Social Security Update (Subscribe)

National Day of Mourning

Social Security offices, along with all federal agencies, will be closed on Thursday, January 9 for a National Day of Mourning to honor the memory of America's 39^th President, Jimmy Carter. Please visit our online services page to learn what you can do online or our contact Social Security by phone webpage to learn what services are available using our automated telephone services.

General Enrollment Period for Medicare Part B

If your clients did not apply for Medicare Part B (medical insurance) within 3 months before or after turning age 65, they have another chance during the General Enrollment Period. This period runs from January 1 to March 31 every year. Coverage begins the first day of the month after they sign up.

If your clients didn’t enroll in Part B when they were first eligible, they may have to pay a late enrollment penalty while they have Part B coverage. A 10% monthly premium increase will be applied for each 12-month period they were eligible for Part B but did not sign up for it.

Encourage your clients to visit our Medicare Benefits page at www.ssa.gov/benefits/medicare to learn more. They may also read our Medicare publication at www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10043.pdf.

Please share this information with your clients.

Protecting Your Clients’ Retirement Money

It’s a new year, and we have a great opportunity to educate your clients on how to avoid scams and fraud. It is particularly important for those planning their retirement to learn how to protect their retirement money against scams and fraud.

In our guest blog titled Protecting Your Retirement Money at blog.ssa.gov/protecting-your-retirement-money, the Securities and Exchange Commission provides online resources – along with tips and links to help your clients protect themselves.

Please share this information with your clients.

Make Sure Your Clients’ Disability Application Is Complete

Social Security takes care to handle your clients’ claim for benefits efficiently. When they submit their application for disability benefits, be sure your clients provide complete and accurate information. This will help to avoid any processing delays.

Here’s how to get your clients’ application off to a good start:

• If they’re an adult applying for disability benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or both, they can use the Adult Disability Starter Kit at www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-64-110.pdf to get ready to complete their online disability application. The kit also helps them prepare for their phone or in-person interview.
• If they’re applying for SSI on behalf of a child, our Child Disability Starter Kit at www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-64-112.pdf has fact sheets and worksheets to help your clients gather the information they will need for the SSI interview. It also explains how to complete the Child Disability Report available at secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/i3820/main.html.
• If they have an appointed representative, be sure they submit a signed Form SSA-1696 (Appointment of Representative) available at www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-1696.pdf.

Also, remind your clients that they will need to sign Form SSA-827, Consent for Release of Information at www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/ssa827_informationpage.htm. We use this form to obtain medical and other evidence to make our disability decision. We cannot process the application without a signed SSA-827. Most applicants can electronically sign the SSA-827 as part of the online application. Other applicants can use the attestation (confirmation) process or submit a paper SSA-827.

Your clients can visit our Apply for Social Security Benefits webpage at www.ssa.gov/apply to get started. Please share this information with them.

This New Year Learn About Social Security Online

Social Security programs touch the lives of millions of people. We work hard to ensure your clients have access to critical benefits and services. Consider the start of the new year as an opportunity for your clients to engage with us online. This begins with creating a free and secure my Social Security account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount.

Using a personal my Social Security account online your clients can:

• Apply for retirement, spouse, or disability benefits.
• Request a replacement Social Security card.
• Check their application or appeal status.
• Request a name change (in some cases they may have to make an appointment to visit their local office).

If your clients receive benefits, they can:

• Change their address. (Social Security benefits only)
• Change their direct deposit information. (Social Security benefits only)
• Get instant proof of benefits.
• Print their SSA-1099.

If your clients do not receive benefits, they can:

• Get personalized retirement, spouse, or disability benefit estimates.
• Get their Social Security Statement.
• Get instant proof that they do not receive benefits.

Your clients can use these services on the go or from the comfort of their home. Please visit www.ssa.gov/myaccount to view the services available to them.

If they cannot use our online services, they may be able to use our automated phone services by calling 1-800-772-1213. Automated services are always available.

Have a happy new year ahead and know that we are here to serve your clients.

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