HOW COVID-19 HAS CHANGED SOCIAL SECURITY

The COVID pandemic has changed the world. It has made profound changes in the way Social Security operates. Here are a few of the changes:

1. All Social Security offices in the United States are closed to visitors. The doors are locked. You must conduct business by telephone or the internet at socialsecurity.gov.

2. In person hearings are no longer available. All hearings are now conducted by telephone conference call. Your representative can still participate. They may transition to video teleconference hearings by December, 2020.

3. It may take longer to get results. Many employees of the Social Security Administration are now working from home. The pandemic can result in your having to wait longer to get a response.

4. Social Security suspended the collection of FICA tax from workers and their employers starting in September, 2020. These taxes will resume on January 1, 2020. The impact of this may mean that Social Security has less funding in 2020. No benefits are expected to be delayed or missed.

Most disability claimants have always found the an attorney or "representative" can be of great assistance. Now, more than ever, representation can help you navigate the troubled waters of Social Security disability.