The Legal Tech Blog

New Pennsylvania Law Requires Direct Deposit for Workers’ Compensation Payments

Published on: March 24, 2025

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed Senate Bill 1232 (2024 Act 126), mandating Employers and Insurers to offer direct deposit for workers’ compensation wage loss benefits. This law, effective December 28, 2024, modernizes the payment system, reducing delays and losses associated with paper checks. Key Points of Senate Bill 1232: Effective…

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Social Security Disability and SSI-Related Benefits to Increase by 2.5% in 2025

Published on: December 20, 2024

Social Security Administration benefits will see a 2.5% increase in 2025. This cost-of-living adjustment will affect (1) retirees, (2) people receiving Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits, and (3) recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The increase rate is lower than in previous years—3.2% in 2024, 8.7% in 2023, and 5.9%…

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Beware of Social Security Scams: How to Protect Yourself from Fraudulent Activities

Published on: December 18, 2024

The Social Security Administration has issued a notice to recipients of Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income, and Retirement benefits to be aware of potential scams. There has been an increase in fraudulent activities targeting individuals through text messages, emails, phone calls, and social media. Understanding Social Security Scams The…

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Exciting Changes to SSI Applications: What You Need to Know

Published on: September 12, 2024

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced some big changes aimed at simplifying the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) online application process. SSI provides monthly payments to people with disabilities and older adults who have limited income or resources, but the current application can be tricky to navigate. Many applicants find…

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New Social Security Rule: Only 5 Years of Work History Required for Disability Benefits Starting June 22, 2024

Published on: August 6, 2024

The Social Security Administration has updated its requirements and now only asks for five years of work history instead of 15 when applying for Social Security Disability (SSD) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Starting June 22, 2024, any job lasting fewer than 30 days will also be excluded. This…

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Social Security Administration Updates Disability Evaluation Process for Fairness

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has updated the criteria for evidence admissible in hearings for Disability and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims. This welcome and much-needed revision will allow more applicants to qualify for disability benefits, particularly at the fifth step of the evaluation process. The SSA Disability Evaluation Process…

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Even College Age Kids Need Estate Planning Documents

Published on: May 31, 2024

When our kids go off to college, we don't usually think about them needing estate planning documents. We might have them for ourselves, but not for our kids. But here's the deal, once our kids turn 18, even though we still see them as our babies, legally, they're adults. That…

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Social Security Overpayments – Making the Process Fairer

The Social Security Administration recently announced dramatic revisions to its system for addressing overpayments. For the first time, it is recognizing that the system as it stood was often unfair. It’s about time. For forever, the system has been arbitrary and unfair, and we have seen clients seriously impacted even…

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Can I Get Workers’ Compensation Benefits and Severance Pay?

Published on: March 11, 2024

Suppose you receive workers’ compensation wage loss benefits and were hurt in Pennsylvania. In that case, your Employer is generally entitled to credit for any severance or separation payments it makes to you. However, the Employer is only entitled to a credit for the net amount you receive—not the gross amount…

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Social Security Compassionate Allowances – The Disorders That Fast-Track Your Disability Application

Published on: January 29, 2024

The application process for Social Security Disability benefits and Supplemental Security Income is incredibly long—taking approximately two years until you actually receive benefits. We are often asked if there is anything we can do to expedite the process. Other than responding promptly to any requests for information and attending physical…

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