FINALLY, SOME GOOD NEWS FROM SOCIAL SECURITY

Due to pressure from the COVID-19 pandemic, Social Security has suspended hearings on certain types of cases until further notice. In most cases, this is good news for claimants who are already receiving Social Security benefits. Social Security is not acting on:

1. Continuing Disability Reviews. This is where Social Security checks on the medical impairments of individuals already on SSDI or SSI to evaluate their impairments. They can decide that a person is no longer blind or disabled under the rules and discontinue benefits. So, no reviews is a good thing.

2 Action to collect on over-payments has been suspended, to the extend possible. If Social Security claims that they paid you too much money and wants their money back, they will not take any action for now. The suspensions are "as much as possible" according to SSA.

3. Disputes or resolutions about representative payees. No hearings are being held on this.

4. Denials of SSI claims due to excessive income or financial resources. This may not be good news for denied SSI claimants. However, if the denial was due to medical reasons, an appeal will still be done and a hearing can be held.

One thing is sure, Social Security procedures and policies are in a stage of flux during the COVID pandemic. Expect frequent changes. You need to know what changes are occurring and how they will affect you and your payments.