Social Security Disability &

Special Needs Planning News from

Sheri R. Abrams, Attorney at Law,

Partner at Needham Mitnick & Pollack, PLC

In This Issue:

Social Security Extends Access to Benefit Verification

Social Security's New Disability Computer System Does Not Work

Scam Alert: That Robocall is Not From the IRS

Please see our website at:

www.nmpattorneys.com

for more information.

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Issue: # 72

July 2014

Picture of Social Security Card and Dice

Welcome to our monthly newsletter.

These monthly newsletters are designed to provide useful information on Disability Law & Issues with a special emphasis on Social Security Disability & Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits and Special Needs Trusts & Planning.

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Social Security Extends Access to Benefit Verification

Bowing to pressure from Congress, the Social Security Administration has announced that local Social Security offices would continue to provide benefit verification letters until further notice.

These letters are used by people to quickly verify their income when applying for a loan or other government benefits, such as housing assistance.

The local offices were scheduled to stop issuing benefit verification letters in October as part of Social Security's efforts to provide more services online. But the Social Security Administration has recognized that some people require help in person at the local Social Security offices.

A recent congressional report said 5 million people a year visit Social Security offices to obtain benefit verification letters.

Over the last few years, Social Security has invested in technology that allows most government agencies and many other organizations to verify their clients' Social Security benefits electronically without requiring them to visit a local Social Security office.

Members of the public with Internet access can obtain benefit verification information online by creating a my Social Security account at

www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount

Social Security's New Disability Computer System Does Not Work

Apparently after spending nearly 300 million dollars on a new computer system to handle disability claims, the Social Security Administration still can't get it to work, nor can it say when it will work.

In 2008, Social Security decided to replace outdated computer systems which were being overwhelmed by large amounts of disability claims. But the project has been racked by delays and mismanagement, according to an internal report commissioned by the Social Security.

Social Security Disability claims are first processed through a network of local field offices and state agencies called Disability Determination Services (DDS). There are many DDS offices, and they all use different antiquated computer systems.

The new computer system which is known as the Disability Case Processing System (DCPS) was supposed to replace these computer systems to process disability claims. As envisioned, Social Security employees across the country would be able to use the new computer system to process claims and track them as benefits are awarded or denied and claims are appealed.

Today, the new computer system is still in the testing phase, and Social Security cannot say when it will be operational or how much more it will cost to become operational.

In the meantime, claimants filing for disability benefits are experiencing long delays that were supposed to be reduced by the new computer system.

Scam Alert: That Robocall is Not From the IRS

Tax season may be over, but that doesn't mean that tax scams are over. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently issued a warning about fake Internal Revenue Service (IRS) calls that are tricking people into paying money they may or may not owe via prepaid cards.

This scam has been circulating for the past few months, and it does not look like it will be stopping anytime soon. Scammers are faking caller ID information to impersonate the IRS and are threatening people with arrest, deportation and more if they don't quickly pay up. There are several variations to this scam, including ones using robocalls. One common factor each of these scams share is a demand for money paid quickly using prepaid debit cards, wire transfer or credit card.

Be aware that the IRS doesn't ever ask people to pay tax debt using prepaid debit cards or wire transfers. If you need to be contacted about tax issues, the IRS will typically do so by mail. The IRS also doesn't use text messaging, email or social media to request personal or financial information.

If you are worried about a tax debt you may owe, contact the IRS yourself for help with payment questions. You can reach them at 800-829-1040.

If you get a suspicious call claiming to be from the IRS report it immediately to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) by calling 800-366-4484 or by reporting it online by clicking here.

You can also file a complaint online with the FTC at https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov. You need to make sure you include "IRS Telephone Scam" in the notes section.

Sheri Abrams' Book "Don't Gamble With Your Social Security Disability Benefits--What Every Virginia Resident Needs To Know To Win A Social Security Disability Case" Is Available

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Available for purchase at Amazon.com or you can download a free copy of the book at:

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"Don't Gamble With Your Social Security Disability Benefits--What Every Virginia Resident Needs To Know To Win A Social Security Disability Case" is now available for the Nook here,

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REFERRALS

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We provide legal services in the areas of Social Security Disability Law, Elder Law, Wills and Trusts, Probate, Trust Administration, Powers of Attorney, Advance Medical Directives, Guardianships, Long Term Care Planning, Disability Planning, Medicaid Eligibility, Student Loan Discharge, Veterans Benefits and Special Needs Trusts.

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