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We Have Wrapped Up Another Year 2025 is over and 2026 has just begun. Below are some highlights and reminders as we move forward in the new year. Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) 2026 COLA increase is 2.8% and should be reflecting in monthly payments already. SSI Payment Information Maximum SSI payments for 2026 is $994.00. Just as a reminder, this is the maximum your total amount may be decreased for a variety of reasons. Earnings and Work Amount Updates The amount for initial monetary qualifications (SGA) rose to $1,690.00. Trial work period amounts increased to $1,210.00. Attorney Fee Limits Attorneys are statutorily limited to 25% of an awarded back benefit, and we are unable to receive more than $9,200.00 in fees when a fee agreement has been signed. The Social Security Administration continues to determine and pay attorney fees. Medicare and Medicaid in Michigan In Michigan, Medicaid is still available to disabled people. Medicare is still available to those who are disabled and receiving SSD, after the traditional two-year waiting period from the first monthly payment received by the disabled individual. Social Security Administration Update The Social Security Administration recently swore in as the Deputy Commissioner of Social Security.

Beginning January 1, 2026, the attorney-fee cap for Social Security Disability cases (both SSDI and SSI) will remain $9,200 or 25% of your past-due benefits , whichever amount is lower. Fee Petitions   If your representative uses a fee petition instead of a standard fee agreement, the fee must be approved by the Judge assigned to your case. The approved fee may differ from the standard fee-agreement limit. Always review the terms of your specific fee petition. Social Security Service Fee   Social Security charges all representatives a processing fee when fees are paid directly to them. This amount is taken out of the representative’s fee, not yours. For 2026, the service fee is $123.00. Representatives are not allowed to ask claimants to pay this fee. Costs Not Included in the Representative’s Fee   Attorney or representative fees do not  include the cost of obtaining medical records or other documents needed for your claim. If your representative pays these costs upfront, they may bill you separately for reimbursement. This also does not  include any medical bills from your own doctors, hospitals, or clinics. If your representative sends you to an additional doctor for your case, ask whether you may be responsible for those charges. What You Should Ask Before Signing   Before agreeing to representation, make sure you understand: What the attorney or representative’s fee will be What additional costs you may be responsible for Whether you must pay for medical records or other expenses if you do not  win your case You should always ask what the fee is, what other fees you may be responsible for, and if you are unsuccessful in being awarded benefits, will you be responsible for any costs for medical records or other records, or even doctor office visits that the attorney or representative, or firm may send you to.  (You are always responsible for your own doctor’s/hospital's, and clinic bills.  This references a doctor that your representative makes you go to.) Asking these questions early helps you avoid unexpected costs and ensures you know exactly what to expect during your claim.

Great news for millions of Americans who rely on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI): the Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced a 2.8% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)  for 2026. This automatic increase is designed to help beneficiaries keep pace with inflation and preserve the purchasing power of their monthly payments*. While the headline is encouraging, the real-world impact, especially for those enrolled in Medicare, warrants a closer look. What Is COLA and How Is It Calculated? The COLA is not a bonus; it’s a safeguard. Each year, the SSA calculates the COLA based on changes in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W)  during the third quarter (July–September) compared to the same period in the last year a COLA was applied. 2026 COLA : 2.8% increase Purpose : To offset inflation and maintain benefit value Critique : CPI-W may underrepresent cost increases in housing and health care: key expenses for seniors and disabled individuals  Impact on SSDI and SSI Payments 1. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Average Monthly Benefit : Increasing from $1,586  to approximately $1,630 Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) : Non-blind: $1,690/month  (up from $1,620) Blind: $2,830/month  (up from $2,700) These thresholds affect eligibility for disability status and trial work periods. 2. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Federal Maximum Monthly Payment : Individual: $994  (up from $967) Couple: $1,491  (up from $1,450) Student Earned Income Exclusion : Monthly limit: $2,410 Annual limit: $9,730 Resource Limits : Unchanged at $2,000 (individual) and $3,000 (couple) Medicare Part B Premium Offset While the COLA increases gross benefit amounts, Medicare Part B premiums are deducted directly from SSDI payments , and they’re rising sharply in 2026: Estimated Increase : Nearly 12% , pushing the standard Part B premium to approximately $190/month , up from $170.10 Net Impact : For many SSDI beneficiaries, the $44 COLA increase may be consumed mainly by the $20+ hike in Medicare premiums Hold Harmless Provision There is a partial safeguard: the hold harmless rule  prevents your Social Security check from decreasing due to a Part B premium hike. However, this protection doesn’t apply to: New Medicare enrollees Those who pay higher income-related premiums Dual eligibles whose premiums are paid by Medicaid Medicaid and Dual Eligibility For beneficiaries with low income and limited resources , Medicaid may help offset the rising cost of Medicare premiums: SSI Recipients In most states , SSI recipients are automatically eligible for Medicaid Medicaid may cover Medicare Part B premiums , deductibles , and copayments This dual coverage significantly reduces out-of-pocket medical costs SSDI Recipients SSDI does not automatically qualify  you for Medicaid However, if your income is low enough, you may qualify for Medicaid or a Medicare Savings Program (MSP) These programs can: Pay your Part B premium Cover cost-sharing  (deductibles, coinsurance) Provide full Medicaid benefits  in some cases Dual Eligibility If you qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid (known as dual eligibility ), you may receive: Medicare  for primary coverage Medicaid  for supplemental support, including long-term care and prescription costs This coordination can dramatically reduce your medical expenses and protect your COLA increase from being eroded by rising premiums. What to Expect and What to Watch For SSA Notices : Personalized letters detailing your new benefit amount and Medicare deductions will arrive in December No Action Needed : The COLA and premium adjustments are automatic Budget Planning : Beneficiaries should factor in the Medicare offset and explore Medicaid eligibility if income is limited The 2.8% COLA for 2026 is a welcome adjustment, but for SSDI recipients enrolled in Medicare, the net gain may be modest unless Medicaid steps in. SSI recipients, who are often automatically enrolled in Medicaid, will see a more apparent increase. For those with dual eligibility, Medicaid can be a powerful buffer against rising health care costs.\ Examples of how the increases affect payments; not meant to reflect what any specific individual will receive or qualify for.  All claimants must check their individual accounts and amounts for qualifications.  States vary in what they provide and in their requirements. Please check with your state’s Health and Human Resources department. Questions? We are here to answer any questions you may have related to Social Security Disability or Medicare. Call us today! (833) 438-7734 * This is only a general guide to the COLA increase. Each person and situation may be different. If you have any questions regarding your personal situation, please contact us at (833) 438-7734. We may be able to help. This article doesn’t mean you are entitled to any benefits or resources listed; this is just a general overview and guide. This may not apply to you or anyone you may know.

ManleyReynolds attorney's wrote a detailed description and steps through the benefits process. Step 2: Request for Reconsideration Since most applications are initially denied, the second step is to request reconsideration. This is the same for both SSD and SSI claims. The request can be filed online, in person, or by mail. If you hire us, we will file the Reconsideration request for you, even if you did not contact us until after you received the initial denial. This step is substantially the same as the initial application process. There is more paperwork, more medical records, and possibly more consultative exams. The claimant is always responsible for keeping DDS and SSA informed of all medical providers, medical conditions, and doctor and hospital visits. When you are our client, we make sure this is done for you. Failing to complete anything that has been asked of you usually results in a denial for failure to comply. Generally, only 13% of Requests for Reconsideration are approved for benefits. Most people receive a denial letter at this step as well. Back to Our Approach Page

Past relevant work is work that you have done within the past 5 years that was substantial gainful activity. Any job held for less than 30 days is no longer considered relevant work Past Relevant Work (PRW). (1) Definition of past relevant work. Past relevant work is work that you have done within the past 5 years that was substantial gainful activity and that lasted long enough for you to learn to do it. ( See § 416.965(a).) Any job held for less than 30 days is no longer considered relevant work. Past 5 years SSA will go back five years from the date you allege you were no longer capable of full-time, sustained work activity. SGA For non-blind individuals, the monthly SGA amount for 2025 is $1,620.00 . The monthly SGA amount for statutorily blind individuals for 2025 is $2,700.00 . SGA for the blind does not apply to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, while SGA for the non-blind disabled applies to Social Security and SSI benefits. Substantial Work is "substantial" if it involves engaging in significant physical or mental activities, or a combination of both. Gainful Work is gainful if it is: performed for pay or profit; of a nature generally performed for pay or profit; or intended for profit, whether or not a profit is realized. Lasted long enough to learn Duration refers to the length of time during which the person gained job experience. It should have been sufficient for the worker to have learned the techniques, acquired information, and developed the facility needed for average performance in the job situation. The length of time this would take depends on the nature and complexity of the work. Any job held for less than 30 days is not used in determining this section. Back to FAQ Page

ManleyReynolds addresses frequently asked questions from previous interactions. As always, our attorneys are happy to answer questions! Frequently Asked Questions Reach an attorney directly at vickicorr@getssdi.org if you cannot find an answer to your question or want more information. Each person's situation is different; these questions and answers are for general information only. Do I qualify for Benefits? The immediate answer is, "it depends". Several factors determine whether you should start a claim with the Social Security Administration. The first question to answer is whether you are currently working. If you are and you make over a certain amount of money each month, you will not qualify for benefits. The monthly allowed amount changes annually. If the answer to the first question is no or you are under the allowed amount, the second question is, are my impairments medically determinable and have or will they last for at least 12 months? If the answer to both questions is yes then you should start the application process. If you are not sure about an answer, call our office and we can dicuss the situation with you! Link to Learn Even More How long does the process take? Most Initial Applications take between 6 and 8 months. Much of this time depends on how long your doctors take to respond to the requests for records. Requests for Reconsideration generally take between 4 and 6 months. Hearings before the Administrative Law Judge take 6 to 12 months. Link to Learn Even More How much does it cost? There are no out-of-pocket attorney fees for our clients. The Social Security Administration pays our attorney fees directly from the accrued back benefits. The SSA must approve all fees before they are released. There is never a fee if you do not receive benefits. Currently, the SSA determines attorney fees at 25% of the back benefits up to $7,500.00. Attorneys are never due anything from any future benefits clients receive. Link to Learn Even More How do I start? You can start an application for benefits several ways. 1. You can call us and we will start the process for you. 2. You can go on-line to ssa.gov and start. 3. You can go to or call your local field office for an appointment to start the claim. Link to Learn Even More Can I work? People are currently allowed to work and make up to $1,550.00 per month before tax and before being approved to receive benefits. SSI benefit recipients who are working will have a deduction in the amount of their monthly benefits. Please remember any person receiving SSI must inform the Social Security Administration of any work done each month. Link to Learn Even More I have no income, what do I do? The Federal Government does not offer any temporary benefits while your claim is pending. You can contact your local DHHS office to see if you qualify for benefits through their office. Please note that some DHHS offices will require you to repay the benefits you receive from them during the pendency of your social security claim. Link to Learn Even More What does disability mean? The Social Security Administration defines disability as a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that prevents an individual from engaging in any substantial gainful activity (SGA) and is expected to last for at least 12 months or result in death. Sounds pretty simple. But what is a medically determinable physical or mental impairment? Click here for a deep dive. What is substantial gainful activity (SGA)? Click here to find out more. Link to Learn Even More I applied before and I was denied, what can I do now? Call our office! Many times, even though someone has been denied, we are able to get them approved. Each person's case is different and we are happy to discuss your situation and let you know what we can do to help you. Link to Learn Even More Additional Questions? Call or text us today!