Reposted and shared directly from Social Security Website: https://www.ssa.gov/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2b0bM-2-mR8hOp2YR8kGQmCs4AhA0JrJ6UI8rXc5MRR9erj2K7TYkNCpE
Will I continue to receive my Social Security benefit or Supplemental Security Income payment if I use Direct Deposit?
Date: March 16, 2020
Yes. You will continue to receive your monthly benefit amount if you use Direct Deposit.
Will I still receive my Social Security benefit or Supplemental Security Income payment by mail?
Date: March 16, 2020
Yes. Please visit the United States Postal Service for their latest statements about COVID-19. You can visit our website to learn how to sign up for Direct Deposit.
How do I get my COVID-19 economic impact payment?
Date: April 7, 2020
The Department of the Treasury (Treasury) announced on April 1 that Social Security retirement, disability, and survivors beneficiaries who are not typically required to file tax returns will not need to file an abbreviated tax return to receive an economic impact payment. The IRS will use SSA-1099 information they already have to automatically generate $1,200 economic impact payments to eligible Social Security beneficiaries who did not file tax returns in 2018 or 2019.
Treasury, not Social Security, will make automatic payments to Social Security beneficiaries. Beneficiaries will receive these payments by direct deposit or by paper check, just as they would normally receive their Social Security benefits.
For updates from the IRS, visit Coronavirus Tax Relief.
Note for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Recipients:
SSI recipients are eligible to receive the economic impact payment. We are working closely with Treasury to address outstanding questions about our SSI recipients in an attempt to make the issuance of economic impact payments as quick and efficient as possible. We realize people are concerned, and the IRS will provide additional information at Coronavirus Tax Relief when available. Please note that we will not consider economic impact payments as income for SSI recipients, and the payments are excluded from resources for 12 months.
How Do I File for Unemployment Insurance?
Date: March 26, 2020
We are unable to answer questions about unemployment insurance as each state administers its own program. Learn more here.
What scams should I know about?
Date: March 31, 2020
This question consolidates and replaces previous questions related to scams.
Unfortunately, there are scammers who will take advantage of the current situation and try to trick you out of your money and personal information. Don’t be fooled!
If you receive calls, emails, or other communications claiming to be from the U.S. Treasury Department, the Internal Revenue Service, the Social Security Administration, or another government agency offering COVID-19 related grants or economic impact payments in exchange for personal financial information, or an advance fee, or charge of any kind, including the purchase of gift cards, please do not respond. These are scams. Visit Treasury’s website if you suspect economic impact payment fraud. Report Social Security scams about COVID-19.
Below are some of the scams we know about, but there can be many variations:
The Inspector General of Social Security, Gail S. Ennis, is warning the public about fraudulent letters threatening suspension of Social Security benefits due to COVID-19-related office closures. We will not suspend or discontinue benefits because our offices are closed to the public for in-person service. Read this and other fraud advisories.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General is alerting the public about fraud schemes related to COVID-19. For example, scammers are offering COVID-19 tests to Medicare beneficiaries in exchange for personal details, including Medicare information. However, the services are unapproved and illegitimate. Learn about this and other COVID-19 fraud from HHS.
How can I get help from SSA?
Date: March 25, 2020
Social Security Offices are closed to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can still get our help by using our online services or calling us.
You can do most of your business with SSA online. Before calling us, please visit our website to see our list of convenient and secure self-service options. Save time and go online.
If you cannot use our online services, we can help with certain critical issues by phone and mail. Please see our question, “How will SSA help me by phone?”
Will SSA provide in-person services during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Date: March 18, 2020
No. Please do not come into one of our local offices. We cannot accept walk-in visitors at this time.
On Tuesday, March 17, 2020, we suspended face-to-face service to the public in our field offices and hearings offices nationwide until further notice. This decision protects the population we serve—older Americans and people with underlying medical conditions—and our employees during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
How can I find out if my Social Security office is open?
Date: March 20, 2020
All local Social Security offices will be closed to the public for in-person service starting Tuesday, March 17, 2020. This decision protects the population we serve—older Americans and people with underlying medical conditions—and our employees during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. However, we are still able to provide critical services.
If you need to contact your local office for a dire need situation, please look for the general inquiry telephone number at Social Security Office Locator under “Show Additional Office Information” for the office you select. Please visit our Office Closings and Emergencies page for the latest information about office closings.
What can I do online?
Date: March 25, 2020
You can conduct most business online with our secure and convenient online services. Our online services are available from anywhere and from any of your devices. You can:
- File a claim for retirement, disability, or Medicare benefits;
- Apply for Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drugs;
- Check your application status;
- File an appeal if you were recently denied disability benefits;
- Request a replacement Social Security card (in most areas);
- Print proof of your benefits;
- Explore all of the benefits you may be eligible for at Benefits.gov;
- Request a replacement Medicare card, although your healthcare provider can verify coverage if you know your Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) number;
- Print a SSA-1099;
- Change your address, if you receive benefits;
- Set up or change your direct deposit; and
- Much more.
We also have information to answer most of your Social Security questions online, without having to speak with a Social Security representative. Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions.
How will SSA help me by phone?
Date: April 3, 2020
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we are dedicating available staff to serve people in most critical need of our services. Please read below before deciding whether to contact your local Field Office inquiry line or our National 800 Number. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. It may take you up to 90 minutes or more to reach an agent, so we encourage you to try our online services before calling us.
If you have a question about economic impact payments under the recently enacted law, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, please read the question, “How do I get my COVID-19 economic impact payment?”
When to call the local Field Office:
Field office employees can help you with the following issues:
- Taking disability and survivor applications for the most severe disabilities, including:
- If you have a terminal illness;
- If you are a Wounded Warrior;
- If you may qualify for an immediate Supplemental Security Income payment based on certain severe disabilities; and
- If your disability qualifies for our Compassionate Allowance or Quick Disability Determination processes.
- Resolving payment-related issues:
- If you did not receive your monthly payment;
- If you are currently homeless or at risk of becoming homeless;
- If you received an overpayment letter and need to request a reduced repayment schedule or request a waiver; or
- If your benefits were suspended and can now be reinstated.
You can find your local field office inquiry line by accessing our Field Office Locator.
When to call the National 800 Number:
Our 800# agents can assist with limited transactions and are focused on helping those people most in need. During the pandemic, if your request can be processed online, our agents will redirect you to use our online services.
We also offer several automated telephone services that you can do without speaking with an 800# agent.
Our 800# agents can assist with the following limited transactions:
If you are not receiving benefits:
- Scheduling a telephone appointment to apply for disability and survivor benefits
- If you have a terminal illness;
- If you are a Wounded Warrior;
- If you may qualify for an immediate Supplemental Security Income payment based certain severe disabilities;
- If your disability qualifies for our Compassionate Allowance or Quick Disability Determination processes; and
- Other applications for benefits including retirement, survivors, Social Security disability, Medicare, and Supplemental Security Income claims.
If you are receiving benefits:
- Resolving payment-related issues including:
- Change of Address;
- Direct Deposit Change;
- Death Reports;
- Requests to reinstate benefits; and
- Reports of non-receipt of payment. (Note: If you are reporting a non-receipt of payment, we will investigate and send payments by mail, or we will schedule an appointment for you to visit the office for pickup.)
- Other critical actions such as taking Medicare and Medicaid applications necessary for health-care coverage.
- Handling Representative Payee and other changes that ensure you continue to receive benefits.
To the extent possible, we will complete all other applications for Retirement, Survivor, Disability, or Supplemental Security Income benefits. We encourage individuals applying for routine retirement and disability benefits to apply online.Important Note: If you already have a scheduled appointment, we will attempt to contact you by phone and/or reschedule for a telephone appointment. Our call may come from a PRIVATE number and not from a U.S. Government phone. We know that some scammers are trying to take advantage of this situation. Please remember that our employees will never threaten you or ask for any form of immediate payment.
How can I get a new or replacement Social Security number card?
Date: April 1, 2020
A Social Security number (SSN) is important because you need it to get a job, collect Social Security benefits, and get some other government services. However, please note that you may not need the physical SSN card for many of these services.
New Card Requests
We assign the vast majority of SSNs and issue SSN cards at birth. We will continue to process new card requests through our automated processes for newborns as part of the hospital registration process (we call that process Enumeration at Birth). We will also continue to process SSNs and issue cards for certain lawful immigrants [we call these processes Enumeration at Entry (EAE) and Enumeration beyond Entry (EBE)].
If these automated processes are not available to you, we may be able to offer an in-office appointment for a new card request based on available staff and office operating status. Please call your local office to see if an in-office appointment is necessary and possible. To contact your local office, please look for the general inquiry telephone number at Social Security Office Locator under “Show Additional Office Information” for the office you select.
Replacement Card Requests
You may be able to request a replacement card online with your personal my Social Security account. Visit our Social Security Number and Card page to learn how. We will also continue to process replacement card requests through our automated processes for EAE and EBE. If you cannot request a replacement card online or through EAE or EBE, call your local office and request that we mail you an SSN printout instead of a replacement Social Security card. We are unable to process replacement Social Security card requests by phone at this time.
Can I enroll in Medicare
Date: April 6, 2020
Enrolling online is the easiest way to apply for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) or for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug program costs, if you qualify.
If you are applying for Medicare Part A for the first time, our online application provides you the option to enroll in Medicare Part B (Supplemental Medical Insurance) or opt out of Part B coverage.
If you are already enrolled in Medicare Part A and you are interested in enrolling in Part B, you cannot use our online application. Please mail your completed application, CMS-40B, Application for Enrollment in Medicare – Part B (Medical Insurance) to your local Social Security field office. If you are applying for Medicare Part B due to a loss of employment or group health coverage, you will also need to complete form CMS-L564 (Request for Employment Information).
We are working with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to offer relief from certain requirements and timeframes for Medicare Part B.
To ensure we can timely process your request, please complete the CMS-L564 as follows:
- Complete Section A and Section B of the form; and
- Normally your employer would complete Section B, however CMS has waived this requirement during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Submit proof of employment, Group Health Plan (GHP), or Large Group Health Plan (LGHP).
Although our offices are closed to the public for in-person service, we are still processing requests received by mail. You can find the address to your local office using our Social Security Office Locator. You can also call your local office with questions. You can find the phone number for your local office under “Additional Office Information.”
How long does it take from the time SSA receives my forms until the time I have coverage?
It can take up to 21 days to process your application. If you are applying for Medicare Part B due to a recent loss in employment or group health coverage, your medical coverage is effective the month following the date we receive your request to enroll.
Will SSA extend our deadlines to provide documentation and other information?
Date: March 18, 2020
Yes. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are extending deadlines wherever possible.
- If we asked you to contact us by a certain date, please do not come to the office. You can contact us once our offices reopen to the public or you can mail your documents to us. We will follow up with you once the COVID-19 pandemic subsides.
- We are providing maximum flexibility in applying our good cause policy. This policy allows us to extend the time limits for submitting appeals and taking other actions during this pandemic.
Is Representative Payee monitoring continuing during the COVID-19 Pandemic?
Date: April 9, 2020
Yes. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the state Protection and Advocacy (P&A) networks will conduct any new representative payee monitoring reviews by phone or mail to comply with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s social distancing guidelines. The P&As are also completing pending reviews initiated before the COVID-19 pandemic.
What workloads is SSA not doing during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Date: March 18, 2020
We have suspended the following workloads until further notice:
- We will not start or complete any current medical continuing disability reviews. If you have a medical continuing disability review pending, please do not request medical information from your doctors at this time. We will follow up with you for any medical evidence once the COVID-19 pandemic subsides.
- Where possible, we are suspending our processing and collection of overpayments.
- We are not conducting organization or individual representative payee accountings.
- We will not be able to process a third party request for information, except from appointed representatives and representative payees.
- We will not process any Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
Hearings
If your offices are closed, will I still have my hearing?
Date: March 20, 2020
Yes. We will contact you prior to your scheduled hearing to offer you a hearing by phone.
COVID-19 Resources
For the latest information on the coronavirus pandemic, including symptoms, how to protect yourself, and travel advisories, visit these resources: