Kwitoski & Associates PLLC

10/05/2021

Yesterday, the Social Security Administration ( ) announced a redesign to the Social Security Statement beneficiaries can access online.

It uses simpler language and clear visuals. It also prominently shows information about disability benefits, which is proven to increase applications among people with work-limiting impairments: https://bit.ly/2ZW3AUB

11/03/2020

You can register to vote AND vote in one trip to your city or township clerk’s office right up until the last minute of Election Day (8 p.m.). Get your clerk’s info at http://Michigan.gov/Vote

11/02/2020

Know your rights! There is still time to vote. And if you experience any sort of harassment or intimidation at the polls, call one of these numbers for your state.

An important reminder as millions of folks across the country vote early or make plans to vote on November 3rd: You have the right to vote. If you run into any issues at your polling place, call 1-833-336-8683 or your voter protection hotline. Make sure to share this with your friends and family.

06/02/2020

Black lives matter. We stand with the black community during this time, and always.

04/30/2020

Learn how to take action now.

04/25/2020

It appears clients have been getting letters regarding the processing of their claims during the COVID-19 crisis. From what we can tell from these letters, SSA will continue to process new applications, but everything is being done much more slowly. They are also not sending clients for consultative examinations right now. Continuing disability reviews at the earlier stages (not hearing stage) also appear to be suspended.

This is all a very fluid situation and new even for us attorneys, as we are trying to process the information we are getting along with everyone else. However, if anyone has any questions about the information or correspondence they are receiving, please do not hesitate to contact our office.

04/11/2020

Important information regarding stimulus checks for SSDI and SSI recipients:

"People who receive Social Security retirement, survivors, or disability insurance benefits and who did not file a tax return for 2018 or 2019 and who have qualifying children under age 17 should now go to the IRS’s webpage at www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments to enter their information instead of waiting for their automatic $1,200 Economic Impact Payment. By taking proactive steps to enter information on the IRS website about them and their qualifying children, they will also receive the $500 per dependent child payment in addition to their $1,200 individual payment. If Social Security beneficiaries in this group do not provide their information to the IRS soon, they will have to wait to receive their $500 per qualifying child.

The same new guidance also applies to SSI recipients, especially those who have qualifying children under age 17. To receive the full amount of the Economic Impact Payments you and your family are eligible for, go to the IRS’s Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info page at www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments and provide information about yourself and your qualifying children."

https://www.ssa.gov/news/press/releases/2020/ #4-2020-2

2020 Press Releases

03/29/2020

"Will most people who are receiving Social Security retirement and disability payments each month also get a stimulus payment?

Yes."

The $2 trillion relief bill will send money directly to Americans, greatly expand unemployment coverage and make a number of other changes.

03/27/2020

While our office doors may be closed to the public for the time being -- due to the executive "stay at home" order currently in place -- rest assured that we are still working very hard "behind the scenes" on behalf of our clients.

Briefs are being written. Legal deadlines are still being met. Phone calls are being answered on a limited basis every day and will be returned as soon as we can get to them from our homes.

We can also still assist clients with new applications for benefits remotely, or with your appeals if you need to file one. Please contact our office and request a PHONE appointment to discuss your case if needed.

Finally, please stay safe, and reach out if you need some support.

03/17/2020

We understand this can be a very scary and confusing time for many of our clients. The most important thing we must consider is everyone's safety. But we also understand the concerns over cases moving forward in light of many hoping for income from disability payments sooner rather than later.

Right now SSA is halting all in person hearings, but there is an option to proceed with hearings via 3-way phone call. For clients with upcoming hearings, we will reach out to you about this option in the coming days, with the other option being to postpone indefintely. We don't know how long this will last. We are just trying to process this information in real time like everyone else.

The good news is that new applications can always be done online, and so if any clients or potential clients wish to apply for benefits, please reach out to our office to schedule a phone consultation with one of our attorneys. At that time, we can proceed with applying for benefits for you online if appropriate.

Again, although this is a very confusing and scary time, we will get through this together, and we are here to help or answer any questions we can.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are closing Social Security field offices to the public for in-person services, except for certain dire emergencies. Please consider using our online services. More info: http://ow.ly/l6s750yNlHA

02/22/2019

Protecting your information is an important part of Social Security’s mission to help you secure today and tomorrow. You work hard and make a conscious effor...

02/19/2019

It’s hard to say what the issue actually was in this case, but it’s worth noting that it is not normal to have to wait a year for back pay. However, SSA does make mistakes or drop the ball sometimes, and it is necessary to follow up in those cases. Glad it finally got straightened out for this man.

Due to a lower back injury, Melvin Sanders' says he has been unable to work since 2013.