Time To Give Paul Ryan Heartburn

     President Obama says it's time in increase Social Security. Hillary Clinton has said the same. What will Donald Trump say? What will other Republicans running for office say?

This Is No Video Game

     I'm hearing there was a recent suicide attempt in Pike County, KY after a former client of Eric Conn was cut off benefits and told of a $76,000 overpayment. Everyone involved in this needs to understand this isn't a video game. There are dramatic real world consequences at stake here. If you have discretionary responsibility over any aspect of these cases, you must take what you are doing  very seriously.

Memorial Day 2016

Have A Good Long Weekend

This Will Certainly Encourage Greater Use Of Social Security's Online Systems

     From a report on this week's Congressional hearing on Social Security's information systems:

... During the hearing, [Acting Social Security Commissioner] Colvin announced the agency will, starting this summer, improve security with additional personal information protection: Social Security website users will need to enter a username, password and one-time texted passcode to a Social Security-registered cellphone to access their accounts. ...

Social Security At Cannes Film Festival

     You'd think that the Cannes Film Festival is about the last thing I'd be writing about but there really is a social security connection this year, if a little obliquely. The Cannes grand prize, the Palme d'Or, was awarded to "I, Daniel Blake", a drama about a disabled man in Britain trying to cope with a social security disability process that seems stacked against him. If it were set in the United States, it would be an even more infuriating tale. On this side of the Atlantic, we don't just deny dignity to the disabled; we provide a "system" that leaves a huge proportion of the disabled to fend for themselves without government assistance.

Hearing On Social Security Information Systems

     The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is holding a hearing today on Information Systems at Social Security. You can watch the hearing below or read the written statements of the witnesses.

Being Prepared

     Here's a short excerpt from a hospital record on one of my clients: "Pt has drill bit set beside bed. When asked why he brought it with him, pt states 'In case I need to cut off my leg.' Dr. ______ notified."