Some people know that when you apply for disability benefits from Social Security, you have the right to appeal the decision you do not agree with.  But did you know that now you can file an appeal over the Internet?  Doing it online can help speed the process and assist Social Security in serving you better.

The Internet Appeal process is a fast, convenient, secure way to appeal a decision on your Social Security disability claim that you don’t agree with.  You can file your appeal online at www.socialsecurity.gov/disability/appeal.

To use the Internet Appeal process, you need to have applied for Social Security or Supplemental Security Income disability benefits and been denied for medical reasons.  Please remember to have your denial notice with you when you begin this process because you will need to refer to it.

When you use the Internet Appeal process, just as when you appeal in a Social Security office, there are two steps you’ll need to take.

First, complete the Appeal Request.  It will ask you questions about yourself, such as updated information on your address, your disabling condition and your work.

Second, complete the Appeal Disability Report.  This section will ask you detailed questions about your medical history, such as updates in your medications, doctor and hospital visits.  In this section, we want to learn all we can about your disabling condition.

After you’ve completed the two sections of the Internet Appeal, you’ll be ready to review and submit your information.  You’ll have the opportunity to print a copy of your appeal for your records.  But you won’t have to mail a copy to us; just submit the appeal electronically.

Online appeals represent one of many transactions you can now complete right over the Internet using Social Security’s website.  You can also apply for retirement, disability or spouse’s benefits, request to replace your Medicare card and plan for your retirement.

To learn more about appealing a Social Security decision online, or to begin an appeal now, visit the Internet Appeals page at www.socialsecurity.gov/disability/appeal.

America saves for

retirement

America Saves is a nationwide campaign involving a broad coalition of more than 1,000 nonprofit, corporate, and government agencies, groups and organizations.  The campaign was designed to help individuals and families save and build wealth.

America Saves helps people by providing information, advice and encouragement on saving for important things like a home, education and retirement.

Saving for retirement is a critical goal that sometimes gets forgotten in the day-to-day management of money.

For the average American worker, Social Security will replace about 40 percent of his or her pre-retirement earnings.  However, according to financial experts, you will probably need at least 70 percent of your annual working income when you retire to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle.  The remaining 30 percent will need to come from private pension plans, savings or investments.  That’s why it’s important to save for your retirement — even if it’s not easy to part with those extra dollars.

Many people believe that low- and moderate-income families cannot afford to save and build wealth.  Yet research shows that there are “savers” and “spenders” in all income classes and almost everyone has the ability to build wealth over time.

We at Social Security share the goal of America Saves: to encourage all Americans to save, and to help them do just that.

For more information visit www.americasavesweek.org

You can also use the free resources provided by Social Security.  Every year, about two to three months before your birthday, workers 25 and older receive a Social Security Statement in the mail.  The Statement gives you an estimate, based on current earnings, of what you might expect in Social Security retirement benefits.  And by using our online Retirement Planner, you can personalize various financial scenarios to determine what your individual retirement plan should look like.  Visit the Retirement Planner at www.socialsecurity.gov/retire2

Medicare Part B deadline approaching

If you didn’t sign up for Medicare Part B medical insurance when you first became eligible for Medicare, you now have an opportunity to apply — but time is running out.  The deadline for applying is March 31, 2008.  If you miss the deadline, you will have to wait until 2009 to apply.

Medicare Part B covers some medical expenses not covered by Medicare Part A (hospital insurance), such as doctors’ fees, outpatient hospital visits and other medical supplies and services that are not covered by Medicare Part A.

When you first become eligible for hospital insurance (Part A), you have a seven-month period (your initial enrollment period) in which to sign up for medical insurance (Part B).  After that, you have to pay a higher premium — unless you were covered through an employer’s group health plan or a group health plan based on a spouse’s employment.  You are given another opportunity to enroll in Part B during the general enrollment period, from January 1 to March 31 of each year.  But each 12-month period that you are eligible for Medicare Part B and do not sign up, the amount of your monthly premium increases by 10 percent.

You can learn more about Medicare by reading our electronic booklet, Medicare (SSA Publication No. 05-10043) at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10043.html. Learn more about Social Security by visiting our website at www.socialsecurity.gov.  Or call us at 1.800.772.1213 (TTY 1.800.325.0778).

Rufus Gaston is Public Affairs Specialist for the Social Security office in Metropolitan Detroit.