Social Security Disability News
March 27, 2000
A CHANGE IN THE RETIREMENT EARNINGS LIMIT IS LIKELY
Social Security beneficiaries who have reached full retirement age
(currently age 65) should soon be able to receive their full benefits even
if they continue to work. Just a few days ago, on March 22, the Senate
passed legislation that eliminates the earnings limit beginning with the
month an individual attains full retirement age. The House passed a similar
version of the bill on March 1. The President is expected to sign the bill.
We'll keep you up-to-date as things progress.
ACCESS FOR SENIORS SITE ADDS STATE LINKS
Access America for Seniors, the site of sites for information and services
for seniors on the web, announces new links to the States. On every page
there are now links to every State home page and every State web page on
aging. In addition, there are State links under topical heading for
Veteran's Administration regional offices, State Departments of Health,
Employment Agencies, Revenue Agencies, Educational, and Travel and Tourism
sites. Virtually every service offered by the States for Seniors is
accessible through Access America for Seniors. The Seniors web site is
hosted by the Social Security Administration.
http://www.seniors.gov
March 13, 2000
Disability Update Issue 1 (from SSA)
* YOUR OPINION COUNTS IN UPDATING MEDICAL LISTINGS
* WE'RE JUST TRUCKIN' ALONG
* HELP US IMPLEMENT IMPROVEMENTS TO WORK INCENTIVES
* DISABILITY AWARENESS FORUMS UNDERWAY
* NEW RULES FOR USING EXPERT EVIDENCE IN DISABILITY DECISIONS
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YOUR OPINION COUNTS IN UPDATING MEDICAL LISTINGS
You have until April 11, 2000, to give us your opinion on proposed changes to the disability guidelines. The proposed changes clarify and update medical criteria in the Listings of Impairments used to evaluate disability in adults and children. A person whose condition meets or equals the severity of the medical criteria in the listings is automatically considered disabled. The changes reflect the latest advances in medical knowledge and treatment. They are intended to improve understanding and usability of the listings and are not intended to be a comprehensive update. If disability regulations are in your repertoire, we encourage you to take a look. http://www.ssa.gov/regulations/proposed_rules.htm
WE'RE JUST TRUCKIN' ALONG
Eighteen wheelers trekking across America...a common picture, but in this case, an uncommon mission. We contracted to use specially equipped trucks as mobile exam centers and labs to conduct the most ambitious national disability study of the American working-age population to occur in many years. People are being asked to be interviewed and then take medical examinations and permit the results to be used in a "National Study of Health and Activity." The research study is designed to provide a more accurate picture of the needs of Americans with disabilities. The study began as a pilot in Cobb County, GA and Granville County, NC on January 29, 2000, and will expand to 80 cities by January 2001. http://www.ssa.gov/policy/research/project/NSHA.html
HELP US IMPLEMENT IMPROVEMENTS TO WORK INCENTIVES
If you're interested in helping people with disabilities who want to work, here's your chance. The "Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999" contains dramatic improvements in vocational rehabilitation opportunities, health care coverage, and community based support for people with disabilities who want to work. You can read the legislation (in its entirety) or you can glance at the loads of stuff, including pictures of the President's signing ceremony, on our web page. You'll even be able to send us your comments. http://www.ssa.gov/work/legislation.htm
DISABILITY AWARENESS FORUMS UNDERWAY
Social Security is hosting a series of public awareness forums to make people aware of the federal and state employment support programs available for those with disabilities. The Presidential Task Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities asked us to plan and host these meetings. OK, so you missed the March 9 forum that we had in Durham, N.C. You can still catch us March 30 in Phoenix, Ariz., and again April 6 in New York City. http://www.ssa.gov/dibforums.html
NEW RULES FOR USING EXPERT EVIDENCE IN DISABILITY DECISIONS
Final rules revising the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income regulations concerning the use of medical opinions become effective April 6, 2000. These rules are designed to clarify how administrative law judges and the Appeals Council are to consider opinion evidence. Such evidence is generally provided by State agency medical and psychological consultants, other program physicians and psychologists, and medical experts we consult in claims for disability benefits. We are also defining and clarifying several terms used in our regulations and deleting other terms. The rules were published in the Federal Register March 7, 2000. http://www.ssa.gov/regulations/final_rules_4299.htm
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