Skip to main content

URGENT MESSAGE FROM SOCIAL SECURITY'S TOP OFFICIAL - February 18, 2025

There is a lot of talk and speculation about Social Security in the new Trump Administration.  The acting commissioner of Social Security recently resigned and Lee Dudek has been appointed the new Acting Director.

Today (2/18/2025) I received a message from the new Acting Commissioner Dudek.  Here is part of Director Dudek's message on Social Security for 2025:

  •  Our continuing priority is paying beneficiaries the right amount at the right time, and providing other critical services people rely on from us.
  • DOGE personnel CANNOT make changes to agency systems, benefit payments, or other information. They only have READ access.
  • DOGE personnel do not have access to data related to a court ordered temporary restraining order, current or future.
  • DOGE personnel must follow the law and if they violate the law they will be referred to the Department of Justice for possible prosecution.

                                END OF  THE ACTING COMMISSIONER'S QUOTE

Here is my take on this message:  Social Security benefits and checks will continue just as they have, without interruption or change.  

Many rumors, false statements and hysterical accusations have been made about Social Security on the internet and various blogs.  Most of these have no foundation in reality.

No one is trying to cancel or reduce legitimate Social Security payments or benefits.  However, the elimination of fraud in the Social Security Administration benefits everyone by protecting the trust funds, making them stronger and lasting longer. 

I appreciate Acting Commissioner Dudek's communication, setting forth the goals and commitments of the Social Security Administration.


 

 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

MUST YOU MEET A LISTING FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY?

You hear talk of getting SSDI benefits by "meeting a Listing."  What are the Listings? The Blue Book listings are found in the regulations at 20 CFR 404, Subpart P, Appendix I. The Listings are divided into 12 body systems.  Each severe impairment is listed under its respective body system.  For example, Congestive Heart Failure is listed under Section 4.00 - Cardiovascular System. When you go there, there is a list of severe symptoms, and they are severe.   If you exactly meet or equal the list of very extreme symptoms you will be automatically approved for disability. Here's the problem:  Meeting one of the listings is about as likely as winning the Super Lotto.  It is very, very unlikely that you will do so. Thus, 99 percent of claimants do not and cannot get approved by meeting a listing.  The listings are only for catastrophic, extreme impairments that most claimants simply do not have--or do not have at the severity level demanded by the listings...

A DISABILITY DENIAL IS NOT THE END OF YOUR CASE

By Charles W. Forsythe The Forsythe Firm Social Security denies a lot of applications.  It's expected.  But it's not the end. The good news is:  You can probably win your case on appeal and get paid benefits.  It just takes a bit longer. About 8 out of 10 new disability claims will be routinely denied.  So, it's rather unusual to be approved just by filing an application. An appeal sounds like a last resort or tricky legal maneuver.  It's really quite common--almost  normal--in a Social Security disability case. 8 out 10 claims will be appealed at least once, often twice, before they are paid. The process that pays Social Security disability is not the application, it's the appeal process. Many claimants who don't understand the importance of appeals give up after the first denial.  A serious mistake.  You odds get better in appeals. TIME LIMIT ON APPEALS .  All unfavorable Social Security decisions must be appealed within 60 days ....

CAN A LAWYER / ADVOCATE HELP YOU IN DISABILITY HEARINGS?

 HOW A LAWYER INCREASES YOU ODDS     There are many things a trained disability advocate or lawyer can do for you in a disability claim.  The biggest reason to have a lawyer or advocate is that you are 3 times as likely to be approved when using one. As with all levels of applying for SSI and SSDI , it is not required that you have attorney representation. However, the hearing before an Administrative Law Judge is your BEST chance of being approved for Social Security benefits. During this stage your chances of being approved are highly improved by having an attorney that is skilled with disability law . Only an experienced lawyer or advocate will understand the difficult and confusing concepts discussed at the hearing.  If you don't have a lawyer you will probably understand very little of what goes on at your hearing. Before your hearing your attorney can prepare you for the questions you will be asked at the hearing. A vocational expert will be a...