Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Blog

Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, announced that the agency has begun making offers to 144 of the 175 new Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) it will hire this fiscal year. Due to litigation and budget cuts, the agency has about 10% fewer ALJs than it did a decade ago. During that same time, the number of cases waiting for a hearing decision has more than doubled.

The new ALJs will be brought on board in phases with the first hires reporting for duty in April, when they will begin an intensive orientation and training program. While initially handling a reduced docket, newly hired ALJs should be scheduling a full docket of cases by the end of the year.

Hiring of additional ALJs is only one component of the plan the agency has put in place to reduce the backlog of disability cases. The agency also continues to make progress in many other areas including opening the National Hearing Center, completing the nationwide roll-out of the Quick Disability Determination Process, implementing compassionate allowances and eliminating aged cases. More information about Social Security's plan is available at www.socialsecurity.gov/disability under the heading What's New.

Posted by Martin, Banks, Pond, Lehocky & Wilson | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: social security law

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Every year, approximately three months before your birthday, the Social Security Administration will send workers over the age of 25 a Social Security Statement. This Earning Statement, as it is often referred to, is an easy-to-read, personal record of the earnings on which you have paid Social Security taxes during your working years. This form also gives you an estimate of benefit payments that you and your family may qualify for now and in the future. Unfortunately, most Americans pay little attention to this green and white piece of paper, often times discarding it. If you are interested in applying for Social Security Disability benefits, this statement can help determine whether you qualify for benefits. If you did throw your statement away, don't worry! We tell you how to get a new Statement later in this article.

Many wonder if they are eligible to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. A good rule of thumb to determine eligibility is this: if you have worked and paid Social Security taxes for five out of the last ten years, you are more than likely eligible for benefits. However, it is possible that although you worked for the past five years, you did not earn enough credits to qualify. That is why the Social Security Earning Statement is so important. Within this statement, Social Security specifically indicated whether or not you have earned enough credits to qualify. If you have earned enough credits to qualify for disability, Social Security will indicate what your monthly benefit rate will be if you are found to be disabled. If you have not earned enough credits to qualify, Social Security will tell you exactly how many credits you are short.

Continue reading "The Social Security Earning Statement - What You Need to Know" »

Posted by Martin, Banks, Pond, Lehocky & Wilson | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: social security law

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