2.8 % COLA for 2019

 2019 SOCIAL SECURITY CHANGES

 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA).

 

Based on the increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W) from the third quarter of 2017 through the third quarter of 2018, Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries will receive a 2.8 percent COLA for 2019.  Other important 2019 Social Security information is as follows. 

Disability Thresholds
Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)
2017                                   2018
Non-Blind	$1,180/mo.	$1,220/mo.
Blind	$1,970/mo.	$2,040/mo.
Trial Work Period (TWP)	$ 850/mo.	$ 880/mo.

 

  

ALJ Constitutionality

The Supreme Court decision in Lucia v. SEC, June 21, 2018, can have a big impact on Social Security--if Social Security Administrative Law Judges are found unconstitutional (that is, all present ALJs are not properly appointed, all are out of office), I predict chaos at the hearing office.

See https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/17pdf/17-130_4f14.pdf

If ALJs cannot be appointed administratively as at present, then they must be appointed as regular federal judges or possibly as federal executive officials by the president.

 

See the discussions at Charles Hall's blog:  https://socsecnews.blogspot.com/

MS Guide Online

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society has published a new edition of its guide for applying for Social Security Disability (& SSI Disability) for people with MS.  This is a free resource online!

This is a great resource for people disabled by MS & also very helpful for people applying for Social Security Disability (& SSI Disability) for other impairments.

Claimants, their representatives, heathcare providers, and others should add this resource to their toolbox.  

See:

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/NationalMSSociety/media/MSNationalFiles/Brochures/Guidebook-Social-Security-Disability-for-People-with-MS.pdf

Once again, I thank Charles Hall for citing this information in his blog: https://socsecnews.blogspot.com/

COLA for 2018

Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2018

Based on the increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W) from the third

quarter of 2016 through the third quarter of 2017, Social Security and

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries will receive a

2.0 percent COLA for 2018.

Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)

Non-Blind:   $1,180/mo.

Blind:   $1,970/mo.

Trial Work Period (TWP):  $ 850/mo.

SSI Federal Payment Standard Individual

$ 750/mo.

SSI Federal Payment Standard Couple

$1,125/mo.

See other changes at:

https://www.ssa.gov/news/press/factsheets/colafacts2018.pdf