Recent News Items and Useful Information Regarding Social Security.

The process of filing Social Security appeals for non-me\ical determinations and adverse actions has become much easier. The appeal process for issues such as Medicare premium rates, and overpayments, can now be done online. Each step of the appeal process can be done through the easy-to-use appeals application and helpful publications that explain the process are available.

It was announced in October 2016 that Social Security benefits for Americans would increase by 0.3 percent in 2017. This cost-of-living adjustment is in contrast to no adjustment in 2016. Although the expected adjustment for 2017 is lower than adjustments in earlier years, it reflects the current low inflation rate.

The shift to provide more online options for Social Security recipients now includes the benefit application process. The new system will allow applicants to receive information concerning the status of their applications.

Replacement forms for the annual Social Security benefit statements that are sent to recipients in January are also now available online. The SSA-1099 tax form lists the total amount of benefits that were paid to the recipient in the year that just ended.

People who filed for Social Security benefits before May 1, 1997, receive their payments on the third day of each month. The payment days for people who registered for benefits on or after May 1, 1997, now vary according to which day of the month they were born. Recipients whose birthdays are between the 1st and the 10th of the month will receive payment on the second Wednesday of each month.

For Social Security recipients whose birthday falls between the 11th and 20th of the month, payment day will be on the third Wednesday of each month. Recipients whose birthdays are after the 20th of the month will receive payments on the fourth Wednesday of the month.