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Fellow Federationists,</div>
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You may have noticed that the National Federation of the Blind, at every level, National, State, and Local Chapters, have been leaning into our legislative and advocacy efforts. This year is different because aside from doing our usual advocating for the Nation's
Blind to build on all the wonderful achievements of our efforts to improve the lives of the Blind over the last 84 years, those achievements of the past, i.e. our current rights, are under attack.</div>
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I know it's hard at times to distinguish between fact and rumor, "real news" and "fake news," but please do not allow our mission to get lost in the noise. This announcement is from the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR).
<span style="font-weight: 300;">NOSSCR is a specialized bar association for attorneys and advocates who represent Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income claimants throughout the adjudicative process.</span></div>
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<b>Announcement from NOSSCR: </b></div>
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Overpayment Default Withholding Rate Change</div>
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Social Security has just announced that “it will increase the default overpayment withholding rate for Social Security beneficiaries to 100 percent of a person’s monthly benefit.” The default withholding rate had been changed to 10% under former Commissioner
O’Malley’s tenure, but the agency has reverted to the prior 100% withholding policy.</div>
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Please review these additional details and update your clients accordingly:</div>
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“As of March 27, the agency will begin mailing notices about the new 100 percent withholding rate, rather than the recent adjustment of just 10 percent. The withholding rate change applies to new overpayments related to Social Security benefits. The withholding
rate for current beneficiaries with an overpayment before March 27 will not change and no action is required. The withholding rate for Supplemental Security Income overpayments remains 10 percent.</div>
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People who are overpaid after March 27 will automatically be placed in full recovery at a rate of 100 percent of the Social Security payment. If someone cannot afford full recovery of their overpayment, they can contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or
their local office to request a lower rate of recovery.”</div>
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NOSSCR is opposed to a default 100% recovery rate, and we will advocate for restoration of this overpayment relief provision.</div>
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First, contact your U.S. Representative and Senator to voice your opposition to these changes.</div>
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Second, a few key takeaways about this change for your information:</div>
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<div class="elementToProof" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in;">If you receive SSI only, this does not affect you.</div>
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<div class="elementToProof" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in;"> If you are receiving SSDI and are currently repaying an overpayment at a rate of 10%, this does not affect you, and no action is necessary.</div>
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<div class="elementToProof" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in;">SSDI beneficiaries, please take note. It says that this will be for "new" overpayments after March 27, but "new" might not be be what you think they mean by "new." This does not mean this
would only apply to benefits they overpay you for in the future, but rather "new" allegations of an overpayment. That is, lets say your case is under review, as they regularly are, and the Social Security Administration alleges they overpaid you in 2024, they
will then begin to withold 100% of your next benefit and subsequent payments until the overpayment is repaid in full, or any of the available options to you are taken. The "actions" available to you are the customary "fights" with SSA that we all have suffered
through at one time or another.</div>
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Regards,<br>
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Javier Diaz, MS CFP® RMA® ChSNC®</div>
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Board Member</div>
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National Federation of the Blind of Florida</div>
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