| Social Security News OCTOBER 2016 |
Social Security Publishes Final Rule to Revise Medical Criteria for Evaluating Mental Disorders
On Monday, the Social Security Administration will publish final rules, effective January 17, 2017, that revise medical criteria for
evaluating mental disorders. This regulation is a comprehensive revision to the criteria for evaluating disability claims involving
mental disorders.
"Updating our medical criteria for the disability program is a challenging task that has been complicated by deep budgetary cuts
in recent years," said Carolyn W. Colvin, the Acting Commissioner of Social Security. "We are committed to updating our
regulations to reflect up-to-date standards and practices used in the health care community."
The final rule is the last step in a careful, deliberative process that engaged relevant stakeholders, including current disability
beneficiaries and their family members, mental-health physicians and treatment providers, and advocacy groups for those with
mental disorders. It also reflects information from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth edition, the
mental health profession's current standard classification of mental disorders. In addition to reflecting comments from members
of the public, the rule also reflects an intellectual disability report we commissioned from the National Academy of Sciences, and
the expertise of disability policy experts, adjudicators, psychiatric professionals, and vocational experts who provided input at
every phase of the rulemaking process.
The publication of this final rule is an important cornerstone of our effort to secure today and tomorrow for members of the public
with mental illness who are some of our most vulnerable beneficiaries.
You can learn more about the revised criteria at https://www.ssa.gov/regulations/recentregulatory.html.
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Social Security Checks Arriving Early for Those Anticipating High Intensity Storms
Carolyn W. Colvin, the Acting Commissioner of Social Security, today announced that benefit checks are being delivered to some
residents on Thursday, September 1st, before the arrivals of Tropical Storm Hermine, Hurricane Lester, Hurricane Madeline, and
Tropical Depression Eight and ahead of the regular September 3rd payment date. About 12,750 beneficiaries in Hawaii, Florida,
and North Carolina are affected by this early check delivery.
“As families gather supplies and prepare for the storms, getting their checks delivered early eliminates one concern many
beneficiaries have,” Acting Commissioner Colvin said. “Our beneficiaries rely on these checks to purchase the items they need
to get through the storms or for transportation costs of evacuating to safer locations. We want to remind all of our beneficiaries
that we offer direct deposit as a more secure and convenient option of receiving their benefits, especially when natural disasters
strike.”
Social Security worked closely with the U.S. Postal Service and the Department of the Treasury to make the early delivery of
checks possible. The Department of the Treasury, through the Federal Reserve, has requested that the financial institutions in
the affected areas honor the paper checks.
Beneficiaries living in the following counties will receive early delivery.
State Counties Affected Beneficiaries Affected
Hawaii All 3,220
Florida Citrus, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Pasco, 8,189
Pinellas, Polk and Manatee
North Carolina Brunswick, Carteret, Currituck, Dare, Hyde, 1,335
Onslow, New Hanover and Pender
To start or change direct deposit, manage benefits, and so much more visit www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount and create a my
Social Security account. my Social Security is a secure, convenient option for people to do business with Social Security
anywhere and anytime.
To find information about Social Security office closures visit our Office Closings and Emergencies website at
www.socialsecurity.gov/agency/emergency/.
On Monday, the Social Security Administration will publish final rules, effective January 17, 2017, that revise medical criteria for
evaluating mental disorders. This regulation is a comprehensive revision to the criteria for evaluating disability claims involving
mental disorders.
"Updating our medical criteria for the disability program is a challenging task that has been complicated by deep budgetary cuts
in recent years," said Carolyn W. Colvin, the Acting Commissioner of Social Security. "We are committed to updating our
regulations to reflect up-to-date standards and practices used in the health care community."
The final rule is the last step in a careful, deliberative process that engaged relevant stakeholders, including current disability
beneficiaries and their family members, mental-health physicians and treatment providers, and advocacy groups for those with
mental disorders. It also reflects information from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth edition, the
mental health profession's current standard classification of mental disorders. In addition to reflecting comments from members
of the public, the rule also reflects an intellectual disability report we commissioned from the National Academy of Sciences, and
the expertise of disability policy experts, adjudicators, psychiatric professionals, and vocational experts who provided input at
every phase of the rulemaking process.
The publication of this final rule is an important cornerstone of our effort to secure today and tomorrow for members of the public
with mental illness who are some of our most vulnerable beneficiaries.
You can learn more about the revised criteria at https://www.ssa.gov/regulations/recentregulatory.html.
**********
Social Security Checks Arriving Early for Those Anticipating High Intensity Storms
Carolyn W. Colvin, the Acting Commissioner of Social Security, today announced that benefit checks are being delivered to some
residents on Thursday, September 1st, before the arrivals of Tropical Storm Hermine, Hurricane Lester, Hurricane Madeline, and
Tropical Depression Eight and ahead of the regular September 3rd payment date. About 12,750 beneficiaries in Hawaii, Florida,
and North Carolina are affected by this early check delivery.
“As families gather supplies and prepare for the storms, getting their checks delivered early eliminates one concern many
beneficiaries have,” Acting Commissioner Colvin said. “Our beneficiaries rely on these checks to purchase the items they need
to get through the storms or for transportation costs of evacuating to safer locations. We want to remind all of our beneficiaries
that we offer direct deposit as a more secure and convenient option of receiving their benefits, especially when natural disasters
strike.”
Social Security worked closely with the U.S. Postal Service and the Department of the Treasury to make the early delivery of
checks possible. The Department of the Treasury, through the Federal Reserve, has requested that the financial institutions in
the affected areas honor the paper checks.
Beneficiaries living in the following counties will receive early delivery.
State Counties Affected Beneficiaries Affected
Hawaii All 3,220
Florida Citrus, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Pasco, 8,189
Pinellas, Polk and Manatee
North Carolina Brunswick, Carteret, Currituck, Dare, Hyde, 1,335
Onslow, New Hanover and Pender
To start or change direct deposit, manage benefits, and so much more visit www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount and create a my
Social Security account. my Social Security is a secure, convenient option for people to do business with Social Security
anywhere and anytime.
To find information about Social Security office closures visit our Office Closings and Emergencies website at
www.socialsecurity.gov/agency/emergency/.