How to Get Help from Social Security
Date: December 28, 2021
Dear Colleague,
We want people to know how to get help from us when they need it. This is especially important during the current pandemic, when in-person service is by appointment only for limited, critical issues.
We created a flyer that explains how to get help. It stresses that the best way for most people to get help is online, at SSA.gov. If your clients cannot use our website, they can call our National 800 Number or a local Social Security office. If our representatives are unable to handle the matter during that call, they will schedule an appointment to serve your client by phone or in-person.
The flyer also includes information your client should know before coming to the office:
- Your client must have an appointment to visit an office.
- Masks are required for all office visitors and employees, regardless of vaccination status.
- Visitor capacity is limited to follow physical distancing requirements. This means your client may need to wait outside, so they should plan for cold or bad weather.
- We ask that your client comes alone unless they require help with their visit. If they require help, we can only permit one person to accompany them.
Please share this flyer with your clients through your online channels and consider printing and displaying this where you help them.
I encourage you to share this information with your members, colleagues, affiliates, and other interested parties.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Buckner
Associate Commissioner
Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
@SSAOutreach
Reminder: Medicare Open Enrollment Ends December 7 - Time to Review Coverage
Date: November 23, 2021
Dear Colleague,
The Medicare Open Enrollment deadline of December 7, 2021 is fast approaching. Please remind your clients to review their health and prescription drug coverage and compare it with other plans to ensure they have a plan that best meets their needs.
If your clients are satisfied with their current health care coverage and it will be available in 2022, they do not need to take any action.
Medicare Open Enrollment runs through December 7, 2021, and changes take effect January 1, 2022. For more information, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE.
Please share this information with your members, colleagues, affiliates, and other interested parties.
Jeffrey Buckner
Associate Commissioner
Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
@SSAOutreach
Guard Your Card - Protect What's Important to You and Your Clients
Date: November 17, 2021
Dear Colleague,
As part of our ongoing commitment to help the public protect their identity, I encourage you and your clients to safeguard your Social Security number and Social Security card. The best way to “Guard Your Card” is to keep it in a safe place and share it only when required. Do not carry the card every day. In fact, in most cases, just knowing the Social Security number should be enough. For example, when requesting a Real ID, all states, except for Pennsylvania, no longer require seeing your Social Security card.
Your clients should be careful about sharing their Social Security number when asked for it. It's important to always ask why the number is needed, how it will be used, and what will happen if it is not provided.
If your client needs to request a replacement Social Security card, they may be able to use their personal my Social Security account to request it on our website. If they live in one of 45 participating states or the District of Columbia, and they do not need any changes to the replacement card, they can request it free online.
Visit our Social Security Number and Card webpage to learn more about Social Security cards. Read and share our factsheet, How You Can Help Us Protect Your Social Security Number and Keep Your Information Safe, and infographic, Guard Your Card, with your clients, friends, and family.
Thank you for sharing this message with your clients to help protect them against Social Security number misuse and identify theft.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Buckner
Associate Commissioner
Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
@SSAOutreach
An Important Update to the Goldberg Kelly Payment Continuation Period
Date: November 10, 2021
Dear Colleague,
The COVID-19 pandemic has made it more difficult for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients to file a request for reconsideration within the time required to qualify to continue their benefits. The pandemic has also impacted the Social Security Administration's ability to receive and process these requests quickly. In recognition of these challenges, we are announcing a change to our procedures for requesting reconsideration following receipt of a Notice of Planned Action (NOPA), also known as a Goldberg Kelly (GK) notice. This change is effective November 1, 2021.
SSI recipients who file a reconsideration request more than 15 days after the date of a NOPA, but within 65 days of the date of the NOPA, will receive unreduced benefits unless they waive it in writing. For these cases, we will find that there is good cause for the late filing of the request for unreduced benefits.
You can find more information about our revised procedures at EM-21064.
I encourage you to share this information with your members, colleagues, affiliates, and other interested parties.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Buckner
Associate Commissioner
Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
@SSAOutreach
Veterans Day 2021
Date: November 10, 2021
Dear Colleague,
This Veterans Day the Social Security Administration (SSA) honors our veterans for their service and sacrifice. We take pride in celebrating the men and women who served our country—not just today but every day. We are here to support our veterans throughout the different stages of their lives and do so through a variety of programs.
While many veterans may already be familiar with our disability and retirement programs, SSA also provides employment guidance for disabled veteran beneficiaries looking to return to work. Every time a veteran changes jobs, the employer verifies the Social Security number with us. This helps reduce fraud and improves the accuracy of earnings records, ensuring working veterans get the benefits they have earned. We encourage veterans to keep track of this information on a regular basis by opening a free my Social Security account to verify earnings history and check Social Security retirement benefits. A secure my Social Security account also lets veterans estimate future benefits (for themselves or their spouse) or change an address to ensure no disruption in service.
To learn more about how SSA supports veterans, visit our dedicated webpage at www.ssa.gov/people/veterans.
I encourage you to share this information with your members, colleagues, affiliates, and other interested parties.
Sincerely,
Claudia Cuccia
National Veterans Outreach Lead
Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
@SSAOutreach
Online Forms for Appointed Representatives
Date: October 29, 2021
Dear Colleague,
We recently added online form SSA 1693 - Fee Agreement for Representation Before the Social Security Administration to our web site. This form notifies us that an individual has agreed to pay a fee to the person appointed to represent them in their case.
In March this year we released a note announcing that we updated our website with the SSA-1696 - Claimant's Appointment of Representative online form.
Both forms can be completed, signed, and submitted electronically by visiting www.ssa.gov/representation and selecting Begin e1693 or Begin e1696. These online forms are examples of our ongoing commitment to expanding our online services and making it easier for you and your clients to submit forms to us.
We appreciate all you do to support claimants and beneficiaries. If you have any questions, please send them to us at OEA.Net.Post@ssa.gov.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Buckner
Associate Commissioner
Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
@SSAOutreach
Message from The Social Security Administration—You Can Help People Who Face Barriers To Service
Date: October 28, 2021
Dear Colleague,
People who struggle with low-income, limited English proficiency, homelessness, mental illness, and other challenges have historically relied on getting help in person from Social Security.
During much of the pandemic, our offices have been open only for in-person appointments for limited, critical situations, depending upon local office conditions. These measures help protect the health and safety of our employees and the public they serve.
We have continued to offer many services on our website that are secure and easy to use. And our representatives have continued to help people by telephone on our National 800 Number and when calling a local office. Many underserved people face barriers to service when unable to access or use the internet or telephones to get the help they need. We understand this and are asking for your help.
If you know someone who cannot use Social Security's online services at www.ssa.gov, please encourage them to call their local office or the National 800 Number for assistance. If we cannot help them by phone, the local office can determine if an in-person appointment or other options may be available to help.
To serve those who need more help, we are partnering with community and faith-based groups on a national outreach campaign. The goal of the campaign is to increase public awareness of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefit programs and to support third-party groups that can help others apply for benefits. The SSI and SSDI programs provide critical financial assistance, and, in many cases, grant access to healthcare and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP.
Key components of our outreach campaign include:
- Working with community and faith-based groups: Your group can make all the difference in the lives of people in your community. You can assist with taking applications for SSI or refer people to Social Security. Interested in helping someone people submit a claim for SSI? Please contact the Social Security Regional Communications Director for your state to learn how
- Online tools and informational pages that your organization can use and refer to, including:
We collaborated with members of the claimant advocacy community on this campaign. Their voice is reflected throughout the campaign, ensuring support groups like yours have the resources needed to be successful and help those you care about.
In addition to the valuable resources above, we encourage you to also visit our Information for Groups and Organizations web page and related What's New web page for groups and organizations. Subscribe to get updates and stay informed.
I encourage you to visit and subscribe to Social Security's blog at blog.ssa.gov to receive alerts when we publish new articles from our partners and share the latest information about our national outreach campaign.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Buckner
Associate Commissioner
Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
@SSAOutreach
Social Security Disability and Veterans Affairs Disability — How Do They Compare?
Date: October 19, 2021
Dear Colleague,
The Social Security Administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have joined forces to create a Fact Sheet, “Social Security Disability and Veterans Affairs Disability — How Do They Compare?” This quick reference explains the differences between each agency's disability program. Through our partnership with the VA, we hope to help the veteran community navigate each agency's programs more easily.
I urge you to visit our veterans webpage at https://www.ssa.gov/people/veterans/ to view the Fact Sheet and other resources, including information on returning to work, links to VA healthcare and benefits programs, and disability benefits for wounded warriors. We also have resources for the parents and spouse of veterans.
Remember, there are important differences between Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and VA disability benefits. Just as important, a veteran who receives benefits from the VA could also be eligible for SSDI.
I encourage you to share this information with your members, colleagues, affiliates, and other interested parties.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Buckner
Associate Commissioner
Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
@SSAOutreach
Social Security: Information and Resources in Spanish
Date: October 15, 2021
Dear Colleague,
In commemoration of Hispanic Heritage Month, we want to highlight some of the information and resources available on our Spanish-language website-www.segurosocial.gov.
There your clients will learn how to get a Social Security card, plan for retirement, apply for benefits, manage their benefits, and much more.
Visit the webpages below for additional information:
- FAQ - find answers to common questions.
- Publications - in depth information about our programs.
- B.E.S.T. (Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool - available at ssabest.benefits.gov. It helps identify which Social Security benefits your client may be entitled to receive.
- Multilanguage Gateway - covers our free interpreter services policy and offers Social Security information in other languages.
Please share this information with your clients and encourage them to follow our Spanish-language Facebook and Twitter platforms for additional resources, tips, and information.
Sincerely,
Lydia E. Chévere
Social Insurance Specialist
Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
@SSAOutreach
Just Announced! Social Security's 2022 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)
Date: October 13, 2021
Dear Colleague,
Today, we announced that monthly Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income payments for approximately 70 million Americans will increase by 5.9% in 2022.
Visit our blog for details about the COLA and other important news.
I encourage you to share this information with your members, colleagues, affiliates, and other interested parties. Thank you for helping Social Security secure today and tomorrow!
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Buckner
Associate Commissioner
Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
@SSAOutreach
New Social Security Statement Makes Retirement Planning Easier
Date: October 6, 2021
Dear Colleague,
I'm pleased to let you know that we redesigned the Social Security Statement (Statement). The new Statement makes it much easier for people to find the information they need to plan their financial future. It is one of the most effective tools a person can use to learn about their earnings and future Social Security benefits.
Some of the highlights of the new Statement are:
- It's much shorter and easier to read.
- A bar chart displays the person's estimated retirement benefits for up to nine retirement start dates.
- Text boxes emphasize key facts people need for financial planning.
We also provide fact sheets, tailored to a person's age group and earnings situation, with the Statement. For example, we provide more information to younger workers about how to save for the future. For older workers, we explain how benefits may be taxed and how to avoid a Medicare penalty.
Visit our Statement page to see samples of the redesigned Statement and the fact sheets (in English and Spanish).
I encourage you to share this information with your members, colleagues, and affiliates, and encourage them to use, or sign up for, their personal my Social Security account to access their Statement.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Buckner
Associate Commissioner
Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
@SSAOutreach
Update - Additional Social Security Forms Available for Online Submission
Date: October 4, 2021
Dear Colleague,
We have great news to share! We have updated our website with more forms for claimants, beneficiaries, representative payees, and appointed representatives that can be completed and submitted online. The newest forms available that you can submit online are:
- SSA-552 - Dedicated Account Use of Funds Statement - Used to confirm to us your understanding of how to use and not use dedicated account funds.
- SSA HA-86 - Request to Withdraw an Appeals Council Request for Review - Used to submit a request to withdraw an Appeals Council request for review.
- SSA HA-4608 - Waiver of Your Right to Personal Appearance Before an Administrative Law Judge - Used to notify us that you do not want to appear at a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), and that you want the ALJ to decide your case on the evidence in the written record.
These online forms are the latest examples of our ongoing commitment to expanding our online services and making it easier for you and your clients to submit forms to us.
We appreciate all that you do to support claimants and beneficiaries. If you have any questions, please send them to us at OEA.Net.Post@ssa.gov.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Buckner
Associate Commissioner
Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
@SSAOutreach
