Balin Law

03/06/2026

It's National Consumer Protection Week and SSA's Commissioner had this tip to share: ⚠️Social Security will not call you!⚠️📵
If you get a call "from Social Security" asking for your Social Security number, HANG UP! ☎️ It is a SCAM!
The new rule of thumb: if you have any suspicion it could be a scam, IT'S PROBABLY A SCAM! 🛑
If a caller asks for ANYTHING like your DOB, SSN, to provide payment or to "verify" your payment method, hang up. If it seemed potentially real, go look up the 800-number of wherever they claimed to be (bank, SSA, Amazon) and YOU call THEM to see if there's really a problem.

12/24/2025

We hope you're having a joyful holiday season! ❄️
Please note, our offices will be closed 12/25 and 12/26. We will be open normal hours next week but will be closed on New Year’s Day.
Thank you for your support and understanding. Stay safe and Happy Holidays to you and yours!

10/02/2025

🇺🇸⚠️ October 2025 Government Shutdown Update:
If you're receiving SSDI or SSI, benefit payments will continue without interruption. ✅
Applications, appeals and hearings are still moving forward. ✅

Some administrative services are paused (like correcting earnings records or processing overpayments), but the core disability process is still running.

We put together a short blog with the key details you need to know ➡️ https://balinlaw.com/blog/government-shutdown-2025-social-security-disability/

03/13/2025

“The layoffs — and the looming specter of potentially thousands more employees taking a buyout by a Friday deadline — have meant even less attention to the complicated casework of low-income elderly people and people with physical and intellectual disabilities.”

In a recording obtained by ProPublica, acting Social Security Commissioner Leland Dudek portrayed his agency as facing peril, while also encouraging patience with “the DOGE kids.”

03/07/2025

Getting in touch with Social Security has become more difficult of late. As of this post, the voicemail recording on SSA’s main number informs callers that their estimated wait time is greater than 120 minutes during regular business hours! 😮

The voicemail recording also lets people know that the estimated time to process an initial application for benefits has increased due to staff cuts: “If you are calling about a disability application, due to staffing reductions our average processing time… is 200 to 230 days.”😡

We encourage you to contact your elected officials and tell them to keep Elon Musk and DOGE away from Social Security.

You can find out who your congressperson is here:

Not sure of your congressional district or who your member is? This service will assist you by matching your ZIP code to your congressional district, with links to your member's website and contact page. Please review the frequently asked questions if you have problems using this service. Enter your...

02/27/2025

Regional SSA Commissioners are resigning en masse. Expect longer wait times for case processing, more errors, and fewer people to assist Americans at their local SSA offices.

At least five of the eight regional heads have decided to leave as the mid-level worker-turned-acting commissioner is said to mull workforce reduction.

02/26/2025

Staffing at the Social Security Administration is already at a 50 year low and the agency is “mired in a customer service crisis.” Sources report that “the plan is to fire 50 percent of the workers in little buckets so nobody knows what they’re doing.”

Sources tell the Prospect that a meeting called for a 50 percent reduction in an agency that millions rely on for benefit implementation.

01/01/2025

As we reflect on 2024, we’re filled with gratitude for the progress made toward fairness and compassion, especially in how Social Security is addressing the needs of our most vulnerable. Changes like easing overpayment recovery and removing barriers to SSI benefits remind us that dignity and empathy can guide policy and truly make a difference.

Here’s to a 2025 filled with continued hope, kindness, and steps toward a better, more equitable future for all.

Happy New Year to you all!

12/02/2024

Apologies if you are having difficulty reaching us this morning. Our HQ is located in Lake County where we received a bit of snow this weekend! Folks are getting into the office as they are able.

The Lake County Commissioners declared a State of Emergency in the response to the winter storm affecting the area.

11/03/2024

⏰ Don't forget, it's that time of year again! ends tonight. 🍂
Set your clocks back one hour and savor that extra hour of sleep. 💤
Remember, it's also a great opportunity to check and replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms. Stay safe and enjoy that extra coziness! 🕰️

08/10/2024

💡👍 UPDATE: Power has been restored to our Mentor Headquarters and we will return to business as usual Monday, August 12th at 8am. We will undoubtedly have some catching-up to do, so we appreciate your continued patience if our responses are delayed.
🎖We also want to give a shout-out to all the first responders, good citizens, and the line workers who worked so hard to clean up the storm damage, to restore power and restore our beautiful community. We are forever indebted and grateful!
👏👮‍♀️👷👩‍🚒 🟰 🦸

Power Outage at Balin Law Headquarters
Our Mentor office lost power Tuesday night when an intense storm hit Cleveland's suburbs with damaging winds (even a few tornados), taking down hundreds of utility poles and power lines. While we hope we’ll have power restored by Monday, it’s estimated that many will be without power until Wednesday, 8/14.
Please note that we may not receive voicemails until we’re back in the office. We encourage you to use our website’s contact form or our Live Chat on BalinLaw.com. While our response times will still be delayed, your message may be received sooner than through voicemail.
We will post further updates as soon as we have them.
We appreciate your patience and understanding in the meantime!
Additional information is available on our website at: https://balinlaw.com/blog/mentor-headquarters-lost-power/

Our Mentor Office is temporarily closed due to the regional power outage caused by the widespread damage of Tuesday night’s storm.

05/27/2024

Remembering all those who have lost their lives while serving, and after serving, this great nation. Uniting behind our veterans, service members, and their families, is a part of what makes this nation great. 🇺🇸
The VA Crisis Line is available 24/7 for veterans, their family members, and anyone who's helping a veteran in crisis. ❤️🤍💙 https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

“Behind the Scenes” provides a look into one of the three Veterans Crisis Line call centers, where qualified, caring responders answer the calls of Veterans,...