Social Security Update 2022
Every year, Social Security provides new information about Social Security taxes, benefits, earnings limits, and Medicare costs. By law, many of the numbers automatically change each year to keep up with changes in prices and wage levels. This information is important for people who:
- Work and want information on taxes and work credits
- Receive Social Security benefits and want to know the earnings limits and
- Receive Supplemental Security Income and want information on payment maximums.
Share the 2022 Social Security data updates with your clients, available at www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10003.pdf.
Back To School Back To Your Future
Many of your clients have children or teens going back to school or even to college. We care greatly about the next generation as we pass our resources on to them. Theres no better time to share our educators toolkit with people who educate students about retirement and saving for their future.
On our Educators webpage, you and your clients can find a toolkit of information and resources designed to develop engaging and informative lessons on Social Security and the importance of planning for the future. It includes lesson plans, infographics, talking points, quiz questions and answers, and links to other resources with additional information.
Encourage your clients to check out the resources we have at www.socialsecurity.gov/thirdparty/educators.html.
Stimulus Payments Under The American Rescue Plan
The most recent stimulus checks of $1,400 to individuals and $2,800 to couples represented the third round of payments authorized by the federal government since the start of the pandemic. To be eligible for the recent payment your adjusted gross income cannot exceed $75,000 as reported on your 2019 or 2020 federal income tax return. Maximum adjusted gross income for married couples who filed jointly was set at $150,000.
If you filed an income tax return in 2019 or 2020, the stimulus payment should have been made to you through direct deposit to your bank account or by check or debit card mailed to you. The payments began within a month of the legislation being signed into law in March. As the recipient of benefits through SSI or SSDI who may not have been required to file an income tax return, your stimulus payment from the IRS will be processed using information about the payment method that the Social Security Administration uses to process your monthly disability benefits.
The IRS has a website set up for people to check on the status of this third round of stimulus payments. If you have not as yet received the payment, go to the IRS website and follow the instructions.
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The Senior Citizens League Is Calling On Congress To Approve An Additional Round Of Direct Payments For Senior Citizens To Mitigate The Effects Of Inflation
The third round of stimulus checks saw more than 169 million payments sent out to eligible Americans, and some are pushing for a fourth as inflation continues to bite. The threat of the more contagious covid-19 variant, Omicron, has spooked the markets and created new wave of illness.
In early January the United States surpassed one million covid-19 cases in a single day for the first time, and then went on to beat that record in each of the three following days. With individuals forced to self-isolate after a positive test there is concern that millions could have their livelihood threatened.
The non-partisan advocacy group Senior Citizens League has called on Congress to send those receiving Social Security additional stimulus money. In a letter, TSCL Chairman Rick Delaney implored leaders in Congress to approve a one-off $1,400 Social Security stimulus payment for seniors.
Why A Fourth Stimulus Check Looks Unlikely Despite The Omicron Threat
Although the omicron variant threatens to derail the economy, chances of a fourth stimulus payment from the federal government look remote. First, the Biden administration looks more focused on getting Americans protected against COVID-19 with vaccines than distributing free money.
Second, an additional direct relief payment wasnt included in the infrastructure spending package Congress passed in 2021, and there’s no stimulus check provision in the pending Build Back Better bill. Considering the struggle to get that bill passed, the White House might be reluctant to open another battlefront in Congress over a special stimulus package.
If Joe Manchin does not have the guts to stand up to the powerful special interests, he’s going to have to explain that to the people of West Virginia who are hurting and hurting badly.
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Your Clients Can Get A W
If you know a client who receives Social Security benefits, remember that they have the option of having federal income tax withheld from their benefits at the rate of 7, 10, 12, or 22 percent. Encourage them to sign and submit IRS Form W-4V directly to their local Social Security office.
This same form is used to stop withholding federal income tax from their benefits. Taxes will be paid directly to the Internal Revenue Service and will be shown on their form SSA-1099 the following tax season.
Your clients can find useful tax information, including the IRS Form W-4V, on our tax preparation page at www.socialsecurity.gov/thirdparty/atp.html.
Social Security Is Here When You Need It Most
Disability benefits offer a financial lifeline when people are struck by a serious medical condition that makes it impossible for them to work and provide for themselves and their family. Benefits are for medical conditions that are expected to last at least one year or result in death. The Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability programs are the largest of the federal programs that provide assistance to people with disabilities. Our friends, family members, and neighbors, including wounded warriors and the chronically ill, rely on these vital programs:
- Social Security Disability Insurance pays benefits to you and certain members of your family if you are “insured,” meaning that you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes.
- Supplemental Security Income makes payments to people who have low income and few resources, and who are age 65 and older, blind, or disabled.
Your clients can learn more about Social Security disability benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/disability and SSI at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssi.
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How Can I Submit The Documentation Required To Ensure I Am Appropriately Appointed As My Claimants Representative Before The Hearing
Date: December 18, 2020
It is extremely important that we have your appointment as representative on file before the hearing. For an appointment of representative to be valid, the claim file must contain a completed and properly signed notice of appointment, which can be found at form SSA-1696, Claimants Appointment of Representative, or another written document that meets the requirements of 20 CFR 404.1707 and 416.1507. Representatives who are registered for Appointed Representative Services can use the Contact OHO Office function in Electronic Records Express to submit the duly executed appointment document directly to a designated email box for the servicing hearing office. You can find additional information about the Contact OHO Office tool at . If you are not registered for ARS, you can use a physical fax machine or e-fax to send the document to the specific hearing offices email, using the toll-free fax number with area code 833 assigned to the servicing hearing office.
Retailers Feeling Benefits Of Stimulus Package
With the number of people vaccinated increasing by the day, confidence is building to go out and spend. More than 50 percent of US consumers expect to spend extra by splurging or treating themselves according to McKinsey. Higher-income millennials intend to spend the most, with their out-of-home spending accelerating as they get vaccinated.
Consumer spending slumped in February between stimulus checks, but with new batches of $1,400 payments going out weekly and vaccination efforts continuing to hit new records people are feeling comfortable going on again. Early purchases will be particularly on discretionary categories such as apparel, beauty, and electronics.
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Will Lawmakers Provide A Fourth Stimulus Check
Dozens of lawmakers have pushed for recurring stimulus payments, but any hope was sidelined when lawmakers focused on the Build Back Better Act.
The social spending plan stalled in Congress late last year.
Congress has since moved on to other issues and, currently, no talks about stimulus money are on the table.
It means Social Security claimants should not expect to get a $1,400 check.
Strengthening Protections For Social Security Beneficiaries
On April 13, 2018, The Strengthening the Protections for Social Security Beneficiaries Act of 2018 was signed into law.
Section 101 strengthens oversight of representative payees by requiring additional types of on-site reviews, improving the effectiveness of the reviews, and providing for an increased number of reviews. The law directs Social Security to work with state Protection & Advocacy organizations to conduct all periodic onsite reviews and additional discretionary reviews. The P& As will also conduct educational visits and reviews based on allegations they receive of payee misconduct.
Section 102 reduces the burden on families of Social Security beneficiaries and Supplemental Security Income recipients. Social Security will exempt the following representative payees from the annual requirement to account for the use of benefit payments:
- Natural or adoptive parents of a minor child beneficiary or recipient who primarily reside in the same household as the child
- Legal guardians of a minor child beneficiary or recipient who primarily reside in the same household as the child
- Natural or adoptive parents of a disabled adult beneficiary who primarily reside in the same household as the beneficiary and
- Spouse of a beneficiary or recipient.
All representative payees are still required to keep records of how they spend or save the benefit payments. They must provide these records to Social Security for review if requested.
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Check Your Old Account For Your Stimmy
WTVR in Richmond have a useful story if youre wondering where your stimulus check money has gonemake sure you look at old bank accounts, even if youve updated your details with the IRS.
Resident Debbie Baker said shed updated her details back on January 2, but the money still went into her old account.
The IRS have also confirmed that it is using the account details it had on file last year. That means that if the account no longer exists the money will be bounced back to the IRS, who will then mail a paper check to you, or possibly a prepaid debit card.
Right now you cant call the IRS to update details, so if the funds haven’t arrived it looks like checking the IRS Get My Payment tool and then sitting tight is likely the best option, though thats tough if the stimulus funds are needed right now.
I Received A Letter From Social Security That Says My Supplemental Security Income Payment Will Change Unless I File An Appeal How Can I File This Appeal
Date:
You can file an appeal by taking one of the following actions.
Online at SSA.gov
The quickest and easiest way to file an appeal is online at our Appeal a Decision page. Select Reconsideration and then the Request Non-Medical Reconsideration button. Follow the instructions on the screens to complete and submit the appeal electronically.
Send Us a Form by Mail or Fax
You may also download, complete, and print the form Request for Reconsideration and then mail the completed form to your local Social Security office. You can find the local office fax number and address from the Social Security Office Locator page by entering your ZIP code.
If you still have questions about filing an appeal on online, by mail, or fax, please call us at 1-800-772-1213 or call your local office. You can find the telephone number for your local office in the letter we sent you or by going to the Social Security Office Locator page and entering your zip code. We can answer your questions and send you the appropriate appeal request form to complete and send back to us.
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Does Social Security Have A Plan That Addresses The Health And Safety Of Its Employees And The Public In Its Offices
Date: April 7, 2022
Yes. In accordance with the Office of Management and Budgets Safer Federal Workplace: Agency Model Safety Principles memorandum on the Presidents Executive Order on Protecting the Federal Workforce and Requiring Mask-Wearing, we have created a COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan. This plan is a living document. We will update it to incorporate guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Office of Management and Budget.
Please visit How to Get Help from Social Security for what to expect if you need to visit a Social Security office.
Celebrating Our Diversity National Hispanic Heritage Month
Generations of Hispanic Americans have positively enhanced and enriched our nation. Every September, we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. It is a time to recognize Americas diversity and acknowledge how it makes us stronger.
Social Security works hard to provide world-class customer service and information about our important programs and benefits to millions of Americans. If Spanish is your clients primary language, they can visit www.segurosocial.gov, our Spanish-language website. It includes hundreds of pages of important information on topics such as how to get a Social Security card, plan for retirement, apply for benefits, and manage your benefits once youre receiving them. Many of our offices have Spanish-speaking staff members who can assist your clients. Another option is to call 1-800-772-1213 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and select the option for Spanish.
Spanish-speaking individuals wishing to apply for retirement, disability, survivor, and other benefits, as well as Medicare, can request an appointment for an in-person interview or telephone claim with a bilingual representative.
Your clients can learn more about what Social Security offers at www.socialsecurity.gov/people/hispanics. And they can also access our Facebook and Twitter pages in Spanish at and .
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Join Social Security With America Saves Week
America Saves Week, happening from February 26 to March 3, is coordinated by America Saves and the American Savings Education Council. America Saves seeks to motivate and encourage households to save money, reduce debt, and build wealth.
Started in 2007, the Week is an annual opportunity for organizations to promote good savings behavior and a chance for individuals to assess their own saving status. Thousands of diverse organizations have participated in America Saves Week and Military Saves Week over the years, reaching millions of Americans.
2018 Savings Themes and Topics include:
- Monday, February 26: Save with a plan
- Tuesday, February 27: Save the easy wayautomatically
- Wednesday, February 28: Save for rainy days
- Thursday, March 1: Save to retire
- Friday, March 2: Save the extra
- Saturday, March 3: Save as a family
Your clients can find out more about saving for the future at americasavesweek.org as well as www.socialsecurity.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/.
When Will Social Security Recipients Ssi And Ssdi Receive Their Stimulus Check
The Social Security Administration transmitted payment information for nearly 30 million to the IRS to get stimulus checks out the door after several Congressional leaders said they were alarmed at the lack of payments.
Many non-filers who receive benefits from SSI and the Railroad Retirement Board have also not received their checks and are part of the April 7 rollout. Those beneficiaries of Veterans Affairs, however, are still going to have to wait for their checks, the IRS said.
Already about 90 million people have received their third wave of stimulus checks, according to a joint letter to the heads of the Internal Revenue Service and Social Security Administration.
You can check the status of your payment using the IRS Get My Payment Tool.
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New Streamlined Waiver Process For Certain Overpayment Debts
In our continued effort to address the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have streamlined the overpayment debt waiver process for overpayment debts that we did not timely process due to the temporary suspension of certain actions during the pandemic. Your clients may qualify for a streamlined waiver if:
- An overpayment debt accrued between March 1 and September 30, 2020 because Social Security did not process an action due to the COVID-19 pandemic and
The streamlined waiver process does not apply to overpayment debts resulting from fraud or similar fault, or involving misuse of benefits by a representative payee, nor will the process apply to debts we processed timely.
It is important to note that under our rules individuals still need to request a waiver. If your client may have a qualifying overpayment debt, please tell them to to request a waiver. The local office will handle the process over the telephone. The telephone number for the local office also will be in the overpayment notice and is available at www.ssa.gov/locator on our website.
Commissioner Andrew Saul Aarp Interview
In a recent interview with the AARP, Commissioner Andrew Saul outlined his vision for improving customer service at the Social Security Administration. The Commissioner discussed his plan to shorten wait times in our offices and on the phone, modernize our disability program, and fight Social Security scams.
It’s been, of course, a real learning experience, but the most significant thing is that whatever we do from here on in, the SSA has to be for the benefit of our customer. We are here to service them. It’s become kind of the watchword, that whatever decision we make, it has to be for the good of the beneficiaries.
You and your clients can read the entire interview at www.aarp.org/retirement/social-security/info-2020/andrew-saul-interview.html.
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