Ryan, Podein, Postema & Westgate P.C.

02/03/2026

ALERT: Social Security is Making Wage Reporting Easier

Social Security has introduced a new way to make your monthly wage reporting easier. The new Payroll Information Exchange (PIE) allows SSA to receive your wages directly from your employer’s payroll data provider, so you do not need to send wage reports each month if your employer participates.

This process is designed to save you time and make things easier for you. To enroll in PIE, you will need to create your personal my Social Security account and follow the steps below.

Sign in to your personal my Social Security account.
Accept the Privacy Act Statement and review your identity information.
Complete the required form online.
Sign and submit the form electronically.

Sign-In-To-Your-Account

12/22/2025

Wishing you a joyful and peaceful Christmas season.

Please note that our office will be closed on December 24th and 25th and will reopen on December 26th. We look forward to assisting you when we return.

Warmest wishes for a happy holiday!

12/02/2025

Office Closure Notice:
Our office will be closing on Wednesday (12/3) at 11:30 AM and will reopen Thursday morning at 8:00 AM.

Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to assisting you when we return.

11/27/2025

As we reflect on this season of gratitude, we want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to all of our friends and clients. Thank you for placing your trust in us during some of the most challenging moments of your lives. It is an honor to stand beside you, advocate for you, and help you navigate workers’ compensation, disability, and auto accident matters with care and commitment.

Your strength, resilience, and partnership inspire us every day. We are truly grateful for the opportunity to serve you and for the relationships we’ve built throughout the year.

Wishing you and your loved ones a safe, warm, and meaningful Thanksgiving filled with comfort, peace, and many reasons to be thankful.

11/22/2025

WE WILL BE CLOSED IN OBSERVANCE OF THANKSGIVING ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27 & 28. WE WILL REOPEN ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 1ST. Have a great holiday!

11/01/2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AG Nessel Announces Victory on SNAP Case
After Lawsuit Brought by Coalition of 23 Attorneys General, and 3 Governors, Court orders USDA to fund SNAP

LANSING – After joining a multi-state lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has announced that Judge Indira Talwani from the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts has ruled that the USDA must use $5.25 billion in contingency funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) Program.

According to the USDA’s response to the Court, the $5.25 billion in contingency funds will not cover full November SNAP benefits nationwide. Accordingly, the Judge also ordered USDA to advise by Monday if it would transfer Section 32 funding to ensure full SNAP benefits are available for November.

“Providing food assistance to residents in need is not just a moral issue, it’s also a legal one,” said Attorney General Nessel. “I am grateful that the Court has agreed that the USDA is obligated to spend available funding to support food assistance and prevent Americans from going hungry.”

Earlier this month, the USDA notified the states that SNAP benefits would not be paid out effective November 1st, leaving 42 million Americans without food assistance. In the State of Michigan, 1.4 million residents benefit from the SNAP Program, including approximately 492,225 children and 38,513 veterans.

“The USDA pause on SNAP funding followed rising inflation, higher grocery bills, and soon an increase in healthcare premiums," said Attorney General Nessel. "It’s also following record cuts to our food banks, who work day and night to ensure no one in our communities goes hungry – and who will be in more demand than ever come Saturday. I am especially grateful for the over 800 food pantries across Michigan who are stepping up to help provide for our residents in such an immense time of need.”

Throughout the week, the Attorney General visited LMTS Community Outreach Services in Lansing, the Community Food Club in Grand Rapids, the Capuchin Services Center in Detroit and the Martus-Luna Food Pantry in Flint to speak with residents, community leaders and food pantry providers about the funding pause and its impact on each community.

10/26/2025

Social Security Announces 2.8 Percent Benefit Increase for 2026
Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for 75 million Americans will increase 2.8 percent in 2026. On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by about $56 per month starting in January....

Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for 75 million Americans will increase 2.8 percent in 2026. On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by…

09/09/2025

IMPORTANT: Take Action to Avoid Payment Delays

Starting September 30, 2025, all Social Security Administration beneficiaries will receive their payments electronically. These payments reach you faster and are safer than a paper check.

You must switch to electronic payments to receive your benefits on time. If you have already signed up, you do not need to do anything else.

Register for a my Social Security account then add your bank account information to receive your payment as a direct deposit.
If you do not have a bank account, you can sign up for Direct Express to have your payment deposited on a debit card.
If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, please call 1-800-772-1213 for support.

https://secure.ssa.gov/RIL/SiView.action

You will need:

• Your Social Security number
• Information from your most recent federal benefit check or claim number
• Routing transit number and account number from your financial institution (Direct Deposit only)
• Date of birth (Direct Express Debit Card only)
• Act by September 30 to get your payments on time.

08/28/2025

We will be closed on Monday, September 1st in observance of Labor Day. We will reopen on Tuesday, September 2nd. Have a Great Holiday!

08/07/2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 6, 2025

Fillable Power of Attorney Forms Now Available on Department of Attorney General’s Website

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced today that free, fillable Power of Attorney forms are now available for download on the Elder Abuse Task Force’s webpage. These user-friendly forms were prepared by the Kimble Center for Legal Drafting at Cooley Law School. The forms make it easier for Michigan residents and their family members to appoint a trusted individual to make important financial and medical decisions on their behalf if they become unable to do so.

“These forms will help people exercise their rights and protect themselves and their family members from potential abuse or exploitation,” Nessel said. “We are grateful to the Kimble Center for Legal Drafting for making them accessible to the public.”

In 2024, the Elder Abuse Task Force successfully advocated for legislation that updated Michigan’s Power of Attorney statute under the Uniform Power of Attorney Act. Attorney General Nessel recently released a public service announcement explaining the new law. While the law includes a statutory form, it is not downloadable or fillable. The forms provided by the Kimble Center for Legal Drafting are fully compliant with the new statute.

The newly available forms include:

Finances Power of Attorney (PDF): This form lets users decide who makes financial decisions for them if they can’t make them for themselves.
Medical Power of Attorney (PDF): This form lets users decide who makes health-care decisions for them if they can’t make them for themselves.
Michigan’s Power of Attorney statute is one of the major accomplishments of the Elder Abuse Task Force. Michigan's Elder Abuse Task Force launched in 2019 and consists of more than 55 different organizations in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors – all working together to combat elder abuse. The more than 100 individuals on the Task Force are divided into seven committees working diligently to accomplish nine initiatives (PDF), including requiring certification and training for professional guardians.

Another achievement includes the adoption of a Vulnerable Adult Incident Report form for investigations by law enforcement across the state, including the implementation of related trainings. The Task Force has trained hundreds of police officers, prosecutors and Adult Protective Services workers. The training videos have been viewed thousands of times. In addition to the vulnerable adult incident report and associated trainings, the Financial Exploitation Prevention Act was passed that ensures mandated reporting for financial institutions on suspected fraud or exploitation. Financial advisors and securities brokers were also added as mandatory reporters in a separate law.

More than 100,000 older adults in Michigan are victims of elder abuse. They experience abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Michigan residents seeking elder abuse resources are encouraged to call 800-24-ABUSE (22873), or 855-444-3911 to report suspected elder abuse.

The forms are now available on the Elder Abuse Task Force webpage.

07/03/2025

We will closed on Friday (7/4) in observance of our 250th Independence Day. We will be open again on Monday the 7th.

04/15/2025

Social Security Administration Implements New Anti-Fraud Measures to Enhance Telephone Claim Processing

The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently announced the implementation of enhanced fraud prevention tools for claims filed over the telephone, further modernizing the agency’s services and strengthening program integrity. Beginning April 14, 2025, SSA will allow individuals to complete all claim types via telephone, supported by new anti-fraud capabilities designed to protect beneficiaries and streamline […]

The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently announced the implementation of enhanced fraud prevention tools for claims filed over the telephone, further modernizing the agency’s services and…