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May 15, 2001
To view this online, go to http://www.ssa.gov/enews/enewspress051501.htm
SOCIAL SECURITY LAUNCHES NEW "FOR WOMEN" PAGE
AND ONLINE APPLICATION FOR SPOUSE'S BENEFITS
Recognizing the special importance of Social Security to women and the need
for women to have access to timely, accurate information about their rights
to benefits under the program, the Social Security Administration (SSA)
today unveiled a new website, Social Security Online "For Women." The site
provides basic Social Security program information on retirement, survivors,
disability and Supplemental Security Income benefits pertinent to women.
Larry Massanari, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, said, "The Social
Security program treats all workers -- men and women -- exactly the same.
But because of different life experiences, the real world results are
different. As a group, women live longer than men, earn less and rely on
Social Security for most of their retirement income. They need to know what
the program means to them in their particular circumstances."
"For Women," www.ssa.gov/women, provides links to basic information
throughout SSA's official website -- Social Security Online -- that can be
relevant to women at different stages in their life. The links are grouped
in logical categories to coincide with the various life events affecting
women:
- Working women
- Beneficiary
- Bride
- Widow
- New mother
- Divorced spouse
- Caregiver
"For Women" also provides links to other federal agency websites containing
information of interest to women, such as the Department of Labor's "Women's
Bureau," the Department of Health and Human Service's "Women's Health" and
the White House's "Federal Programs and Resources for Women and Families."
Currently, over 106 million Americans are online -- 53 percent of the adult
population. Women Internet users have tripled over the past two years. In
fact, women represent 49 percent of all those who are online. Women who
visit Social Security Online will find another recent and useful SSA
innovation. In April, SSA expanded its online Benefit Application to
include the ability to apply for Social Security Spouse's benefits.
Since November 2000, interested persons could apply for Social Security
retirement benefits online at www.ssa.gov, the official website for the
Social Security Administration. By completing one application, an
individual can now apply for their own retirement benefit, or a spouse's
benefit or, if eligible for both, their own retirement benefit and their
benefit as the spouse of a retired worker.
While both men and women can apply for Social Security spouse's benefits
online, the fact remains that more women than men qualify for a Social
Security benefit as the spouse of a retired worker. Approximately 700,000
people apply for spouse's benefits annually, over 90 percent of them women.
SSA uses the strongest commercially available encryption to ensure that an
applicant's confidential information is secure as it travels over the
Internet.
To see Social Security Online For Women, go to http://www.ssa.gov/women/
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Social Security eNews
Disability Update
Issue 5
Published January 12, 2001
To view this online go to http://www.ssa.gov/enews/enewsdib011201.htm
IN THIS DISABILITY UPDATE ISSUE:
- SOCIAL SECURITY ANNOUNCES NEW RULES INCREASING EARNINGS AMOUNTS FOR PEOPLE
WITH DISABILITIES
- PROPOSED RULES NOW OPEN FOR COMMENT
- SECOND ROUND OF SOCIAL SECURITY GRANTS ANNOUNCED
SOCIAL SECURITY ANNOUNCES NEW RULES INCREASING EARNINGS AMOUNTS FOR PEOPLE
WITH DISABILITIES
New rules effective January 2001 allow people with disabilities to earn more
while they test their ability to work. These earnings amounts will be
adjusted annually with increases in the cost-of-living or national wage
index. One rule increases the monthly substantial gainful activity amount to
$740 a month. A second rule allows beneficiaries to earn up to $530 a month
before that month will count as a trial work period month. A third rule
allows for more income to be excluded when a student who receives
Supplemental Security Income returns to work. You can find out more about
these three new work support initiatives.
http://www.ssa.gov/work/ResourcesToolkit/rules.html
PROPOSED RULES NOW OPEN FOR COMMENT
On December 28, 2000, Social Security published proposed rules to implement
the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program. The program will provide a
"ticket" to beneficiaries with disabilities to use to obtain employment
services, vocational rehabilitation services, and other support services
from employment networks. You have until February 26, 2001 to comment on
these proposed rules.
http://www.ssa.gov/work/ResourcesToolkit/proposedrulemaking2.html
SECOND ROUND OF SOCIAL SECURITY GRANTS ANNOUNCED
Social Security is awarding $8.4 million in grants to 52 organizations in 16
states and the District of Columbia to provide benefit planning, assistance,
and outreach for people with disabilities who are attempting to work. These
organizations will work closely with beneficiaries to explain Social
Security's work incentives. To see a state list of the Benefits Planning
Assistance and Outreach Cooperative Agreement Awards for FY 2001, go to
http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/ttw-fy2001-grantsbystate.htm
Social Security eNews
Press Office Update
Issue 14
Friday, January 5, 2001
For Immediate Release
Catherine Noe, Press Officer
410-965-8904 FAX 410-966-9973
Please note that there are two press releases found in this issue.
Be sure to scroll through the entire message.
To view this online go to http://www.ssa.gov/enews/enewspress010501.htm
Social Security Administration Announces Increase in SGA Level
The Social Security Administration today announced several new rules that
took effect January 1, 2001, that will allow more persons with disabilities
to test their ability to work without fear of losing their cash benefits and
important health care coverage. These new rules are part of a package of
proposed regulations announced by President Clinton as part of the 10th
anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act in July. Final
regulations were published in the Federal Register on December 29, 2000.
"These new regulations will encourage individuals with disabilities to test
their ability to work," said Kenneth S. Apfel, Commissioner of Social
Security.
The first new rule increases the amount of earnings that are considered to
be gainful employment. Beginning January 1, a Social Security Disability
beneficiary can earn $740 a month and remain eligible for benefits. The
Social Security Administration uses the term "substantial gainful activity"
(SGA) to determine if work is substantial enough to make a person ineligible
for benefits. Under the new rule, the current monthly SGA earnings limit of
$700, which became effective July 1999, will be automatically adjusted
annually based on increases in the national average wage index. This amount
applies to people with disabilities other than blindness.
"This new rule is good news for Social Security Disability beneficiaries,"
commented Commissioner Apfel. "Disability beneficiaries will now be able to
count on having an SGA level that accurately reflects annual increases in
the national average wage."
The second new rule affects the trial work period (TWP). Currently, the TWP
allows disability beneficiaries to test their ability to work for at least
nine months. During the TWP, Social Security beneficiaries may earn any
amount and receive full Social Security Disability benefits. Currently,
earnings of $200 in a month count as a trial work month. The rule increases
that amount to $530 per month and links annual changes to increases in the
national average wage index. After completion of nine trial work months,
the SGA level is used to determine whether earnings are substantial or not.
If earnings fall below the SGA level, full benefits generally continue. If
earnings are higher than the SGA level, cash benefits are normally suspended
while medical benefits continue.
The third and final rule in the package allows for more income to be
excluded when a student who receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
returns to work. Under current SSI law, when a student under the age of 22
works, up to $400 of earned income (wages or self-employment) per month is
not counted when determining eligibility. The maximum yearly exclusion is
$1,620. The new rule increases the monthly excluded amount to $1,290 and
the maximum yearly amount to $5,200. This yearly exclusion roughly
corresponds to what a student may realistically earn in part-time or summer
employment. In addition, both amounts will be automatically annually
adjusted based on increases in the cost-of-living index.
SSA pays cash benefits to people whom, due to the onset of a disability that
is expected to last more than a year or result in death, are unable to earn
a substantial wage. SSA administers two disability programs: Social
Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income.
Social Security Disability Insurance pays monthly benefits to people who
have earned enough Social Security credits. Credits are earned by working
and paying Social Security taxes. Benefit payments are financed by the
Social Security Disability Insurance Trust Fund. This program pays an
average monthly benefit of $786 to 5 million workers with disabilities. In
addition, some 1.6 million members of their families receive monthly
benefits.
SSI, a cash assistance program where eligibility is based on financial need,
provides monthly payments to people who have low income and few assets.
Although this program is run by the Social Security Administration, the
payments are financed by the general revenue funds, not from Social Security
taxes. Nationwide, there are 6.6 million people receiving SSI benefits,
including 900,000 disabled children.
The increase in the SGA level affects both Social Security Disability
Insurance benefits and SSI benefits. The term SGA is part of the statutory
definition of disability that requires an individual to be unable to engage
in substantial work for initial and ongoing eligibility under the Social
Security Disability Insurance program and initial eligibility under the SSI
program.
The trial work period is relevant only to the Social Security Disability
Insurance program, while the student earned income exclusion is relevant
only to the SSI program.
# # #
Social Security Administration Announces Second Round of Grants to State and
Local Community Organizations Assisting People with Disabilities Who Want to
Return to Work.
Kenneth S. Apfel, Commissioner of Social Security, announced today that the
Social Security Administration is awarding $8.4 million in grants to 52
organizations in 16 states and the District of Columbia to provide benefit
planning, assistance and outreach for persons with disabilities who are
attempting to return to work. These grants are part of The Ticket to Work
and Work Incentives Improvement Act, which the President signed in 1999.
Funded by newly appropriated Fiscal Year 2001 money, these are the second
round of grants to be issued. The organizations, which will be expected to
be providing service in early 2001, will be awarded grants ranging from
$50,000 to $300,000. President Clinton previously announced $8 million in
grants to organizations and state agencies in 26 states and two territories.
"These grants will enable the Social Security Administration to provide
critically important information to our beneficiaries that is tailored to
meet their individual needs," commented Commissioner Apfel. "When Federal,
State and local community governments partner with private sector
organizations to support the employment of people with disabilities, it's
good for business, it's good for communities and it's good for all
Americans."
The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 was designed
to help persons with disabilities who want to return to work. The act
increases beneficiary choice in obtaining rehabilitation and vocational
services, removes barriers that require people with disabilities to choose
between health care coverage and work and assures that more Americans with
disabilities have the opportunity to participate in the workforce and lessen
their dependence on public benefits.
The benefit planners will provide direct advice and assistance to Social
Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries who want
to work. As one of the first partner agencies, these agencies will work
closely with beneficiaries to explain SSA's work incentives.
To see a state list of the Benefits Planning Assistance and Outreach
Cooperative Agreement Awards for FY 2001 go to
http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/ttw-fy2001-grantsbystate.htm
# # #
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Social Security eNews
Press Office Update
Issue 12
Thursday November 2, 2000
Catherine Noe, Press Officer
For Immediate Release
410-965-8904 FAX 410-966-9973
To view this online go to http://www.ssa.gov/enews/enewspress110200.htm
SOCIAL SECURITY OFFERS ONLINE FILING FOR RETIREMENT BENEFITS
The Social Security Administration announced that as of today, the public
can apply for Social Security retirement benefits on the Internet at
www.ssa.gov, the Social Security Administration's (SSA's) website.
"People will now be able to apply for Social Security retirement benefits
online at their convenience," said William A. Halter, Deputy Commissioner of
Social Security. "This new online service offers the public an easy and
convenient way to obtain the benefits they expect and deserve. As we move
into the 21st Century, the Social Security Administration will be using 21st
Century technology to meet the service needs of our customers."
Throughout the 65-year history of the Social Security Administration, it has
earned a reputation for providing superior service to its customers. To
meet customer service goals, the agency has adapted its business practices
to meet the changing needs of the people it serves. The 76 million-strong
baby boom generation will create unique service challenges for the Social
Security Administration. Baby boomers are more technologically savvy than
any generation before them and they will expect to receive state-of-the-art
service. According to a study by Jupiter Communications, 14 million
Americans age 50 and older are online and that number is expected to double
in the next few years.
"We are always looking for ways to improve service to our customers," Deputy
Commissioner Halter commented. "Giving our customers more opportunities to
conduct business over the Internet will reduce costs and make our services
more accessible to the public, twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.
But at Social Security, privacy is a high priority and we only make new
online services available when we are confident that the public's privacy is
guaranteed."
An applicant using the Social Security Administration's web-site to apply
for benefits will fill out the online application and send the information
electronically to the agency. The applicant must print a copy of the
completed application form, sign it, and mail it or bring it to the address
provided by Social Security. Along with the signed form, SSA also needs
certain documents, such as a person's birth certificate, to establish
eligibility for Social Security benefits. An applicant can either mail or
take these items to Social Security. The electronic application will
be stored on a database and automatically retrieved when Social Security
receives the applicant's signed application.
Individuals must meet certain conditions in order to take advantage of the
Internet retirement benefit application. For example, they must be at least
61 years and 9 months or older and plan to start receiving retirement
benefits within four months.
The Social Security Administration uses the strongest commercially available
encryption to ensure that an applicant's confidential information is secure
as it travels over the Internet.
Interested individuals can go directly to www.ssa.gov/applytoretire, the
location for the online retirement benefits application form.
Additionally, there is another new service for individuals filing for
retirement benefits. Now, when a person calls the Social Security
Administration's national toll-free 800 number (800-772-1213), they may be
able to apply for retirement or survivors benefits immediately. Certain
callers will be able to file directly over the phone on their first contact
with SSA without having to make an appointment or visit an office. To file
an immediate claim, individuals should have certain documents handy when
calling such as their birth certificate, their most recent W-2 form or tax
return and bank account information.
"At the Social Security Administration, we are committed to providing our
customers with service choices," stated Deputy Commissioner Halter. "We
recognize that the Internet is not for everyone. We'll always be there for
our customers who wish to be served on the telephone or face-to-face in our
offices."
Individuals will still have the option to set up an appointment. They can
call SSA's national toll-free 800 number to schedule a phone interview or a
face-to-face interview. SSA also offers immediate service for benefit
claims when an individual visits one of Social Security's 1300 field
offices. SSA processes approximately 1.9 million retirement claims
annually.
Retire Online Fact Sheet http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/iribfact.htm
Immediate Claims Taking Fact Sheet
http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/ictfact.htm
Online Services Fact Sheet http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/onlinefact.htm
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