Happy New Year

Top Ten Most Read Posts Of 2011

Below are this blog's top ten most read posts of 2011:

1. Encryption Of CDs  
2. Can't Get A Social Security Statement Online Anymore  
3. Will The August Social Security Checks Come Out On Time? 
4. High Reversing ALJ Draws WSJ Attention 
5. No Overtime At Payment Center 
6. Shakeup Continues At Social Security  
7. August 3 Social Security And SSI Checks At Risk 
8. Will Social Security Checks Go Out In August?  
9. What Happens At Social Security In Case Of A Government Shutdown?
10. Union Concerns Over Possible Furloughs

Direct Deposit Fraud

     A television station in Tampa is reporting that there have been two dozen instances locally in recent months of Social Security direct deposits being diverted to bank accounts not controlled by the person who is supposed to be receiving the money. 

     This is highly worrisome since it may be impossible to prevent under current practices and could spread quickly. I don't think this is the last we will hear of this problem.

Not To Be Replaced

     From The Messenger of Fort Dodge, Iowa:

Ray Powell came with the wind, so to speak.

Powell began his career at Fort Dodge's Social Security Administration office in June 1979 - shortly after tornadoes struck Manson and Algona.

Powell's departure [from his job as office manager] is set to be somewhat less dramatic.

After 32 years in Fort Dodge, Powell will retire on Friday.

    Yes, someone else will replace him as office manager at least on a acting basis but his job won't really be filled since Social Security isn't hiring..  Service to Iowans will decline.

15,043 Died Waiting For Disability Determination

     From today's Wall Street Journal:

The backlog of applications for disability benefits is so big the Social Security Administration has a special code—DXDI—for appeals dismissed because the applicant died waiting. Since 2005, the agency has made 15,043 DXDI designations.

A Race To The Bottom Garners Only A 6% Market Share For Binder And Binder

     That Wall Street Journal article on Binder and Binder indicates that they took in $88 million in fees for representing Social Security claimants last year which is a lot but that the total for everyone representing Social Security claimants was $1.4 billion. By my math, that means that Binder and Binder had only a 6% market share nationally despite spending $20 million on television ads and an untold amount on search engine advertising.

     Binder and Binder's influence goes beyond what its market share might suggest. Perhaps this would have happened anyway but several other firms are trying to operate nationally in ways somewhat similar to Binder and Binder and many other firms operating regionally are also cutting service to clients while ramping up advertising. It looks like a race to the bottom -- who can cut service the most so they can spend the most on advertising.

User Fee Stays At 6.3%

     The user fee imposed on those who receive direct payment of fees for representing Social Security claimants will remain at 6.3% in 2012.

Paying For Referrals

     From a press release:

Freedom Disability, a national Social Security Disability Advocacy group, has launched Freedom Cash Rewards, a unique online referral program designed to connect those who need Disability benefits to a premier advocacy service. Through this program, both the referrer and the person being referred would have the opportunity to earn cash rewards starting at $50. ...

[I]n addition to receiving high quality advocacy service for their Social Security Disability case, the disability claimant will also receive $50 once they have completed the initial interview with a Freedom Disability Advocate ...

     As the attorneys reading this know, paying for referrals is a good way to lose one's license to practice law. Of course, Freedom Disability is not a law firm.