 |
Please see our websites at:
&
for more information.
|
|
NMP Newsletter
Do you only receive Sheri Abrams' monthly newsletter that focuses on Disability Issues?
Please consider also signing up to receive Needham Mitnick & Pollack's very informative monthly newsletter that focuses on Estate Planning & Elder Law Issues.
If you would like to receive both newsletters please follow the directions to update your profile by clicking here.
|
|
Join Our List
|  |
|
See Our Previous Email Newsletters
| | Email Archives |
|
Article Reprint Authorization
We invite you to reprint our articles in order to bring helpful information to your readers, with the following guidelines:
- The content is to be printed in its entirety;
- Additions, deletions or changes in the text, title or illustrations may not be made;
- Credit is given to Sheri R. Abrams, Attorney at Law, Needham Mitnick & Pollack, PLC as the original source.
Example:
Source: Reprinted from the February 2015 Newsletter of Sheri R. Abrams, Attorney at Law, Needham Mitnick & Pollack, PLC
(www.nmpattorneys.com).
| |
|
|
| Issue: # 79 |
February 2015
|
|
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.
You may have been added to our e-mail newsletter mailing list if you are a client, business associate, a Facebook friend, a Linked-In connection, or another professional contact of Sheri R. Abrams, Attorney at Law, or the Law Firm of Needham Mitnick & Pollack, plc.
You may unsubscribe by clicking on the link at the end of this e-mail.
|
|
Social Security to Expand Local Office Hours
|
 The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced that as a result of Congress's approval of the fiscal year 2015 budget, the agency will expand its hours nationwide and offices will be open to the public for an additional hour on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
This change will go into effect on March 16, 2015.
A local office that is usually open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. will remain open until 4:00 p.m. Offices will continue to close to the public at noon every Wednesday so employees have time to complete current work and reduce backlogs.
In recent years, SSA reduced local office hours due to congressional budget cuts, growing backlogs and staffing losses. The agency began recovery in fiscal year 2014 by replacing some local office staffing losses and providing overtime support to process critical work. With the commitment of resources in fiscal year 2015, the agency is now able to restore some service hours to the public.
Most Social Security business does not require a visit to a local office. Many services, including applying for retirement, disability and Medicare benefits, creating a "my Social Security" account
replacing a Medicare card, or reporting a change of address or telephone number, are conveniently available anytime at www.socialsecurity.gov .
Social Security also offers assistance via a toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 (Voice) and 1-800-325-0778 (TTY) from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday.
|
| Social Security Announces New Online Service for Replacement SSA-1099s | |
 The Social Security Administration (SSA) is expanding the online services available at www.socialsecurity.gov.
Social Security beneficiaries are now able to quickly and easily obtain a replacement SSA-1099 from the agency's website with a "my Social Security" account.
Beginning this tax season, any "my Social Security" account holder who misplaces their original SSA-1099 will be able to request an instant replacement from Social Security's menu of online services.
Social Security sends SSA-1099s each January to everyone who receives Social Security benefits. It shows the total amount of benefits paid in the previous year and is used for tax purposes.
Previously, people who lost their SSA-1099 had to call or visit a Social Security office to get a replacement or request one be mailed to them.
With this new online service, people now only need to create a "my Social Security" account, or log into their existing one. Once there, they can view and print their SSA-1099 or request to have a new one mailed to them.
"My Social Security" is a secure, online account designed for people to use beginning in their working years and continuing throughout the time they receive Social Security benefits.
Once the account is created, it is used by employed people to keep track of their earnings and to get estimates of future benefits.
People already receiving benefits can manage their accounts by changing their address, starting or changing direct deposit, getting a benefit verification letter, and more.
Setting up a "my Social Security" account is quick, easy, and secure and more than 16 million people have already set up an account. In fact, a new "my Social Security" account is created every six seconds.
For more information, please go to:
www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.
|
|
What Is Social Security Fraud, Waste or Abuse?
| |
 Last Month I wrote an article on what to do if you
suspect someone of committing fraud, waste, or abuse against Social Security?
So I have been asked to give examples of Social Security fraud, waste and abuse:
Making false statements on claims;
Concealing facts or events which affect eligibility for Social Security benefits;
Misuse of benefits by a Representative Payee;
Buying or selling counterfeit or legitimate Social Security cards;
Social Security number use involving people with links to terrorist groups or activities;
Scams involving the impersonation of an Social Security Administration employee; and
Bribery of a Social Security Administration employee.
You can report suspected Social Security fraud by calling 1-800-269-0271 (TTY 1-866-501-2101) or by visiting:
http://oig.ssa.gov/r
|
|
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
| |
|
|
Now Available For Nook & Kindle
| |
"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,
and the Kindle here.
|
|
OUR OFFICE LOCATION | |
The law firm of Needham Mitnick & Pollack, PLC, is located at:
400 S. Maple Avenue
Suite 210
Falls Church, VA 22046
(703) 536-7778
This is in downtown Falls Church and the office has plenty of free and accessible parking.
|
|
REFERRALS | 
If you know of someone who could use my legal services or any of the other members of the law firm of Needham Mitnick & Pollack, PLC, please forward to him/her this e-mail newsletter or give him/her our telephone number: (703) 536-7778.
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.
If you, or someone you know, is involved with an educational event or support group that would benefit from a presentation on any of the areas of law for which we provide legal services, please call us at (703) 536-7778. |
|
|
|
|
