Budget Deal Approved: Changes Made To Social Security

Updating a blog post we brought you last week, President Barack Obama has signed into a law a budget compromise that will include changes to the Social Security system. The compromise allows the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program to be funded through a shift in tax revenues from the Social Security Administration’s retirement fund. The SSDI program was expected to run out of funding by late 2016. If funding were exhausted, some beneficiaries would have seen a drop in benefits.

“The budget compromise would increase the Disability Insurance share to 2.37 percent of FICA and self-employed payroll taxes for 2016, 2017 and 2018,” the Times-Picayune reported. In previous years, the share was 1.8 percent of FICA.

Additionally, the budget bill calls for funds to be allocated to investigate instances of potential fraud (which is very rare). The New Orleans Times-Picayune recently had an article about the budget compromise, as acting SSA commissioner Carolyn Colvin was in the city to discuss the SSDI program.

Union officials representing administrative law judges (ALJs) have indicated that the compromise will allow the SSA to hire more judges to tackle the SSDI backlog over the next three years. “The changes will help judges clear a backlog of benefit denial appeals, some of which have taken as long as two years to decide,” the paper reported.

Colvin said the SSA is committed to hiring more ALJs over the upcoming years, as she told people in New Orleans that she would like to increase the number employed from 1,450 today to 1,925 by 2017.

Work With a Tulsa Social Security Attorney If You are Seeking SSDI  

The budget compromise and the ability to hire more ALJs is good news for people who are seeking benefits. If you have questions about eligibility or the appeals process, talk to a Tulsa SSDI attorney.

By working with an attorney, you may improve your chances of obtaining benefits or speeding up the appeals process. Visit our social media sites by using the icons on this page or call our office directly.

Troutman & Troutman, P.C. – Tulsa Social Security Disability lawyers

Categories

    I didn't think there was a caring professional considerate attorney firm on the planet, but Troutman & Troutman proved me wrong. From the receptionist to the legal assistance to the attorney and more they were exceptional people.

    - Robert S.

    They did a fantastic job getting everything gathered up and getting the trial done as quickly as possible. Anytime I had a question they were patient and help me understand what was going on. Especially Christy and Charlie were great.

    - Michael M.

    Steve Troutman was able to get my short-term and long-term disability for me. Then Erin another lawyer for their firm got my Social security disability for me. Great people.

    - Billy S.

    Mr. Troutman walked me through the entire process. Heather was available each time I called, answered all my crazy questions, and helped me fill out forms along the way. I was never treated like I was wasting time.

    - Julia C.

    Erin and Keith were fabulous! They were compassionate, helpful, and very responsive! They made the process very smooth and painless every step of the way.

    - Valerie W.
/

We Are Here to Help 

Free & Confidential Consultations
  • Please enter your first name.
  • Please enter your last name.
  • Please enter your phone number.
    This isn't a valid phone number.
  • Please enter your email address.
    This isn't a valid email address.
  • Please make a selection.
  • Please enter a message.