#social security administration

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Lorie Konish at CNBC:

The Social Security Administration is set to implement new rules to make it easier for beneficiaries to access certain benefits and increase the payments some may receive. The new changes affect Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, which provides more than 7 million Americans with monthly benefit checks. Those benefits are for seniors ages 65 and up, or adults and children who are disabled or blind, and who have little or no income or resources. “We already know that the benefit amounts that are available to people receiving SSI are incredibly low,” said Lydia Brown, director of public policy at the National Disability Institute. “They’re not as high as perhaps they could be to fully account for the needs that people have,” Brown said. The maximum federal monthly SSI benefit is currently $943 per eligible individual and $1,415 for an eligible individual and eligible spouse. The changes, which are slated to go into effect Sept. 30, are a “positive move in the right direction,” Brown said.

Updates to definition of public-assistance household

The agency on Thursday announced a new rule to expand the definition of a public-assistance household. Now, households that receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, payments and those where not all members receive public assistance will be included. With the change, more people may qualify for SSI, current beneficiaries may see higher payments and individuals who live in public-assistance households may have fewer reporting requirements, according to the Social Security Administration. The previous policy required all household members to receive public assistance. A public-assistance household will be defined as one with both an SSI applicant or beneficiary, as well as at least one other member who receives one or more forms of means-tested public income maintenance payments.

[...]

Other rule changes to help beneficiaries

The Social Security Administration is also working to address outdated practices through two other rules that are set to go into effect on Sept. 30. One change will expand the SSI rental subsidy policy to make it less likely that renting at a discounted rate or other rental assistance will affect a beneficiary’s SSI eligibility or monthly payment amount. That policy, which was already available in seven states, will apply nationally. Another change will make it so the SSA no longer counts food assistance toward support beneficiaries receive from other parties that may reduce their SSI benefit amounts.

The Social Security Administration keeps track of the resources SSI beneficiaries receive outside of their federal benefits, formally known as in-kind support and maintenance, or ISM. The purpose of ISM is to reduce SSI benefits if a recipient receives support from family and friends by treating that as unearned income, Milburn said.

Effective September 30th, Social Security Administration (SSA)’s changes to loosen Supplemental Security Income (SSI) eligibility will take effect.

[askgildaseniors]

Social Security and Medicare are two programs that help support us as we age. Social Security provides financial support in retirement, while Medicare ensures access to healthcare services.

Social Security offers income for retirees or those unable to work due to health reasons. It also extends support to families who've lost loved ones, providing survivor benefits.

Meanwhile, Medicare steps in to offer health insurance for individuals aged 65 and older, as well as those with certain disabilities or illnesses.

When it comes to enrolling, the Social Security Administration (SSA) partners with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to guide older Americans through the process. SSA sends out enrollment packages before your Medicare enrollment period begins, typically three months before you turn 65.

If you're already receiving Social Security benefits at age 65, you'll likely be automatically enrolled in Medicare. But if not, you'll need to apply through the SSA website.

Now, on to payments. Once enrolled, most individuals pay monthly premiums for Medicare Part B, that covers outpatient treatments. Social Security simplifies this process by deducting Part B premiums directly from benefit payments. If you have Medicare Advantage or Part D plans, you can also set up deductions from your benefits.

[gwydionmisha]

Republicans believe a contract with a rich person is carved in stone, but a contract with a union is written on water as workers have no rights those in power need respect.

[snarp]

ohhhhhh this shit is pathetic

Lawyers: "will the SSA start using email any time soon"

SSA: "oh gosh this modern technology stuff we would LOVE to get in on that"

Lawyers: "does the SSA know about the concept of "law firms""

SSA: "we don't believe in those."

[enbyhyena]

i just got an email from the social security administration.

allow me to stare a screenshot from it, just to highlight how fucking predatory and cutthroat the SSI program is capable of being.

most notably from the email, and what i'll be focusing on today: the "food" bulleted point. they, until last month, counted food gifts (from food banks, neighbors, friends, other peers) as "income", and if reported, would gut your social security payment proportionally to the value of the food received. also note that them removing this stipulation does not include SNAP/EBT payments—therefore, if you receive enough food stamps, they will still cut down on how much SSI you receive.

ssi, which is only $943 per month. which, when broken down to a standard 40hr work week, works out to $5.89 an hour. in a world where american minimum wage is $7.25 and the average national rent is $2,000 a month. you can't even *get* $2,000 a month on ssi or they immediately slash you from the program. which forces disabled people to sacrifice their independence, often resulting in them becoming trapped in financially abusive situations. and the social security administration completely ignores other financial drains; all it cares about is rent. when they perform your annual review all they ask about is your cost of rent. they don't care about transportion costs, medical bills, etc. they don't factor that into your living expenses at all. all of this, and they had the audacity to tax FOOD.

so yeah. i've gone on similar rants before, and i and all of my friends know how fucking awful the social security program is. but even after being on SSI for 6 years, it still finds new ways to shock me. food, man. shit you need to eat literally in order to survive. not even money FOR food. just the food itself, and the act of receiving it. this never should've been allowed to happen in the first place, and the fact they're only rolling it back in 2024—52 years after the program's creation—is INSANE.

[elkgrovecabendorgrinchsightings]

HOW MANY DESCENDANTS OF OLAF GRINCH ARE ON THE PLANET, AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT?

[atypicalstrong]

can someone please explain to me why the fucking ssa.gov website has hours of operation. why is this a thing. i am nocturnal and just want to check on my mcfreaking disability application

[enbyhyena]

Friendly reminder that disabled people claiming SSI are not allowed to have more than $2,000 in combined income AND assets at any time. And even before getting anywhere near that limit, at any $ amount above $63, every other dollar is subtracted from your allowance.

The current MAXIMUM amount you can be issued is $914. So even if you COULD somehow acquire and attempt to save $2,000 (which is basically impossible in the current economy) your benefits would immediately stop cold turkey, trapping you in poverty.

Trying to work through your disability is often punishing, especially for hourly wages where income can vary drastically. This is because SSI takes 2-3 months to process your paychecks, and so if you do really well one month and really poorly the next, you won't get the support you need due to the delayed response time from the government.

Also, 10,000 people die a year waiting to hear whether or not they qualify for benefits. The average waiting time is 2-3 years. You are not allowed to work AT ALL while you wait or they will throw out your case completely. Most people are denied at least once before being accepted, if they ever get accepted at all.

There are a record amount of homeless people in the United States right now. A staggering amount of them are disabled and/or LGBT. And our rights are being stripped away en masse, making everything even more perilous.

Happy Disability Pride Month.

[news-buzz]

SNAP Benefits January 2025 Schedule and Average Monthly Payouts News Buzz

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly food stamps, is known to have had one of the strongest anti-poverty effects of any US benefits program. It kept over 6.6 million, including 3 million children, above the poverty line before the pandemic. In short, the SNAP program helps people with no or low income buy essential groceries. Benefits are paid across 50 states,…

[productiveandfree]

Different Types Of U.S. Federal Tax Forms

You're not alone if you're confused about what a W-2, W-4, or 1040 is and isn't. Everybody must know the purposes and usage guidelines for each IRS tax form. When filing your taxes, there are numerous forms available. Choosing the correct one the first time is important to avoid an expensive error. (There are, however, some situations when you can make changes to a previous tax return to fix specific mistakes.) 

Some of the more complicated tax forms are ones you might never need, but there are others you'll probably encounter annually.

1. U.S. Individual Tax Return Form 1040

 The most often used IRS tax form for annual tax returns in the United States is Form 1040. Depending on your age, filing status, and gross income, you may need to use this form. This form may be appropriate for you even if you have no taxable income but are qualified for a tax credit or refund. You can also claim several tax credits and costs and itemize deductions.

 A shorter version of this form, Form 1040-EZ, Income Tax Return for Single and Joint Filers Without Dependents, was formerly accessible. However, the IRS no longer utilizes this form, which was eliminated in the 2018 tax year.

2. Wage and Tax Statement, Form W-2

Form W-2 and Form W-4 are sometimes confused. At the end of the year, your employer provides you with Form W-2, which details the total amount of taxes deducted from your paychecks.

Your employer also sends a copy of the Form W-2 to the Social Security Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, and some state taxing agencies. The amounts you report as income and the amounts your employer says they paid you are matched by these taxing authorities. You do not need to file this form with your tax return because your employer delivers it to the IRS, but doing so will help you report your taxable income accurately. 

However, if need be, you may get preprinted Federal tax forms with their respective envelopes from a reputed facility and file them yourself.

3. Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate, Form W-4  

Form W-4 is not sent to the IRS or filed with your yearly tax return. Instead, you give it to your employer so they can decide how much tax to deduct from your gross salary and send it to the appropriate tax authorities. A worksheet is included with Form W-4 to assist you in calculating the amount. Try the W-4 calculator if you need help figuring out how much tax to deduct from your paycheck based on your objectives.  

If your employment changes, you have to file a new W-4. In the event that your circumstances change—for instance, if you get married or have a child and wish to claim an additional dependent—you can also file a new Form W-4 with your current employer.

4. Form 1040, Schedule A: Itemized Deductions

It's possible that you've heard that you can "deduct" some personal expenses from your gross income to potentially pay less in taxes.   

That is accurate.  

You can itemize your deductions using Schedule A if the total amount of your deductible personal expenses is greater than the IRS standard deduction. 

The seven spending categories on Schedule A include mortgage payments, medical costs, and charity contributions. However, there are strict guidelines for figuring out and claiming these deductions. You may not always be able to deduct the entire amount. 

Additionally, you are not required to finish every line on the program. Just go on to the next category if you don't have any expenses in that one. Complete Form 1040 by adding your entire deduction amount when you're done.

5. Form 1099-INT: Income from Interest 

If banks or other financial organizations pay you a specified amount of interest on your deposits, you might receive a Form 1099-INT from them. You'll often need to file an income tax return and pay tax on the interest. 

You must include all the amounts shown on the form in your return. If the total taxable interest exceeds the $1,500 threshold, Schedule B is usually used to detail the players' names and the interest amount received.

6. Profit or Loss From Business (Sole Proprietorship) Schedule C to Form 1040 

If you work for yourself, you might have to file Schedule C to disclose your company's gross profit or loss. Insurance, travel, business lunches, taxes, office supplies, pay, and other expenditures related to the business are all considered expenses.

7. Non-Employee Compensation Form 1099-NEC

 Typically, Form 1099-NEC is sent to self-employed individuals by every customer who pays them annually. It details the total amount of money received, which you must include on your tax return. This form substitutes the Form W-2 you would receive as an independent contractor or freelancer when employed by a regular employer.  

Self-employed taxpayers used Form 1099-MISC to report non-employee compensation prior to 2020. While it still exists, this form is no longer used to report compensation to non-employees. Instead, other forms of sporadic income like rent, prizes, awards, health and medical payments, and fishing boat revenues are all lumped together under Form 1099-MISC.

In the end!

The IRS may update forms annually, so be sure to utilize the appropriate tax year versions of any forms you must complete. Additionally, keep in mind that your circumstances may vary and that you may need to file more or fewer forms annually, depending on your circumstances.

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[anzu2snow]

I got an email about my student loans. Apparently through SSA they determined I’m on TPD or Total and Permanent Disability. Through that, they are discharging my student loans. (Or they’re being forgiven.) I don’t have to do anything. They’ll just get rid of them. I had an ok program beforehand where it was based on my income, which was nothing, and they’d forgive it about 15 years later. This is just automatic. Much better. Good news. I didn’t know I’d get so many benefits through SSA.

I also tried to contact Amazon’s customer service through an email address I found. Apparently they don’t use that anymore. So, through kdp (kindle direct publishing, I published my books through it) I looked for another way to contact them. The only way to do it was either calling or chatting with them. I decided to chat with them.

My royalties are $98 through the US market, and a little from the Canadian and Great Britain ones. They said before that you can’t get your royalties until you hit $100 in the US market. So, I was surprised I got a letter, a couple of months ago, saying they’ll finally pay me my royalties. They said it’ll be $92. I wondered why it wasn’t $98, but maybe it was taxes or something. I got my first deposit straight to my bank account that was only $6.24. This obviously made me upset. I thought where’s the rest of it?

Anyways, after chatting for a while, they told me I should get the rest at the end of the month. That was a relief. I don’t know why they only did the $6.24 first and not the whole thing. So, this was good news too.

[cksaksen-blog]

Child Welfare Reforms and SSI Updates – What You Need to Know About the Latest U.S. Welfare Changes

Today, several significant updates have been announced in the realm of U.S. welfare programs, especially surrounding Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and child welfare. Breaking: New SSI Rule Changes Could Impact Millions – Find Out How! 1. Changes to SSI Eligibility Rules Starting from September 30, 2024, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has introduced important changes to SSI…

[askgildaseniors]

What do you do if you need to replace your Social Security card?

The Social Security Administration advises that you don't need your physical card; knowing your number is usually sufficient. But if you want to replace it, you can do so at no charge, either online or in person at your local Social Security office.

For the online option, you'll need a My Social Security account. We have another video explaining how to set up your account here: https://youtu.be/826nBxt1gbU

Once you've set up your account, you can request a new card online as long as you're 18 or older, have a U.S. mailing address, and possess a valid driver's license or government-issued ID. You must visit your local Social Security office if you don't meet these requirements.

After you've submitted your request, your new Social Security card should arrive by mail within two weeks.

[identitychip]

[snarp]

They'd scheduled the speakers from furthest-right-leaning (noncommitally-smile-grimacing SSA senior officials calling the "30,000 people/year die while their disability claims are being processed" situation a "customer service" problem) to furthest-left-leaning (volunteer lawyers for people who have been mistreated by the SSA + severely-disabled woman who has been mistreated by the SSA), to ensure that the people with the most-serious grievances didn't speak until 2/3 of the room had left for lunch. Will be interested to learn if AppalRed gets any new volunteers.