How Do I Apply For Medicare Benefits
If you are already receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits or railroad retirement checks, Social Security will contact you a few months before you become eligible for Medicare and give you the information you need to register. You should sign up for Medicare even if you dont plan to retire at age 65, or you may be penalized a 10% premium surcharge for each year past age 65 that you do not have Medicare. However, if you are age 65 or older and are covered under a group health plan either from your own employment or you are covered from your spouses employment, you may delay enrolling in Medicare medical insurance without having to wait for a general enrollment period or pay the 10% premium surcharge for late employment. The rules allow you to:
- Enroll in Part B any time you are covered under the group health plan, or
- Enroll in Part B during an eight-month special enrollment period that begins with the month your group health coverage ends or the month your employment ends, whichever comes first
I disagree with the SSAs decision on my claim. How can I appeal? Please visit www.ssa.gov/pubs/10041.html or call 1-800-772-1213 to file an appeal. All appeals should be sent to your local office to find your local office, please visit www.ssa.gov/locator.
Most Social Security Services Are Now Available Online But There Are A Few Things That Still Require An In
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There is probably a Social Security office within a short drive of where you live, but there aren’t many things you’ll need to go to the office for. Most of the Social Security Administration’s services are offered online, including the application for retirement benefits. However, there are a few things you may need to do that will require a trip to your local Social Security office.
How Can I Replace My Social Security Card
You can easily replace your Social Security card by requesting a replacement card online through a My Social Security account. As long as no other information is changing, the request can be made online. If you are performing a name change or other change, then you will need to complete the Form SS-5 application and submit it by mail or in-person. The quickest way to get your new card is by completing the request online. The card will be mailed to you within 10 to 14 days in most cases.
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How Do I Apply For Survivors Benefits
To apply for survivors benefits, please visit . A family member or other person responsible for the beneficiarys affairs should do the following:
- Promptly notify Social Security of the beneficiarys death by calling 1-800-772-1213
- If monthly benefits were being paid via direct deposit, notify the bank or other financial institution of the beneficiarys death. Request that any funds received after the death of the beneficiary be returned to Social Security as soon as possible.
- If benefits were being paid by check, DO NOT CASH any checks received for the month in which the beneficiary died or thereafter. Return the checks to Social Security as soon as possible.
A one-time payment of $255 is payable to the surviving spouse if he was living with the beneficiary at the time of death, OR if living apart, was eligible for Social Security benefits on the beneficiarys earnings record for the month of death. If there is no surviving spouse, the payment is made to a child who was eligible for benefits on the beneficiarys earnings record in the month of death. Monthly survivors benefits can be paid to certain family members, including the beneficiarys widow or widower, dependent children and dependent parents.
Where Are The Social Security Offices In California Located
California has a few Social Security offices located in various cities throughout the state. You will likely want to schedule your appointment at the one that is closest to your location. However, remember that appointments are limited, so it could take some time to get an appointment at a specific location. Driving to another city might allow you to get an appointment more quickly. The Social Security Administration has also announced that offices will be reopening in March 2022, so you will no longer need an appointment to visit your local office at that time.
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Social Security Disability Determination Services
- Social Security Disability Insurance
- Supplemental Security Income
- Call or visit any Social Security office to schedule an appointment. You can locate the SSA field office closest to you via this link,
- Contact SSA toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 .
Replacement Social Security Card
The Social Security Agency doesnt charge anything for issuing a card or a replacement card, but it does have certain rules that restrict who can apply online. For example, if you live in Alabama, Connecticut, Minnesota, or one of several other states, you cant yet use the online service for getting a replacement Social Security card, though residents of those states should check regularly to see if that capability has been added, since more states are added to the service all the time. In Delaware and Wisconsin, you can only use the online service if you have a drivers license. And in all places, you must be a citizen at least 18 years old with a U.S. mailing address.
If you are a U.S. citizen, and have not gotten a replacement Social Security card or name change recently, you may not be eligible to use the online replacement card application in my Social Security.
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Making Your Social Security Office Visit Pain
In order to ensure that visiting your Social Security Office is a smooth and pain-free experience, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
- Arriving early can help reduce the time you spend waiting in line. Try to arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointment.
- Even if you arrive early, you may be faced with wait times. Try to stay calm and remember that the office workers are doing their best!
- Coming prepared with the necessary documents is essential. In many cases you’ll need to bring a birth certificate, passport, proof of United States citizenship or legal US residency, and other documents. If you’re unsure as to what you’ll need, call your Social Security Office in Alabama in advance to double-check!
Social Security Services You Can’t Get Online
To be perfectly clear, you can still do all of the things on the list above in person if you choose to do so. Even though most commonly accessed Social Security services are offered online doesn’t mean that handling them that way the best option for you. Many people simply prefer to handle these things in person or over the phone — and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. For example, my 87-year-old grandmother isn’t going to log on to ssa.gov if she loses her Medicare card, no matter how much more convenient it may be.
And then there are the things you can’t yet do online. I mentioned that some people can apply for a replacement Social Security card online, but in fact, that option is not available for much of the population. Specifically, in order to get a replacement card online, you need to be over 18, not requesting a name change, and live in one of eight states or Washington, D.C. Everyone else still needs to fill out an application and present their original birth certificate or other identifying documents. You can do this in person at the Social Security office, or by mail, but I never recommend sending original identifying documents in the mail.
Survivor benefits are another thing you can only apply for in person, as the documentation requirements vary depending on your relationship to the deceased, and some of the lists of questions survivors have to answer can be lengthy.
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What Kind Of Documentation Do I Need To Bring
The documentation you need to bring varies depending on what type of business you need to conduct at your local office. However, there are a few things that you should always bring along to your appointment. First, you need to bring your Social Security card. You will also need to have a valid photo ID, like a driverâs license or passport. In some cases, you might need a marriage certificate or divorce decree if you need to apply for spousal benefits. You might also need a death certificate when applying for survivor benefits. These are the most common documents that you will need at the Social Security office.
Social Security And Medicare
The following information can help you with your Social Security or Medicare benefits. My office stands ready to assist you with any problems or questions you may have. You can send an email here or call my office in Boca Raton at 998-9045.My office can also help you with determining Social Security benefits, as well as Supplemental Security Income and Medicare eligibility.
- Do you want to know if you qualify for disability and SSI? Use Social Security’s Screening Tool to check if you do.
- Do you need information on how to apply for Medicare? Go to the Medicare Frequently Asked Questions page.
- Do you have other general questions about social security services and benefits? Find an answer on the Social Security Administration’s Frequently Asked Questions page.
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How Do I Apply For Social Security Benefits
The easiest way to apply for benefits is online through SSA.gov. You can create a My Social Security account there and use it to apply for benefits. This will allow you to apply for retirement benefits or disability benefits on your own work record. Similarly, you can also apply for Medicare and spousal benefits online. If you cannot apply online, then you can complete an application over the phone or make an appointment at your local Social Security office. The easiest and fastest way to apply will be the online application.
Apply For Social Security Benefits
Applying for Social Security benefits online can take as little as 15 minutes. You start by creating or signing in to your my Social Security account, then click on Apply. Youll go through a series of screens that will ask you questions about yourself, your family, and your work. If you get stuck on a question, you can skip it and go back later. If you cant complete your application for any reason, you can Return to a Saved Application later without losing the information you entered.
You may not be able to use periods, commas, and other special characters when you answer some of the questions. For example, you cant use periods in your address. The system will walk you through the process and tell you to go back if somethings missing.
Depending on what youre applying forsuch as a replacement Social Security card or Retirement Benefitsyou may need to have on hand your:
- Social Security number
- Birth certificate or proof of citizenship
- A copy of W-2 forms and/or self-employment tax return for the previous year
In many cases your local Social Security office can contact your state Bureau of Vital Statistics and verify your information online at no cost to you. If they cant verify your information online, they can still help you get information.
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How Can I Find Out If My Social Security Office Is Open
Date: April 7, 2022
Local Social Security offices are offering more in-person appointments and have resumed in-person service for people without an appointment. As we expand in-person service, we strongly encourage you to continue to go online, call us for help, and schedule appointments in advance.
- How to get help from Social Security, including online and the best times to call.
- What you should know before you visit a Social Security office, so we can help you safely.
- Options that could help you have your hearing sooner if you are appealing a decision.
- The small number of offices that temporarily:
- may provide service only by appointment due to construction, inability to permit people to wait outside the office, or other reasons.
- may be closed to the public.
Someone Filed An Unemployment Claim Using My Information And It Wasnt Me What Can I Do
Date: January 6, 2021
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network has identified multiple fraud schemes in which filers submit applications for unemployment insurance benefits using other peoples information. Receiving unemployment benefits could affect the amount of monthly benefits you receive. If you believe you are a victim of this fraud scheme:
- Contact your appropriate State fraud UI hotline to report the fraud. The Department of Labor has phone numbers for each state fraud hotline.
- When you report the fraud, request that they provide you with written documentation that you have reported the alleged fraud. At a minimum, request a case number for your fraud report, and write down the case number, the name of the person you spoke to, and the time and date of your call.
- Retain this information, along with any written confirmations, to ensure you can provide evidence that you reported the fraud if you need it later.
- If you receive Supplemental Security Income benefits, and you suspect UI fraud, contact your local Social Security Office immediately.
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How Do I Make An Appointment At A Social Security Office In California
To make an appointment at a Social Security office in California, you will need to call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 between the hours of 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM Monday through Friday. Remember that you do not need an appointment to apply for benefits or appeal a disability decision. These tasks can be completed online. You can also contact Social Security at the same number if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment.
Social Security Numbers And Drivers Licenses
Many states require that you or your dependent have an SSN or have already applied for one before you apply for a driver’s license. In these states, if you or your dependents are not eligible to work but want to apply for a driver’s license, you must first apply for an SSN at the local SSA office and receive a Form SSA-L676, “Refusal to Process SSN Application.” To learn more, visit our Driving in the States page and talk with your DSO.
Student Resources Navigation
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Still A Good Idea To Make An Appointment For In
Social Security field offices, closed since March 17, 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, reopened Thursday, April 7.
During the pandemic, in-person appointments at Social Security field offices were limited to critical situations, such as for people who were without food, medicine or shelter. While most offices can help you without an appointment, a few offices are closed or open by appointment only. Find out which offices are closed or open by appointment only, by visiting ssa.gov/emergency. SSA encourages you to make an appointment as this will help them plan for you.
You can do many things online at ssa.gov, such as apply for benefits. Also, with a personal my Social Security account, you can get an instant benefit verification letter or check the status of your application most people can request a replacement Social Security card.
You Need A Replacement Card And You Live In One Of 16 States
If you lose your original Social Security card, you’re allowed up to three free replacements a year and 10 over your lifetime. But not everyone can apply for a replacement card online. To apply online for a replacement card, you have to be 18 or older and you can’t be requesting a name change . Also, you need to provide a driver’s license number from a participating state.
You cannot currently apply online for a replacement Social Security card if your driver’s license was issued in one of the following states:
In those states, you’ll have to make an appointment with your local Social Security office to get a replacement card.
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I Received A Letter From Social Security That Says My Supplemental Security Income Payment Will Change Unless I File An Appeal How Can I File This Appeal
Date:
You can file an appeal by taking one of the following actions.
Online at SSA.gov
The quickest and easiest way to file an appeal is online at our Appeal a Decision page. Select Reconsideration and then the Request Non-Medical Reconsideration button. Follow the instructions on the screens to complete and submit the appeal electronically.
Send Us a Form by Mail or Fax
You may also download, complete, and print the form Request for Reconsideration and then mail the completed form to your local Social Security office. You can find the local office fax number and address from the Social Security Office Locator page by entering your ZIP code.
If you still have questions about filing an appeal on online, by mail, or fax, please call us at 1-800-772-1213 or call your local office. You can find the telephone number for your local office in the letter we sent you or by going to the Social Security Office Locator page and entering your zip code. We can answer your questions and send you the appropriate appeal request form to complete and send back to us.
How Does The Coronavirus Pandemic Impact Social Security Offices
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on local Social Security offices in California. These offices have been closed to the public for walk-ins for nearly two years, but the Social Security Administration recently announced the reopening of local field offices. The local offices in California are expected to reopen to the public in March 2022. More than 1,200 local offices across the country are expected to reopen at that time. During the pandemic closure, office visits were only available by appointment to the most crucial cases. Walk-ins should soon be allowed back in these offices as they reopen however, masks will be required for both employees and visitors as part of continued COVID-19 safety protocols.
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