially of multiple households.  Be here for the cure, and fingers crossed till you get the vaccine! The post Disabled? Take extra care in these Covid times. appeared first on Disability News Blog ..read more
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In-person appointments with Social Security based on “dire need.”
Disability Link Blog
by Editor
3y ago
Social Security is only making dire-need personal appointments during the Covid pandemic.  Like many offices, they remain closed to the general public for the duration of the situation.  Dire need exists when you: Are without food or shelter, including utilities or are without medical care or coverage and need to apply for or reinstate benefits. Currently receive benefits and have an urgent need for payment to meet expenses for food, shelter, or medical treatment, and you cannot receive the payment electronically. If you believe you qualify for an in-person appo ..read more
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