Latest news with #StutiGupta
Hindustan Times
01-08-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Social Security change coming in August: SSA to roll out new policy. What to know
The Social Security Administration (SSA) will introduce a new multi-factor authorization policy starting mid-August. The agency plans to roll out a new Security Authentication Pin (SAP) to protect beneficiaries' personal accounts. Initially, the move drew sharp criticism from advocates who suggested that the in-person visits required to facilitate such a shift would put people with disabilities, senior citizens, and rural communities at risk of being left out. However, the SSA has provided clarification in this regard. Social Security Administration is rolling out a major change in August: Here's all you need to know about it(REUTERS) SSA clarifies the need for in-person visits In response to concerns, the agency confirmed that in-office visits would not be mandatory for those willing to opt into the SSA's latest security provision. 'The filing with OMB will be amended to clarify that the use of the Security Authentication PIN (SAP) feature is entirely optional,' a spokesperson for the agency told Newsweek on Thursday (July 31). 'We are encouraging my Social Security account holders to use the enhanced SAP feature to quickly and securely verify their identity when calling the National 800 Number. Beneficiaries and my Social Security account holders are not required to set up or have a SAP for identity verification or manage their benefits over the phone – when calling the National 800 Number, they will continue to use the existing identity verification process.' Why the sudden change? The SSA had initially planned on keeping the verification process open only for those willing to visit their nearest office, removing the option to do the same over a phone call. However, this would have added 3.4 million office visits to the SSA's schedule, per the outlet. Due to recent staffing cuts, 1 SSA employee is expected to serve 1,480 beneficiaries, as per AFGE's estimates, which implies that this policy would have overburdened the workforce as well. Now, the option to verify the same over the call is also available. In terms of changes, the agency has now started withholding up to 50% of benefits in case of overpayments. Improper payments usually occur due to miscalculation, failure to update status, or false income reporting. A beneficiary can ask for a waiver if they are facing financial troubles or are granted the option to appeal and request smaller withholdings. Beneficiaries must keep checking their notices and emails to be updated in case they are included in these categories. With contribution from Stuti Gupta
Hindustan Times
31-07-2025
- Science
- Hindustan Times
From Lituya Bay to Icy Bay, some of the worst tsunamis in US history
As per the official website of World Data, 75 tidal waves classified as tsunamis have rocked the American shoreline since 1737. Here's a look at some of the deadliest catastrophes, as compiled by Freight Waves: Worst tsunamis to hit the US (Representational Image) Lituya Bay, Alaska (July 10, 1958) A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck the Fairweather Fault in southeastern Alaska on July 10, 1958. Five people died as a result: three on Khantaak Island at the mouth of Yakutat Bay and two by their boat sinking at Lituya Bay. This generated a gargantuan wave to the height of 1,720 feet, the world's largest recorded tsunami, as per the Western States Seismic Policy Council. Icy Bay, Alaska (Oct. 18, 2015) According to the National Park Service, nobody was close enough to the catastrophe for any physical harm or injury to follow, although the infrastructure took a major hit as a result. The same was scattered in smithereens across a beach used for landing bush planes. Landslides typically happen in conjunction with tsunamis, specifically around Alaska's parks. Also Read: Watch: Klyuchevskoy volcano in Russia's far east erupts after 8.8 earthquake Lituya Bay (Oct. 27, 1936) A tsunami standing at a height of 490 feet in Crillon Inlet at the head of the bay was witnessed by four individuals, all of whom survived the catastrophe. Triggered by a landslide, the maximum inundation distance was 2,000 feet inland along the north shore of the bay. Lituya Bay (Jan. 1, 1853) What was then the Russian part of America, a large landslide on the south shore of the bay near Mudslide Creek triggered a tsunami with a wave height of about 394 feet, which flooded the coast of the bay up to 750 feet inland. Due to a lack of official records, geologists have had to rely on studies and evidence from the region to piece together the event. Shumagin Islands, Alaska (Aug. 6, 1788) Unfinished Russian accounts point out that the area between east central Kodiak Island and Sanak Island most likely ruptured due to two tsunami-producing earthquakes in the summer of 1788. This was followed by a second earthquake that inundated the Shumagin and Sanak islands. Surveys estimate the magnitude of the earthquake at 8.0. With contribution from Stuti Gupta
Hindustan Times
31-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
$1,390 stimulus checks: Who's eligible for relief pay out from IRS? Date and mode of payment
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will soon start rolling out stimulus payments to millions of Americans who are eligible to receive them. These tax-free checks are part of a federal plan to provide relief to low and middle-income households from escalating prices and living standards. Since these payments are tax-free, beneficiaries need not include them while filing their tax returns for the year. This $1,390 payment also won't impact beneficiaries' existing benefits like Medicaid, SNAP, or housing assistance, as reported by The Mirror. IRS $1,390 stimulus checks: Eligibility criteria, mode of payment, and more(Unsplash ) Here's all you need to know about when, where, and who will receive these payments: Eligibility criteria Since this stimulus check is meant to benefit lower-ranking sections of society, eligibility is determined by the beneficiary's income and tax status. These people are most likely to qualify for receiving this payment: • Single taxpayers with an income up to $75,000 • Married couples filing jointly with an income of up to $150,000 • A head of household with an income up to $112,500 • People on federal benefits like SSDI, SSI, and VA programs • Families with dependents may get extra money A huge indicator that might be receiving these payments would be people who have received similar benefits in the past as well. When will these checks be circulated? No official date for releasing the payments has been announced by the IRS as of now. However, these checks are expected to start being delivered in mid-2025, meaning that the process could start sooner than later. How will I receive my payment? Depending on the mode of payment selected by the beneficiary for receiving other benefits, here are the possible ways to receive your check: • If your bank account details have already been filed with the IRS or Social Security, your check will likely come by direct deposit, which is the fastest mode of receiving payments. • In case the bank account details of a beneficiary aren't filed in, payments will be sent via traditional paper checks, which could take longer. • Some people may also receive their benefits in the form of a prepaid or EIP debit card. With contribution from Stuti Gupta
Hindustan Times
29-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Social Security payments August 2025: When and how much money will you receive?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) will soon begin rolling out August payments to beneficiaries. Since August 3—the typical date for some people to receive their benefits—falls on a weekend, those eligible will get their payments early. When will you receive your Social Security payments for August? (Unsplash) Social Security payments August: Eligibility criteria You are eligible to receive this paper check if you: • are an SSI beneficiary • have updated your bank information • have not had a recent change in status How much will you receive? 'The monthly maximum Federal amounts for 2025 are $967 for an eligible individual, $1,450 for an eligible individual with an eligible spouse, and $484 for an essential person,' reads the official SSA website. 'In general, monthly amounts for the next year are determined by increasing the unrounded annual amounts for the current year by the COLA effective for January of the next year. The new unrounded amounts are then each divided by 12, and the resulting amounts are rounded down to the next lower multiple of $1.' When will you receive it? Due to the calendar's structure, supplemental security income will be delivered on August 1 instead of August 3. Retirees, SSDI, and other recipients who began receiving benefits before May 1997 will get their payments on August 2. Apart from this, those receiving only social security benefits will get their checks depending on their birthdate and the regular payment schedule. For those born from the 1st to 10 of any month, payments are given on the second Wednesday, i.e., August 14 For those born from the 11th to 20th of any month, payments are given on the third Wednesday, i.e., August 21 For those born from the 21st to 31st of any month, payments are given on the fourth Wednesday, i.e., August 28 What are the changes? The SSA had recently announced plans to switch beneficiaries who have still opted to receive their payments through paper checks to the digital mode instead. Due to concerns about access to and literacy in the digital medium, this change has now been delayed beyond September. The agency confirmed this delay last week, as reported by News Break. Beneficiaries are still encouraged to opt for direct deposits over paper checks to ease the process and receive their payments on time. With contribution from Stuti Gupta
Hindustan Times
27-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
SSA to roll out August payments for beneficiaries soon: Check schedule, eligibility and more
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is scheduled to roll out its August payments for beneficiaries soon. Depending on the number of benefits you are entitled to receive, your payment dates will differ according to a pre-decided calendar. However, due to the complexities in next month's calendar, beneficiaries will receive two checks, and some even three, during August. For those impacted by this change, it is important to understand the reasons behind it. SSA to roll out August payments for beneficiaries soon: Check schedule, eligibility and more (REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo)(REUTERS) How much will you receive? 'The monthly maximum Federal amounts for 2025 are $967 for an eligible individual, $1,450 for an eligible individual with an eligible spouse, and $484 for an essential person,' reads the official SSA website. 'In general, monthly amounts for the next year are determined by increasing the unrounded annual amounts for the current year by the COLA effective for January of the next year. The new unrounded amounts are then each divided by 12, and the resulting amounts are rounded down to the next lower multiple of $1.' Also receive supplemental security income (SSI) The usual date for beneficiaries who began receiving social security before 1997 or those who receive both social security and SSI benefits would have been August 3. However, due to it falling on a weekend, these payments will now be rolled out on August 1 itself. Since September 1 is Labor Day, payments for that month will be rolled on August 29. This change is in line with the SSA's policy of distributing checks early in case the payment date falls on a weekend or federal holiday and is undertaken to keep beneficiaries' accounts in balance. Hence, this is not a double payment but simply a prepayment. Regular payment schedule For those who only receive social security benefits, payments are rolled out depending on the beneficiary's birthdate. This process is undertaken over the last three Wednesdays of the month. • For those born from the 1st to 10 of any month, payments are given on the second Wednesday, i.e., August 14 • For those born from the 11th to 20th of any month, payments are given on the third Wednesday, i.e., August 21 • For those born from the 21st to 31st of any month, payments are given on the fourth Wednesday, i.e., August 28 Eligibility criteria You are eligible to receive this paper check if you • Are an SSI beneficiary • Have updated your bank information • Haven't had a recent change in status Direct deposits usually take less time than mailed checks to arrive and are distributed depending on the receiver's preferred mode of payment. The SSA usually advises beneficiaries to wait for three days in case they haven't received their check before raising a complaint. – By Stuti Gupta
