Newsletter

Summer 2017

Contact Us
1-888-WIN-SSDI

In This Issue...
Important News from the Social Security Administration
Get Help When Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits
Recipe of the Month: Banana Split Kebobs
What's Happening in Syracuse, NY & Orlando, FL

Important News from the Social Security

Administration

Annual Trustee Fund Report: Social Security Fund Will Be Tapped Out by 2034

The Board of Trustees for the Social Security funds recently issued their 2016 Trust
Fund report. The 2 funds are:

The Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund for retired workers and
their families as well as the families of deceased workers.
The Disability Insurance Trust Fund for Social Security Disability (SSD) payments
to disabled workers and their families.

When the funds are considered separately, benefit payments from the old age fund must
be reduced to 75% by 2035 if no legislative action is taken. For the disability fund,
payments will be reduced to 93% of a beneficiary's benefit by 2028, again if no
legislative action is taken. The disability fund projection is 5 years later than previously
reported, primarily due to fewer than expected applications for disability benefits.

An Early Projection for the 2018 Social Security Cost of Living Increase

Based on Consumer Price Index (CPI) data through April of 2017, Social Security
cost-of-living increases next January may be as high as 2.1%. This percentage is much
higher than 2017's increase of 0.3%. Since 2012, the increases have averaged 1%
including no increase in 2016.

Cost-of-living increases in old age, disability and survivor benefits are based on
increases in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers
published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The COLAs are measured on price inflation
from the third quarter of the prior year to the same quarter of the current year. A formal
announcement of next year's COLA will be made in October.

Beware of Scammers Who Claim to be From the Social Security Administration

Individuals claiming to be employees of the Social Security Administration are making

fraudulent calls to steal money and identities. The caller attempts to get personally
identifiable information to redirect benefits to a new direct deposit account or change the
victim's contact information.

Contact your local Social Security office or call them at 800-772-1213 if you have any
questions or concerns about a telephone contact.

Our experienced attorneys can help you determine if any of these programs can help
your family, or contact your original attorney or representative if you were referred
to us for your appeal.

Get Help When Applying for Social Security

Disability Benefits

You may be eligible for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits if you are unable to
work. You should apply for SSD as soon as you stop working if your doctor estimates
that you will be unable to work for at least a year, based on your disability.

Applying for SSD

The information that you will need to complete the SSD application includes:

Dependent information
Marriage and divorce dates
Military service dates
Health care provider contact information including doctors, hospitals, clinics and
specialists
Medical test results
List of all medications with prescribing doctors
Proof of earnings such as W-2 forms
Job descriptions
Insurance claim or Workers' Compensation information

You can apply in person at the nearest SSA office or online.

SSD Claim Approval May Take a Significant Amount of Time

Since most initial applications are denied - usually because of missing information - you
should immediately reapply. The first stage of the appeal process is called
Reconsideration.

If your application is again denied, you can request a hearing before a judge. The
average wait time for a hearing is 21 months. Once approved, you may be eligible for
back payments or benefits that you would have received if your application was
approved immediately. In some cases you may receive retroactive payments back to
your original disability date.

Expedited processing may be available for very serious disabilities such as certain types
of cancer and ALS under the SSD Compassionate Allowances program.

Applying for benefits can be very frustrating. We have extensive experience with SSD
applications and, if your initial application is denied, can help you navigate through the
complicated appeals process to give you the best chance of success.

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If you or a loved one has been denied Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits, Long
Term Disability or New York Workers' Compensation, its important to get an attorney
experienced in these types of cases involved immediately. Call 1-888-WIN-SSDI
(1-888-946-7734) for your initial free consultation, either in our office or in the comfort of
your own home. The Olinsky Law Group, Social Security attorney in Syracuse and
Orlando, can help you navigate the application process for the best possible outcome for
you and your family. Please note, if you were referred to us for your appeal, contact
your original attorney or representative.

Recipe of the Month

Banana Split Kebobs

Here's a great healthy summer dessert -- fresh fruit kebobs. Make it fun for the kids with
a drizzle of chocolate and crushed peanuts (if there are no allergies!).

Ingredients
2 bananas, cut into 1" pieces
24 1" pieces pineapple
12 large strawberries, rinsed, dried, and halved

Optional
2 c. chocolate chips
1/2 c. peanuts, chopped

Directions
1. Make kebobs: Thread two pieces each banana, pineapple, and strawberry onto
skewer. Repeat process to assemble all skewers. Place all on parchment-lined
baking sheet.

Chocolate and peanut option:

2. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals,

stirring in between, until completely smooth.
3. Drizzle chocolate over fruit kebobs and top with chopped peanuts. Freeze until
ready to serve.

Recipe courtesy of Delish.com

What's Happening in Syracuse, NY & Orlando, FL

Aug 1 - Oct 1 (various days)
Cirque du Soleil - La Nouba
Downtown Disney
Orlando, FL
http://orlando.eventful.com/events/cirque-du-soleil-la-noub-/E0-001-094572924-1@2017
080118

Aug 5 - 6
Oktoberfest
Long Branch Park at Onondaga Lake Park
Syracuse, NY
http://eventful.com/syracuse/events/oktoberfest-/E0-001-082831089-0

Aug 12
Scottish Games & Celtic Festival
Long Branch Park at Onondaga Lake Park
Syracuse, NY
http://eventful.com/syracuse/events/scottish-games-celtic-festival-/E0-001-082831086-3

Aug 24 - Sept 4
Great New York State Fair
New York State Fairgrounds
Syracuse, NY
http://eventful.com/syracuse/events/great-new-york-state-fair-/E0-001-055473314-1

Sep 17
Westcott Street Cultural Fair
Westcott Community Center
Syracuse, NY
http://eventful.com/syracuse/events/westcott-street-cultural-fair-/E0-001-102917943-3

Sept 30
2017 Orlando Brunch Festival
Festival Park
Orlando, FL
http://orlando.eventful.com/events/2017-orlando-brunch-festival-/E0-001-103949563-1

Oct 21
Renaissance Festival of Central Florida
Bill Frederick Park
Orlando, FL
http://orlando.eventful.com/events/renaissance-festival-central-florida-/E0-001-10297413
1-9

Oct 28 - 29
Fossil Fair
Central Florida Fairgrounds
Orlando, FL
http://orlando.eventful.com/events/fossilfair-/E0-001-094010207-8@2017102809

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300 South State Street, Suite 420
Syracuse, NY 13202

Southeast Regional Center

Glenridge Building
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Orlando, FL 32817

1-888-WIN-SSDI
info@windisability.com

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