Homeowners with a homestead exemption should expect to soon receive a postcard from the Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD) in their mailbox verifying they have an exemption on their property. The appraisal district is mailing a confirmation postcard to all homeowners with a homestead exemption currently on file. Exemptions include Residence Homestead, Over-65, Disabled Person Exemptions, Disabled Veteran Exemptions, Over-55 Surviving Spouse Exemptions and Surviving Spouse Exemptions for spouses of members of the U.S. armed […]
Social Security
Social Security Accelerates Decisions for People with Severe Disabilities Agency Expands Compassionate Allowances List
Kilolo Kijakazi, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, today announced 12 new Compassionate Allowances conditions: Angioimmunoblastic T-cell Lymphoma, Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm, Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker Disease, Microvillus Inclusion Disease – Child, Mowat-Wilson Syndrome, Myelodysplastic Syndrome with Excess Blasts, NUT Carcinoma, Pfeiffer Syndrome – Types II and III, Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia, Posterior Cortical Atrophy, Renal Amyloidosis – AL Type, and Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma. The Compassionate Allowances program quickly identifies claims where the applicant’s condition or disease clearly meets Social Security’s […]
Social Security Board of Trustees: Outlook of Combined Trust Funds Improves
The Social Security Board of Trustees today released its annual report on the financial status of the Social Security Trust Funds. The combined asset reserves of the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Disability Insurance (OASI and DI) Trust Funds are projected to become depleted in 2035, one year later than projected last year, with 80 percent of benefits payable at that time. The OASI Trust Fund is projected to become depleted in 2034, one year […]
Social Security Delivers the Most Popular Baby Names in Texas for 2021
*Spanish Press Release Attached The Social Security Administration today announced the most popular baby names in Texas for 2021. Olivia and Liam topped the list. The top five boys and girls names for 2021 in Texas were: Boys: Liam Noah Elijah Mateo Sebastian Girls: Olivia Emma Camila Isabella Mia The agency announced last week that Olivia and Liam were the most popular baby names in the U.S. How does Texas compare to the rest of […]
Social Security and OIG Hold National Slam the Scam Day
The Social Security Administration and the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) are partnering to raise public awareness about Social Security imposter scams during the third annual “Slam the Scam” Day on March 10. Social Security scams – where fraudsters attempt to mislead victims into making cash or gift card payments to fix purported Social Security number problems or to avoid arrest – are an ongoing government imposter fraud scheme. For several years, Social Security […]
Social Security Announces 5.9 Percent Benefit Increase for 2022
Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for approximately 70 million Americans will increase 5.9 percent in 2022, the Social Security Administration announced today. The 5.9 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more than 64 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2022. Increased payments to approximately 8 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 30, 2021. (Note: some people receive both Social Security and SSI benefits). The Social Security Act […]
Social Security Announces Redesigned Statement — Now Available with a my Social Security Account
Kilolo Kijakazi, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, today introduced a new look and feel to the Social Security Statement, available online through the my Social Security portal at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount and by mail. The Statement is one of the most effective tools people can use to learn about their earnings and future Social Security benefits. This fresh look will allow millions of people to see their earnings information and estimates of future benefits quickly and securely. “One of my top priorities is to […]
Social Security Expands Compassionate Allowances Program for People with Severe Disabilities
Program Expedites Decisions for Disability Benefits Kilolo Kijakazi, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, today announced 12 new Compassionate Allowances conditions: Charlevoix Saguenay Spastic Ataxia (ARSACS), Choroid Plexus Carcinoma, CIC-rearranged Sarcoma, Congenital Zika Syndrome, Desmoplastic Mesothelioma, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy – Adult, Pericardial Mesothelioma, Refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma, Renpenning Syndrome, SCN8A Related Epilepsy with Encephalopathy, SYNGAP1-related NSID, and Taybi-Linder Syndrome. Compassionate Allowances is an initiative that quickly identifies severe medical conditions and diseases that meet Social Security’s standards […]
Outreach to Vulnerable Populations During the COVID-19 Pandemic
By Sarah Schultz-Lackey Social Security Dallas Region Communications Director People who struggle with low-income, limited English proficiency, homelessness, or with mental illness have historically relied on meeting with us in person at our local offices to get the help they need. Currently, Social Security offices are open only for in-person appointments for limited, critical situations, depending upon local office conditions. If you cannot use our online services, please call your local office or our National […]
File 2020 Tax Return with the IRS to Receive Missing Economic Impact Payments
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued the third round of Economic Impact Payments (EIP) in April. Most Social Security beneficiaries and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients should have received their EIPs by now. If a person is missing their first or second EIP, they need to file a 2020 tax return with the IRS and claim the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit (RRC) as soon as possible. Any person who did not receive his or her […]