CDC expands flu-tracking efforts Oct 28, 2009
The NHIN eventually will be used for national health data exchange, but is currently a platform for several demonstration projects, including one involving the Social Security Administration and MedVirginia, a regional network of health care providers, to exchange patient medical information for determining disability benefits eligibility. It will soon be accepting data from the Veterans Affairs and Defense departments. (FCW.com)
Groups call for balance in labor, immigration laws Oct 27, 2009
U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer said the Social Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security could not go ahead with their plan to send joint letters warning businesses they'll face penalties if they keep workers whose Social Security numbers don't match their names. Breyer said the new work-site rule would likely impose hardships on businesses and their workers. (Fresno Bee -- Business)
Fitness Fades Fast After 45 Oct 27, 2009
"The Social Security Administration actually has an aerobic capacity threshold. If you're below the threshold, you are considered disabled," said study author Andrew Jackson ... "Exercise is the most potent medication around, and the Social Security Administration agrees with me.". (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Health)
Around Frisco Oct. 25 Oct 25, 2009
such as Medicare, Veterans' Affairs, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Social Security Administration or the Internal Revenue Service. They also may help facilitate overseas adoptions. (McKinney Courier-Gazette, TX)
City couple accused of Social Security violations Oct 25, 2009
Edna Heft, 59, and Ronald Heft, 62, were indicted on four counts of making false statements to the Social Security Administration beginning in March 1997 and continuing through July of this year. The indictment was announced Thursday by U.S. Attorney Deborah Gilgs office in Omaha. (Fremont Tribune, NE)
Oh Ghana! Lets start to do a few things right! Oct 24, 2009
Here in the US, the Social Security Administration provides information on its ability (or inability) to make the full promised payment in the future. If a shortfall is expected in the future, this information is made known well in advance so the nation can find solutions before that future date arrives. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Mali: Mentors to Boost Breastfeeding Oct 24, 2009
"Before, women fed their newborns tea and water without knowing the consequences of this practice," San mothers' group leader A ssa Tangara Traor; told IRIN. The UN has estimated that 300,000 babies could be saved every year in West Africa if they were fed only mother's milk for the first six months rather than formula, tea, water or food as is generally the case ... This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations. (allAfrica.com)
The One Thing Oct 23, 2009
The proposal came a day after the Social Security Administration said there wouldn t be a cost-of-living increase in payments for 2010 because consumer prices declined this year. The. (Fox News)
Davidsville woman sentenced to federal prison Oct 23, 2009
Authorities said Joyce A. Bowser, 63, of Carpenters Park Road, received 268 benefit payments totaling approximately 215,000 from Feb. 3, 1994, to April 3, 2008. Bower was not entitled to the funds. (Somerset Daily American, PA)
McCaul formally asks for hearings on vehicle contract Oct 23, 2009
With the award given to another manufacturer without previous experience building this truck line, significant costs are going to be incurred by the awardee in refitting its facilities to handle manufacturing the FMTV line as well as filling the thousands of employee positions necessary to meet this contract ... Some of these items include: the awardee was notified of the contract award two full days before it was publicly announced by the Department of Defense (stock price shot up 19 percent in... (Brenham Banner, TX)
No COLA for seniors, one-time payment touted Oct 23, 2009
According to the Social Security Administration under present law, there will be a COLA for Social Security and SSI benefits provided only when there is an increase in the average of the Consumer Price Index-W from the third calendar quarter of the prior year to the third calendar quarter of the current year of at least one-tenth of one percent (0. 1 percent). (Burlington Union, MA)
Social Security acts now to avoid future data overload Oct 22, 2009
SSA upgrades its data exchange systems to support growing demand for information ... Although SSAs existing IT infrastructure is sufficient to support current outgoing data exchanges, SSA officials and the agencys partners anticipate that the number of these exchanges will continue to increase and become more complex, placing greater demands on the infrastructure and systems, GAO said ... To address overall agency needs for a more cost-effective and efficient computing environment, SSA... (FCW.com)
Congress likely to give E-Verify program an extension Oct 22, 2009
The Internet program ties into databases maintained by the Social Security Administration and Homeland Security. Firms that screen workers through E-Verify are less likely to invest time and money in valuable employees who might wind up getting deported, said Sharon Rummery, a spokeswoman for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in San Francisco. (AZCentral -- Business)
Judge: Notices must be in formats blind can read Oct 22, 2009
A federal judge has ruled that the U.S. Social Security Administration must provide information on benefits in a way that is accessible to blind people ... U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer said the Social Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security could not go ahead with their plan to send joint letters warning businesses they'll face penalties if they keep workers whose Social Security numbers don't match their names ... SAN FRANCISCO -- A federal judge has ruled that the... (Fresno Bee -- Nation)
Senate OKs transfer of Gitmo prisoners for trials Oct 21, 2009
The bill also would extend for three years the E-Verify program, which uses the Social Security Administration database so that employers can verify the immigration status of new hires. A GOP plan to permanently expand the voluntary program and make it mandatory for federal contractors which passed the Senate in July was dropped during House-Senate talks. (MSNBC -- International)
Social Security told to modernize for the blind Oct 21, 2009
(10-20) 17:17 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- The Social Security Administration must give the nation's 3 million blind or visually impaired recipients the option of receiving benefit notices in braille or by audio computer disc, a federal judge in San Francisco said Tuesday ... The case involves some of the 100 million notices the Social Security Administration sends each year to its 61 million beneficiaries, advising them of scheduled appointments, program changes, tax filings and possible benefit cuts... (San Francisco Chronicle)
SSA needs more planning for data systems upgrades, GAO says Oct 20, 2009
The SSA currently shares data in about 1 billion transactions a year in programs such as the E-Verify employment verification system with the Homeland Security Department, as well as state systems for drivers' licenses, voters registration and food stamps. Overall, the SSAs information technology infrastructure is sufficient to meet the current demands, the Oct. 16 GAO report said ... According to DHS officials, SSA has dealt with the problem and has plans to implement enhancements to prevent... (FCW.com)
Trust but E-Verify Oct 20, 2009
Using information gathered by the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration, E-Verify helps employers confirm that newly-hired employees are eligible to work in the United States. . (Townhall.com)
Justice Dept. rejects Georgia’s appeal of voter verification Oct 20, 2009
The checks verify five criteria for new voters against information in databases held by the Georgia Department of Driver Services or Social Security Administration. The Justice Department said the citizenship match had flagged 7,007 individuals as non-citizens but many were shown to be in error. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
As cost of living rises for seniors, so should the size of their checks Oct 20, 2009
The proposed denial of any Social Security cost-of-living adjustment for 2010 by the Social Security Administration, for the first time in 35 years, represents nothing less than the betrayal of America s elderly by the very agency charged with protecting us ... Americans of all ages should object immediately to this unfair and unwise denial by the Social Security Administration, petition Congress to reverse this unjustified decision, and ask the White House to exercise its leadership on behalf... (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
The best insurance may come as a surprise Oct 18, 2009
Medicare is managed by the Social Security Administration, and Tricare by the Department of Defense. Both programs are extremely well-managed. (Fredericksburg.com, VA)
Social Security office coming to town Oct 18, 2009
In 2011, Rio Ranchoans won t have to drive to Albuquerque to get a Social Security card or conduct business with the Social Security Administration. Lars Sego, of Dura Bilt Products, said the plan is to have a Social Security Administration office in the Enchanted Hills area by the end of 2010. (Rio Rancho Observer, NM)
CB Richard Ellis adds Birmingham office Oct 17, 2009
The global real estate firm recently signed on to manage the Social Security Administration building in downtown and now has a staff of five, including a senior real estate manager, in the local facility, said Marcy Moneypenny, a managing director of the firm. So with staff in place and interest from institutional clients that own local properties, CB Richard Ellis said it will use those opportunities to beef up its local presence and garner additional business, she said. (Birmingham Business Journal, AL)
Social Security: no cost of living increase Oct 17, 2009
Published: Friday, October 16, 2009 6:09 AM CDT The announcement by the Social Security Administration yesterday that there will be no cost-of-living increase next year was met with sadness and predictions of problems to come as local seniors wonder how they are going to pay for medication and other necessities. For more than 50 million Social Security recipients across the country, 2010 will be the first year without a raise since automatic adjustments were adopted in 1975. (Hartford City News-Times, IN)
FEMA revamps Spanish language site Oct 17, 2009
The Social Security Administration offers a Spanish-language site, while the Veterans Administration offers Web pages with fact sheets on available benefits in Spanish. About the Author. (FCW.com)
Voter checking system rejected Oct 17, 2009
ATLANTA --- The U.S. Department of Justice has for the second time rejected Georgia's system of using Social Security numbers and driver's license data to check whether prospective voters are citizens. The Justice Department first rejected Georgia's request for preclearance for the checks in May. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Greatest generation becomes greediest generation Oct 16, 2009
The twin statements, by the Labor Department and the Social Security Administration, came less than a day after President Obama and Democratic leaders in Congress tried to salve the impact on older and disabled Americans by saying the government should provide $250 payments to 57 million people who depend on Social Security, pensions, or disabled veterans benefits ... Andrew Biggs, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and former deputy commissioner of the Social Security... (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
The Politics Don't Add Up Oct 16, 2009
For the first time since 1975, the Social Security Administration has announced, seniors will not receive an annual cost-of-living adjustment in their Social Security benefits. The move makes good policy sensethe formula used by the SSA shows the cost of living has not increased in the past year. (Slate)
Social Security makes it official: No COLA Oct 16, 2009
The Social Security Administration makes it official: There will be no cost of living increase for Social Security recipients next year, the first year without one since automatic adjustments were adopted in 1975. . (MSNBC -- Politics)
Social Security Oct 16, 2009
Suicide Car Bomber Strikes Pakistani City of Peshawar. By ALICE GOMSTYN ABC NEWS Business UnitOct. (ABC News -- Business)
Diminishing Returns? Oct 16, 2009
Data used from Social Security Administration. Diminishing Returns. (Nebraska Statepaper)
RealID real sneaky Oct 15, 2009
The burden of proof will be on the individual to produce evidence proving their identity to the many bureaucrats in the Social Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security. Guess who gets to keep all that verification information. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Social Security office coming to Rio Rancho Oct 15, 2009
In 2011, Rio Ranchoans won t have to drive to Albuquerque to get a Social Security card or conduct business with the Social Security Administration. Lars Sego, of Dura Bilt Products, said he anticipates having a Social Security Administration office in the Enchanted Hills area by the end of 2010 ... The company has recently built buildings Social Security Administration buildings in the Texas cities of Harlingen, Brownsville and Houston. (Rio Rancho Observer, NM)
Almost 50 and on AARP mailing list Oct 15, 2009
I imagine I ll be receiving similar AARP mailings each year as my birthday approaches, just like the Social Security Administration mails out a letter each year showing me how much I m probably not going to get when I retire. In the meantime, I ll stick with my own financial common sense and save the $16 annual membership fee until some point in the future when I better fit the acronym. (Rockport Pilot, TX)
With Social Sec. flat, Obama seeks $250 remittal Oct 15, 2009
WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama urged Congress to provide an extra $250 each to about 57 million seniors, veterans and people with disabilities as the Social Security Administration prepared to announce today that there would be no cost-of-living raise in 2010. Social Security benefits are pegged to inflation, which has been negative this year. (AZCentral -- News)
Recessionmay force older workers out Oct 14, 2009
Mark Hinkle, a spokesman with the Social Security Administration, said applications for retirement benefits for the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2009, rose 22 percent over the 2008 fiscal year, to 2. 57 million. (MSNBC -- Business)
U.S. Sued Over Dropping of Benefits for Disabled Oct 14, 2009
"The Social Security Administration . . . projects that over 46,000 immigrants will be cut off from SSI in the years 2006-2012 as a result of delays in granting citizenship and the operation of the seven year rule," the lawsuit says ... The suit was filed against top officials of the Social Security Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) unit of DHS, the Justice Department and the FBI.. (Yahoo News -- Disabilities and the Disabled)
Guident to help SSA office streamline business processes Oct 14, 2009
Issued by SSAs Office of Earnings, Enumeration and Administrative Systems (OEEAS), the BPA calls for to support the development and migration of Oracle solutions for Social Securitys Business Intelligence Gateway (BIG), the agencys toolset for providing interactive ad-hoc querying, reporting and data analysis, company officials said ... Currently supporting more than 60 projects and initiatives throughout SSA with 6,000 users BIG capabilities include intuitive dashboards, report... (FCW.com)
Recent 'momentum' influences choices of baby names, NYU, Indiana psychology professors find Oct 13, 2009
The findings were based on a historical record of the frequency that particular names were given to babies over the last 127 years in the United States provided by the U.S. Social Security Administration. Existing accounts of cultural evolution suggest that it is primarily the frequency of the token (i. (EurekAlert!)
Retirement planning Oct 12, 2009
But those losses aren't permanent, says , resident scholar at the and former deputy commissioner for the Social Security Administration ... You can only use the monthly threshold once, and most beneficiaries use it in the year they retire, says Mark Lassiter, spokesman for the Social Security Administration. (USA Today -- Money)
Obama drops rule aimed at immigrants' bosses Oct 10, 2009
The rule would have given employees three months to clear up any differences between the Social Security numbers they gave to employers and the numbers in the Social Security Administration database. After that, an employer who failed to fire the worker would be subject to civil fines and criminal prosecution. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Weiner: ‘Heck no, we don’t want zero’ Oct 9, 2009
As seniors grapple with the harsh reality that their cost of living allowance may be frozen next year, some politicians and community leaders are demanding that the Social Security Administration think twice before flattening their monthly payments. Rep. (Queens Chronicle, NY)
Wall Streeters: Where are they now? Oct 8, 2009
Roger CilloAge: 44Previous position: Segment Manager, JPMorgan Chase's credit card division Current status: Social Security Administration Claims Representative ... Now I have resumed my career with the Social Security Administration, where I had worked after college, and am a claims representative making half of what I made in base and no bonus. (CNN -- Money / Economy)
Panel recommends improvements to E-Verify Oct 8, 2009
The Internet-based E-Verify system is operated jointly by the Homeland Security Department and the Social Security Administration. It allows employers to check an individuals Social Security Number to determine whether the number is valid. (FCW.com)
Wasting money to keep out immigrants Oct 7, 2009
ONLY ILLEGAL WORKERS WILL SHUN TURNING TO SSA FOR RESOLVING THIS ISSUE.. The open border conspirators are losing, as they did in a federal Maryland court a week previous. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Government breaks small-business goals with stimulus funds Oct 7, 2009
Of the agencies on SBAs annual , the Social Security Administration had awarded 1. 8 percent of its $10. (FCW.com)
Adios, Juan and Juanita: Latin Names Trend Down Oct 6, 2009
The Social Security Administration has tracked the since 1880, and confirms that many such bridge names are currently enjoying an uptick ... Though a fair number of Spanish names for both sexes will find asylum on American shores, the majority appear doomed and the Social Security Administration has the cold numbers to illustrate the point. (Time.com)
Press Release: IMF Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa Expresses Cautious Optimism Oct 5, 2009
In all SSA countries, however, the crisis will likely slow, if not reverse, progress on poverty reduction. Unemployment and under-employment, already endemic, have likely risen across the region. (IMF News)
Social Security building sale sets record for downtown Oct 4, 2009
SSA building acquired for $147M. Birmingham Business Journal - by Staff. (Birmingham Business Journal, AL)
Key jobless rates worsen Oct 3, 2009
The Social Security Administration said this week that applications for retirement benefits are up 23 percent over last year, while disability claims have risen by about 20 percent. Meanwhile, the number of people out of work for six months or longer jumped to a record 5. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Senior execs got 3.7 percent raise in fiscal 2008, OPM finds Oct 3, 2009
3 percent; Social Security Administration, 2. 9 percent; and the General Services Administration, 2. (FCW.com)
Social Security collectors up 19% Oct 2, 2009
The number of disabled workers receiving first-time benefits also soared to nearly 1 million, an increase of 100,000 over the previous year, according to Social Security Administration records. Those two factors are putting new pressure on Social Security's finances. (Florida Today)
Social Security collectors up 19%; more retiring early Oct 2, 2009
Source: Social Security Administration. By Richard Wolf, USA TODAY WASHINGTON The number of retired workers who began collecting Social Security benefits jumped by a record 19% in the 2009 fiscal year that ended Wednesday as aging and the unemployed chose to retire early. (USA Today)
Making sure money is there even when you cant work Oct 2, 2009
Statistics from the Social Security Administration show that three out of 10 workers entering the workforce today will become disabled at some point ... The Social Security Administration estimates that 70 percent of individuals in the private workforce have no long-term disability insurance. (Bolton Common, MA)
Senators push for $250 supplement for seniors Oct 1, 2009
The Social Security Administration has indicated that it will not give recipients a cost-of-living adjustment next year -- for the first time in 35 years -- because there has been no inflation. But at a Capitol Hill news conference yesterday, lawmakers said seniors aren't buying electronics and other consumer goods, which have seen prices fall amid the recession, and are instead spending their money on prescription drugs and health care, whose costs have increased considerably. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
'Patty Duke' DVD Twice As Memorable For Namesake Star Oct 1, 2009
Now 62, Pearce said that the technology is "light years," of course, ahead of the original show now -- and she got to experience the advances first-hand earlier this year when she brought back Patty and Cathy Lane to record public service announcements for the Social Security Administration. "The first time you see the PSAs, you go, 'Holy crap! They're old," Duke said, laughing. (KFOXTV.com, TX)
Voice: Czars, Hitler and socialists Oct 1, 2009
Were it not for this "socialist" government they wouldn't be getting a free ride with their SSA and medicare ... " passablemind wrote on Sep 29, 2009 11:46 AM:" brawley7934. (El Centro Imperial Valley Press, CA)
Judge blocks key parts of new Arizona abortion law Sep 30, 2009
U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer said the Social Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security could not go ahead with their plan to send joint letters warning businesses they'll face penalties if they keep workers whose Social Security numbers don't match their names. Breyer said the new work-site rule would likely impose hardships on businesses and their workers. (Fresno Bee -- Nation)
Job losses, early retirements hurt Social Security (AP) Sep 30, 2009
Social Security Administration. Supplemental Security Income. (Yahoo News -- Technology)
Integrity doesn't mean blindly following Sep 26, 2009
Medicare was designed for those who are deemed disabled by the Social Security Administration and for senior citizens. I would ask O' Dell to take a look at the horror stories that come from the socialized health care systems of Canada and Great Britain. (Casper Star-Tribune, WY)
Psychologist sentenced in fraud case Sep 26, 2009
Dr. Allan K. Hearne, a psychologist and owner of Brookhaven Psychiatry and Psychological Associates, was convicted in June of conspiracy to defraud the United States, health care fraud, obstructing a federal investigation and making a false statement to the Social Security Administration ... Hearn was ordered to pay more than $545,000 in restitution to Medicare on charges of conspiracy to defraud Medicare, four counts health care fraud in relation to false billings made to Medicare, obstruction... (Brookhaven Daily Leader, MS)
Racist accusations grossly misapplied Sep 25, 2009
Did you ever deal with the IRS, the Social Security Administration, the DMV or any other government-run bureaucracy. It is a maddening experience. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Performance survey gives low grades to Interior, FEMA, Forest Service Sep 25, 2009
Highly ranked agencies were NASA; the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; the Social Security Administration; the National Science Foundation; the General Services Administration; and the Energy, Housing and Urban Development, Education, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs departments. About the Author. (FCW.com)
Secular humanist student group returns to campus after hiatus Sep 25, 2009
The Secular Student Alliance (SSA), a national organization that supports humanist student movements, announced in a recent press release an increase in secular student associations. The SSA cites a 2009 Labor Day count of 159 campus-affiliated groupsup from 100 last year and almost doubling the count from 2007, which consisted of 80 groups ... Getting the groups message out played a key role during the hour. (Washington University Student Life, MO)
House to vote on Medicare premium hikes Sep 24, 2009
No cost-of-living increasesThe Social Security Administration projects no cost-of-living increases for the next two years because the adjustments are pegged to inflation, which has been negative this year, largely because energy prices are below 2008 levels. Several lawmakers have introduced bills that would provide Social Security increases, regardless of inflation. (MSNBC -- Politics)
