Social Security Administration

The Office of the Inspector General has issued a scam alert about potential Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA)-related scams. The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced its new COLA of 2.5 percent on October 10th. Annual Social Security COLA are automatic, and beneficiaries do not need to take any action or provide additional information to receive the legitimate increase. Hannibal "Mike" Ware, Acting Inspector General for the Social Security Administration, has warned the public to be wary of any communication that requests you to take extra steps or provide personal details for this increase. Scammers often disseminate false information about the steps you need to take to get your increase. Read the scam alert to learn more.

The Ticket to Work Program is a Social Security Administration (SSA) initiative designed to help people with disabilities return to work. The program assists beneficiaries by connecting them with employment resources and providing support services. This can empower individuals to reduce or eliminate their reliance on Social Security benefits. The program is voluntary and allows participants to choose from a variety of employment services providers.

On October 13, 2022 the Social Security Administration announced an 8.7 percent cost-of-living increase in 2023 Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits – the largest in over 40 years. Approximately 70 million people will see an increase in their Social Security benefits next year.

The SSA has launched a new online tool to help individals declare interest in applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Applicants and individuals assisting applicants can now use this tool to request an appointment to apply for SSI benefits. An individual only needs to provide basic information to make the online request. The SSA will then schedule an appointment to apply for benefits by phone and send notification of the appointment within 7-14 business days.

This bulletin examines the West Virginia Youth Works intervention, which was funded as part of the Youth Transition Demonstration (YTD). This specific program was one of the six sites examined in the Social Security Administration's full YTD evaluation. This bulletin evaluates the effects of the Youth Works program and serves as a potential case study for other states interested in expanding services to youths with disabilities.

This Social Security Bulletin evaluates the effects of the Youth Transition Demonstration (YTD) from 2005-2014. This evaluation used participant surveys and administrative data from 5,103 individuals in six project sites to measure the effects of YTD one and three years post enrollment. The analysis found statistically significant positive impacts on employment rates in three sites during the third post enrollment year.

This report seeks to provide empirical evidence on the relationship between the primary impairments of Social Security disability program beneficiaries and the employment and earnings experiences of those beneficiaries. The authors' findings can inform new initiatives designed to help beneficiaries return to work or successfully transition into the adult workforce.

The Red Book serves as a general reference source about the employment-related provisions of Social Security Disability Insurance and the Supplemental Security Income Programs for educators, advocates, rehabilitation professionals, and counselors who serve people with disabilities.The book is a guide to Work Incentives and other disability-related policies and programs, like Ticket to Work.