Social Security Disability

Economic Stimulus Act of 2008

The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 will provide payments for many retired seniors, disabled veterans, and individuals with disabilities -- though not for those who receive only SSI (Supplemental Security Income - the poverty program not linked to an earnings record).  If your benefit checks total over $3,000 per year, but your total income doesn't exceed $75,000 per year, you may be eligible for a Stimulus Payment in the range of $300-$600.  Even if you normally do not file a tax return, you DO need to file a tax return this year to get your Stimulus Payment.  See this link for how the IRS wants you to complete the form:  http://www.irs.gov/pub/newsroom/1040a.pdf 

If you receive both Social Security Disability (or Retirement) and SSI, or both Medicare and Medicaid, don't worry that getting the Stimulus payment check will disqualify you from your benefits right away.  The law includes a provision that the refund is not to be taken into account as income, nor is it to be taken into account as a resource for the month of receipt and the following 2 months, for purposes of determining eligibility for means-tested federal benefits (like Medicaid and SSI). So once you get your Stimulus Payment, if that puts you up over the resource limit ($1,500 for Medicaid, $2,000 for SSI), you have a couple of months to spend it down.  Link to the entire law:  http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h110-5140

~ Mary McKee was quoted in a January 11, 2008, Plain Dealer article by Diane Suchetka about the Social Security Disability backlogs and steps the government is taking to speed up the process of getting benefits into the hands of those with disabilities faster.  The complete article can be found at:  http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/01/clevelands_long_waits_for_disa.html

~ Mary McKee was interviewed by Mike Miller of radio station 1150 WIMA about her Ohio State Bar Association "Law you Can Use" article, "Children and Adult Children with Disabilities: The Truth is Out There." The article appeared in newspapers across Ohio in late 2007, and can also be found at: http://ohiobar.org/pub/lycu/index.asp?sQry=adult&sType=lycu&articleid=528.

~ Mary McKee attended the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR) conference in St. Louis in October 2007.

~ Mary McKee's October 2007 talk on SSI, Social Security & Medicaid for the Ohio State Bar Seminar on Special Needs Trusts has been selected for the OSBA CLE Institute's Internet CLE video seminars.  According to the Institute, they are working with Legalspan on this project to create CLE courses that are convenient and entertaining, as well as informative.

~ An article written by Mary McKee appeared in the June, 2006 issue of MSConnection, Ohio Buckeye Chapter. The article focuses on the understanding of Social Security Disability and can be viewed at www.MSohiobuckeye.org.

~ Mary McKee gave a presentation at the Beachwood MR/DD Adult Activities Center on December 19, 2005 regarding guardianships and special needs planning.

~ On October 6, 2005 Mary McKee gave a talk at the Professional Association for Retardation (PAR) Convention in Columbus. The talk focused on Social Security Disability/SSI benefits for transitioning young adults with developmental delays.

~ During the summer of 2005, many readers of newspapers across the state will become a little more familiar with the Social Security Disability process, thanks to Mary McKee, who contributed a 'Law You Can Use' article called Social Security Disability: Rumor versus Reality, distributed by the Ohio State Bar Association.

~ On June 9, 2005 Mary McKee gave a talk at the United Cerebral Palsy headquarters. The talk focused on Social Security benefits for people with cerebral palsy.

~ Mary McKee presented an overview of Social Security Disability including the claims process, definitions, evaluations, hearings and strategies for success in Cleveland at the Forum Conference Center on March 18, 2005 as part of an Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) Elder Law seminar.