RE: SSDI

[National Dialogue Moderator <moderator>]

> Date: Mon, 26 Apr 1999 17:49:29 -0400 (EDT) 
> From: Don Hanson <donhanson@mediaone.net> 
> Subject: SSDI 

RESPONSE FROM THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION:


Confidentiality

Internet e-mail is not a secure medium for transmitting private 
information.  Consequently, the Social Security Administration does 
not use it to discuss confidential matters such as Social Security 
(SSA) claim-related information.  Here is some general information 
about your concerns.


Attorney representation

SSA neither encourages nor discourages attorney representation.  It 
conducts administrative proceedings in an informal, non-adversarial 
manner and provides the same service to claimants who are represented 
and claimants who are not represented.


Definition of disability

The definition of disability in the Social Security law is a strict 
one.  To be eligible for benefits, a person must be unable to do any 
substantial gainful work because of a medical condition that can be 
expected either to last for at least 12 months or to end in death.  
Her impairment--or combination of impairments--must be of such 
severity that she is unable to do his previous work and cannot do any 
other work considering her age, education, and work experience.  If 
the evidence indicates that she can do other work, even if it involves 
different skills or pays less than her previous work, she cannot be 
considered disabled for Social Security purposes.


Earnings limits for substantial gainful activity

After deducting disability-related work expenses, SSA considers that 
average earnings of more than $500 per month ordinarily show that a 
person has the ability to do substantial gainful work.  "Substantial" 
work is the performance of physical and/or mental duties that are 
productive in nature; "gainful work" is work done for pay or profit.

The Commissioner of Social Security establishes this earnings level 
amount in regulations.  In the Federal Registers of April 15, 1999 and 
April 28, 1999, SSA published a final rule that will increase the 
average monthly earnings guideline from $500 to $700, effective July 
1, 1999.  SSA raised this level to encourage people with disabilities 
to attempt to work, and to provide an updated indicator of when 
earnings are considered "substantial." 


Hearing delays

SSA shares your concern about the delay in handling hearing requests.  
Its Office of Hearings and Appeals is experiencing an unprecedented 
increase in the number of hearing requests across the country.  

In response to the urgency of the situation, SSA developed a 
redesigned claims process that will, over time, considerably reduce 
processing times.  SSA also implemented initiatives to expedite the 
processing of disability claims in a way that will support its 
redesigned process and achieve significant short-term results.  These 
initiatives will reduce the number of cases pending in hearing offices 
and the processing times for those that are pending.

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If you have additional comments or questions about this response,
please post them to the National Dialogue.  If you need additional
information directly from the Social Security Administration, you
may call toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 or visit the SSA home page at
	http://www.ssa.gov   
Highlighted at this site, are the answers to many "Frequently Asked
Questions".