As we say farewell to Nashville, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on the success of our Annual Conference! First, we could not have done it without the support of our membership, presenters, exhibitors, and sponsors—we are grateful for each of you! We also want to thank our Board, staff, and partners at TME and Utopia who spent...

That's a wrap on #NOSSCR 2024! This morning's overpayment and Ticket to Work symposium offered attendees an opportunity to learn more about SSA's complex post-entitlement systems. After an eclectic lunch, our esteemed panel of experts helped guide attendees through the benefits (and pitfalls) of returning to work while on benefits. While today was a shorter one, attendees and NOSSCR members...

Day 3 Recap: Today was another exciting day of the conference! The day began with the Boot Scootin’ Boogie yoga session, our conferences aren’t just sitting and listening! Then began CLE sessions covering best practices when facing difficult VEs, a view into important SSRs, making rewarding practices through ethics and sustainability, and a litigation update from NOSSCR’s Tom Krause! Then...

General Session Recap: What a great day! We kicked off our general session with an intro from NOSSCR CEO, David Camp, followed by presentations from SSA Commissioner Martin O'Malley, the Office of Hearings Operations, and the Office of Electronic Services and Systems Integration. We heard about the exciting improvements that have already transpired under O'Malley's leadership and the many changes...

Day 1 Recap: Today started with our Bootcamp sessions, covering topics from an intro to Social Security law all the way to setting your cases up for success without worrying about vocational witnesses, and numerous CLE opportunities. Afternoon programming featured numerous sessions including discussions on the 1996 rulings, maximizing your early approval chances, and NOSSCR's very own Tom Krause, sharing...

For the first time in many years, SSA has a confirmed Commissioner: Martin O’Malley. NOSSCR CEO David Camp wrote an Op-Ed just published in the Baltimore Sun detailing the changes O’Malley has already accomplished. Commissioner O’Malley has already ceased SSA’s heavy-handed practice of intercepting 100% of an overpaid beneficiary’s monthly benefit, replacing it with a more reasonable default withholding rate...

As the issue of overpayments commands more public attention, the media turns to NOSSCR to lend expertise and depth to this systemic problem. NOSSCR CEO David Camp shared insights in a recent CNBC report examining changes the Social Security Administration is making to its repayment program. The new rules apply to overpayments, which are triggered when the amount of benefits...

On February 21, 2024, we brought together NOSSCR and NADR leadership to meet with Commissioner Martin O'Malley at his office in Baltimore. We had a productive discussion with the Commissioner about pressing issues, including the fee cap, and we're pleased to announce that we achieved general agreement: the Social Security representative fee cap will soon increase to $9,200, and thereafter...

The Social Security Administration (SSA) took a step toward modernization when it began accepting electronic signatures – but there is significant room for improvement. NOSSCR’s recent testimony before the House Ways and Means Committee shed light on inefficiencies in the current system, including the unreasonable requirement for verification of electronic signatures by phone. During the testimony, interim NOSSCR CEO...

Overpayments from SSA – and the hardship that clawbacks inflict on vulnerable people – continue to garner public attention. Pittsburgh-based WPXI has been covering the problem of overpayments, and recently highlighted the effects on current and retired public employees: We talked to Ron Bonasso, a retired postal worker who says at age 71, his Social Security checks stopped coming altogether...