I look forward to seeing you in Nashville for the 2024 NOSSCR annual conference. We have top-notch sessions plus a lot of events planned that you will not want to miss. We’ve incorporated live music, meals, and lots of opportunities to network and enjoy time with new and old friends. I want to highlight one…

In light of the recent good news regarding the representative fee cap increase, I wanted to take a moment to discuss fee agreements. First, as a reminder, the fee cap increase is not yet in place. We expect an announcement in the Federal Registrar soon, with an effective date beginning in the fall. However, even…

NOSSCR is only as strong its members, and we are grateful for your collective responsiveness. Recently we asked for your SSA call wait time experiences. The results of that survey were immediately and directly shared with Commissioner O’Malley and his SecurityStat team and are included below. As the Commissioner strives to improve customer service agency-wide,…

Last time, I discussed the six good grids and how you can prove your claimants meet them. But most claimants don’t meet a grid rule, so today, I will discuss how you can win your claimants’ cases that do not meet a grid rule. First, let’s cover what types of proof you can use to…

Many states have laws that waive or limit the amount medical providers can charge for providing copies of medical records when the request is made in connection with a Social Security disability or SSI claim. Some states have limits that apply to all requests, regardless of purpose, while other states have no limits at all.…

Commissioner O’Malley has been working hard to shift SSA’s culture to one that routinely provides quality customer service. With the recently announced improvements on overpayments, the Commissioner is interested in celebrating his employees who are following his lead. When dealing with your overpayment cases, if you encounter an SSA representative who is clearly trying to…

Over the past several years, NOSSCR and its members have consistently complained of SSA’s use of the antiquated Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT). NOSSCR recently completed a three-part series online regarding Vocational Expert Cross-Examination. There will be multiple sessions at the Nashville Conference on Vocational Experts and the DOT. But what about DDS vocational determinations…

On April 16, 2024, Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced S. 4120, the Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act. The bill has 22 additional cosponsors, 20 Democrats and 2 Independents. This legislation seeks to improve shortages in the long-term care workforce by increasing the number of direct care…

In the past few years one particular District Court Judge in the Eastern District of New York has issued numerous decisions highlighting SSA’s reliance on obsolete jobs. His decision in Wagner caught my attention—inserted on the first page of the memorandum of decision & order was a color image of an antiquated camera and flash…

We can’t wait to see those of you who have already registered – and for anyone who hasn’t yet, it’s not too late! Register now to join us Wednesday May 8th through Saturday May 11th! Here’s a sneak peek at the tentative schedule:

On April 3, 2024, SSA’s Chief Actuary Steve Goss presented at an Allsup webinar alongside NOSSCR’s CEO David Camp. Goss’ presentation slides on “Social Security Disability Insurance Past Experience and Expectations: Applications, Incidence, and Prevalence Rates Reasons for Change” offer an interesting look at the disability landscape.

As an advocate for clients with disabilities it is important to know about other benefits they may be eligible for. Often, your disabled client will also have a claim for benefits under an individual disability income (IDI) or group long-term disability (LTD) policy that they need to apply for.  Whether you are a social security…

SSA submitted a Proposed Rule on February 15, 2024 regarding the use of electronic payroll data to improve program administration. NOSSCR submitted official comments to that proposal, and those comments can be read below. Many other individuals and organizations submitted comments on the proposed rule, including the House of Representatives’ Committee on Ways and Means,…

Here’s a look at some of the recent statistical and actuarial publications from SSA:

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