December 2024 Spotlight on
Social Security Newsletter

Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) Spotlight on Social Security Newsletter brings exciting news, work incentive information, success stories, and other valuable information for beneficiaries receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), their families, and the professionals that serve them.

In this issue:

December Webinar

Title: Social Security Updates: Preparing for 2025
Date: Thursday, December 19, 2024
Time: 10:00 A.M. - 11:30 A.M. PST
Location: Zoom
Event Information: Join us to explore the latest Social Security updates that impact Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. Whether you receive benefits or support someone who does, this session will clarify recent and upcoming changes.

Don't miss out: Registration Closed

Have questions about this webinar? Submit your questions here.

Register for future webinars or explore archived recordings.

Featured Spotlight Article – Key Social Security Changes for 2024 – 2025

Social Security Cost of Living (COLA) Set at 2.5% for 2025

The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced a 2.5% increase for benefits next year. This means your monthly SSI or SSDI check will increase slightly to help keep up with the rising costs of living expenses. The new payment amounts will start in January 2025. For more information, review the 2025 Social Security Benefits Increase recording.

Updates to Overpayment Recovery Policies

The SSA has made changes to its rules for recovering overpayments to make the process easier if you owe money to SSA. If you’ve been overpaid, you can contact the SSA to discuss repayment options or ask for a waiver if the overpayment was not your fault and you can’t afford to pay it back. For more information, read the SSA Overpayment Fact Sheet.

  • Lower Withholding Rate: As of March 29, 2024, SSA lowered the amount of money they can take from your monthly benefits to repay overpayments. Now, SSA limits overpayment withholding to 10% of your monthly benefits (or $10, whichever is greater).

  • Extended Repayment Plans: SSA now approves repayment plans of up to 60 months, allowing for more flexibility in repaying overpayments.

  • Administrative Waiver: Now, if the overpayment is $2,000 or less, the SSA may process your waiver request over the phone.

Changes to Social Security Office Appointment Procedures

SSA offices are moving to an appointment-based system for most services. This change aims to reduce the wait times and streamline services. You can schedule appointments by calling the national call center or by contacting your local SSA office. You can still walk-in but will avoid a long wait by making an appointment. This change will be fully in place by January 6, 2025. Social Security is also updating its website, forms, and notices to explain the new process and make it easier to use online tools and schedule appointments. For more information, read the Changes to Accessing In-Person Services article.

Options for services:

Online Services

SSA has expanded on-line tools for safe and secure access to online services. They have updated how to access your personal my Social Security account. For step-by-step instructions on how to use the new log-in, watch this SSA video.

  • If you set up your account after September 18, 2021, no action is necessary and your all set.

  • Want to create an account, watch the “what is a my Social Security account” video.

  • Learn more at ssa.gov.

SSI Updates

SSI Rule Changes to Maximize Payments

Social Security announced new rules to help people qualify for SSI and make it possible to receive higher monthly payments, helping more individuals reach the maximum benefit amount. These changes were effective September 30, 2024.

  • Excluded food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM) calculations. ISM is a type of unearned income that may affect SSI eligibility or payment amounts. Food assistance no longer needs to be reported.

  • Expanded the rental subsidy policy nationwide for SSI applicants and recipients who are related to the landlord, as a parent or child. Social Security no longer considers their rent discounted when their monthly rent equals or exceeds a certain amount.

  • Expanded the definition of a public assistance household. SSA now considers a public assistance household to be one where there is both an SSI recipient and one other household member who receives qualifying public assistance. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known as CalFresh in California, now qualifies as a public assistance program.

If you think any of these new rules apply to you, contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Learn more at Social Security Matters.

Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE)

This program allows eligible students under age 22 who are regularly attending school to exclude up to $2,350 per month in 2025, up to an annual cap of $9,460, from their earned income. SEIE helps to maximize SSI payments while students complete their education while they gain work experience. For more information, read the Spotlight on SEIE.

SSDI Updates

2025 Earnings Limits Will Increase in 2025

These changes allow SSDI recipients to work and earn more while keeping their benefits, beginning in January 2025. Read the Social Security COLA Fact Sheet for information about the 2025 cost of living amounts.

  • Trial Work Period (TWP) Earnings Threshold: Individuals on SSDI testing their ability to work during the nine-month TWP will only use a TWP month if their earnings exceed $1,160 per month.

  • Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA): You can explore work and keep your disability benefits in 2025 and earn up to $1,620 per month, or $2,700 per month for blind individuals. Keep in mind that there are many work incentives that can help reduce the amount of income SSA counts when determining SGA.

Medicare Part B Premium Update for 2025

The standard Medicare Part B premium will increase to $185 per month in 2025, which covers services like doctor visits and outpatient care. Most people have this premium automatically deducted from their SSDI checks. While Part B has a cost, Medicare Part A, which covers hospital stays, is free, and Part D helps with prescription drug costs. If you need help covering Medicare premiums and other costs, find out how Medicare Savings Programs in California may help.

Resources

For questions or assistance, we encourage you to contact SSA directly.

Spotlight on DOR Work Incentive Planning (WIP) Services

Arna’s success with SSDI Work Incentives

Arna turned to a Work Incentive Planner (WIP), Scott, after losing her partner and needing to return to work for financial stability. She had been receiving SSDI benefits and struggled with severe anxiety, making the transition back to work daunting.

Scott helped Arna understand work incentives like the Trial Work Period (TWP), which allowed her to work without losing her benefits, the Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE), which provided safety nets for her SSDI and the Extended Period of Medicare Coverage (EPMC), which provides continued healthcare coverage while working for a period of time. He also guided Arna through the Medi-Cal 250% Working Disabled Program, ensuring she could keep her healthcare coverage as she increased her earnings.

With this support, Arna secured a job at a local store. While she was nervous at first, regular guidance and encouragement from her WIP helped her succeed. Over time, Arna’s hard work paid off as she received raises and a promotion, boosting her confidence and leading to financial stability.

When Arna faced a housing crisis after receiving a 60-day eviction notice, her WIP helped connect her with community resources that secured subsidized housing. Later, as her earnings increased, Arna worried about exceeding SSDI’s income limits. Her WIP reassured her that she was still within limits, protected by the SSDI work incentives and explained that her SSDI would soon transition to retirement benefits, offering long-term stability.

Today, Arna is thriving in her job, living independently, and confident in her future. Her story shows how personalized guidance, understanding Social Security’s rules and determination can help overcome challenges and lead to meaningful employment.

How to Connect with a Benefits Planner?

  • Are you ready to start working?

    Meeting with a WIP can help you understand how working may impact your Social Security benefits. Your WIP will give you clear, accurate information tailored to your situation.

  • DOR Consumers

    If you’re already working with the DOR, talk to your DOR counselor to see if you’re eligible for Work Incentive Planning Services.

  • Not Receiving DOR Services

    If you’re not currently receiving DOR services, the Ticket-to-Work (TTW) Helpline can connect you with a local Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program for free benefits planning. Helpline: 1-866-968-7842, TTY: 1-866-833-2967 or visit TTW online at choosework.ssa.gov/findhelp

Interested in Receiving DOR Services?

If you are ready to take the first step in an exciting journey with DOR, please click here to get started. You will need to provide additional information about yourself to request services.

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