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Social Security Act

I. Introduction to the Social Security Act

A statute is controlling legal authority unless unconstitutional.  (There are circumstances in which statutory provisions conflict.)  The Social Security Act is the general names for public laws relating to many federal programs, including the Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits program (part of Title II of the Social Security Act), the Supplemental Security Income program (Title XVI of the Social Security Act), the Medicare program (Title XVIII of the Social Security Act), and the Medicare program (Title XIX of the Social Security Act).  Thus the Social Security Act governs much more than simply "Social Security" benefits.

II. The Social Security Act on the Internet

A. Government

Thomas: Legislative Information on the Internet

The Social Security Act (Act) is at SSA Online at http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/ssact/comp-ssa.htm. This is probably the best place to read the Act. Even though SSA Online has a search feature, http://www.ssa.gov/search/index.htm, SSA Online is not the best place to search the Act. To search the Act, commercial electronic (primarily CD-ROM) products are superior.

B. Commercial

CCH, Social Security Reported (yearly subscription Internet access)

Lexis (via Internet)

Westlaw (via Internet)

III. Non-Internet Electronic Versions of the Social Security Act

A. Electronic Sources

CBC, Social Security Excellence (quarterly subscription CD-ROM)

CCH, Social Security Reporter (monthly subscription CD-ROM)

Lexis (dial-up)

Social Security Administration, SSA Publications on CD-ROM

West, Social Security Library on CD-ROM.

Westlaw (dial-up)

B. Printed Sources

   1. Compilation of Social Security Laws

The old bi-annual printed, two-volumes of the Social Security Act have no utility.  For an unknown reason, GPO Bookstores still sell these volumes years after their obsolescence.  In this respect, GPO Bookstores have the appearance of a yard sale.

2. Federal Social Security Laws: Selected Statutes and Regulations

West, Federal Social Security Laws: Selected Statutes and Regulations (1999 ed.) $49.25; West; softcover; one volume; 1157 pages.

3. United States Code Annotated

IV. Amending the Social Security Act

See Policy Making.

Last Updated August 28, 1999

Eric Schnaufer, Attorney at Law, Eric Schnaufer's e-mail address
©2000-2008 Eric Schnaufer