Acting Social Security Commissioner, Leland Dudek has voiced the agency’s full support for President Trumps memorandum “Preventing Illegal Aliens from Receiving Social Security Act Benefits”. The President’s memo directs SSA to take several steps to stop illegal aliens and other ineligible people from drawing benefits. Among those are investigating whether people over 100 years of…
As of March 31, 2025 persons wishing to change their address with the Social Security Administration will have to do so through the secure “my Social Security” website or visit a SS office, in person. It will no longer be possible to make changes by calling Social Security. This is to combat fraudulent address and…
Summer 2021 Newsletter STILL STANDING…AND PRACTICING I published the first issue of Social Security & You in Spring of 1993. Some years I’ve published more issues than others. The most recent issue was dated Spring 2019: over 2 years ago. The world was a much different place then. Especially for me. Read the full newsletter…
Spring 2019 Newsletter An Opioid Story I’ve changed his name. Let’s call him Gerald. He was a laborer. And by that I don’t mean that he just did physical work. He was a card-carrying member the Labor’s Union local. And that meant a lot to him. I represented him for Social Security disability and Michigan…
A Memorandum of Understanding has been developed between the Social Security Administration and the Association of Administrative Law Judges (AALJ), the Social Security Administrative Law Judge’s union.
ALJs can volunteer to hold in person hearings as of May 4th. All ALJs must do so as of June 3rd.
Everyone who enters the Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) must complete a screening questionnaire and wear a mask. Only ALJs, Claimants, parents of minor Claimants & representatives will be allowed in the hearing room. Presumably, vocational experts, medical advisors & reporters will work remotely for the time being.
Hearing offices will also provide opportunities for distancing, plexiglass barriers between ALJs and others in the room, enhanced cleaning measures and HEPA filtration. ALJs will be provided with face shields but will not be required to wear them.
The ability to have remote hearings either by either by Microsoft TEAM or telephone will be preserved for Claimants preferring that option. Those who have previously selected a remote hearing option will have the ability to switch to a in person hearing, so long as the ALJ agrees.