What Happened to the Social Security Lockbox?

Remember the Social Security Lockbox?

It was the talk of the town about eight years ago, before Hurricane Katrina and the War on Terror. The purpose of the lockbox was to secure that there would be future funds for recipients of Social Security.

During the 109th Congress, from January 3, 2005 until January 3, 2007, not a single member of Congress was signed onto lockbox legislation.

Fortunately, 20 members have already signed on to the 110th Congress and are showing their support. Unfortunately, the budget is in a deficit and if they want to pay back the IOU’s they are going to have to either raise the retirement age, reduce benefits or raise taxes.

Will this help future generations in getting the Social Security benefits and social security disability benefits they are paying in for now? Not likely.

The Trustees say that the Social Security Trust Fund is expected to be in deficit by 2017. As if that isn’t enough, they also expect the Social Security Trust Fund to be bankrupt by 2041.







For information on Social Security Disability, visit the

Social Security Disability SSI Resource Center














Additional Resources

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New Video Conferencing for Rural Montana Veterans

A new video conferencing system is being put in place for rural Montana veterans, giving them easier contact with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This system, in tandem with VA staff and Valley Veterans Service Center (VVSC) volunteers, will make it much easier for these veterans to receive the benefits that they deserve.

VVSC is a non-profit organization located in Hamilton, to assist veterans in Southwestern Montana.

This pilot program is the first of its kind, offering staffing support with face-to-face video-conferencing technology. Currently, it is only being offered in Montana, for those living rurally, not near the Fort Harrison VA benefits office.

The system will allow veterans to go to the Hamilton VVSC to receive help from trained volunteers in conducting a video conference to speak directly with the VA in Fort Harrson, instead of having to drive there. This service is currently available during business hours on Fridays.

The goal of this new pilot system is to decrease the amount of travel rural Montana veterans and their families have to travel to conduct business that helps them receive their earned benefits.






For information on Social Security Disability, visit the

Social Security Disability SSI Resource Center

Social Security Disability Facts

Ever wondered about Social Security disability and how it works? Here are a few simple facts that can help you determine whether you might be eligible for Social Security disability.

You can actually work and be considered disabled, but you will only be found disabled if your condition prevents you from being able to work and earn at least a certain minimum amount each month (this amount is known as substantial gainful activity). If you cannot work and earn at least this amount per month (and that's before taxes), then you may possibly be considered disabled.

Additionally, the social security disability definition of disability infers that you are only qualified as ‘disabled’ if your disability may possibly result in death and it must be expected to last at least one year if it has not already.

Social Security disability is not instant. How long does it take? It can easily take at least three to six months to receive a decision about your claim after you file an application. In the meantime, hopefully you have a savings account and investments to help cover the costs of sustaining yourself.

Other important things to know

Social Security disability does not pay for partial disability or short term disability; it only pays for total disability, as outlined above. Why is this? Probably because insurance and worker’s compensation are expected to cover short-term disabilities.

If you get approved for social security disability, the amount of monies you may receive are dependent upon your Social Security earnings in record. The amount you may receive is not dependent upon your current wages or your current job, but on work done in jobs covered by Social Security. In other words, if you have paid into the system and earned enough quarters of coverage, then you may be eligible to receive social security disability provided you meet the medical eligibility requirements of the program.







For information on Social Security Disability, visit the

Social Security Disability SSI Resource Center














Additional Resources

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