Equal Access To Justice
Every day, people across Illinois are denied the basic rights to which they are entitled under the law simply because they cant afford a lawyer. Its our mission to change that.
Prairie State Legal Services provides free legal help to people who need it most and can afford it least.
The availability of civil legal aid can make all the difference to our neighbors who are fighting to stay in their homes, escape domestic violence, secure benefits for veterans or people with disabilities, or address many other legal challenges that go to the heart of their security and well-being.
Approximately 690,000 people in our service area live in poverty. They have families, hopes and dreams. They are your neighbors. They live in the communities you call home. Our communities are a better place for all of us when help is available when its needed.
How To Set Up Direct Deposit For My Benefits
To set up a Direct deposit you can log into your my Social Security account and enroll from your account.
Follow the steps below to set up Direct Deposit through your my Social Security account:
Using Direct Deposit protects your payments and saves time. To learn what direct deposit involves, the security features it offers, and all methods of applying for Direct Deposit read How To Get Direct Deposit Set Up For My Social Security Benefits.
Process For Replacing A Social Security Card In Downtown Joliet Il
If youâve lost your social security card, had it stolen, or damaged your card, it is very important that you get a replacement social security card in Downtown Joliet IL as quickly as possible. A social security card is required for getting a job, applying for loans, and receiving government services like retirement benefits or disability benefits. Also, if someone else was to obtain your social security number, you could fall victim to a social security scam like identity theft. Below are the steps for replacing a social security card in Downtown Joliet IL.
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Be Polite And Patient
Keep in mind that the Claims Representative you speak to talks with a lot of people each day, and some of them are frustrated and difficult. Your patience and kindness will go a long way to helping you get the service you deserve and getting all your questions answered.
While you are being polite, also be persistent. Its okay to ask a question more than once if you dont understand the answer.
Social Security Office Holidays
The Social Security Office in Joliet observes all federal holidays and will be closed during that time. Here’s a list of all holidays that the office will be closed:New Year’s Day, MLK Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
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Joliet Social Security Office Driving Directions
Eff Monday 062711. Office Is Located Near The Galowich Ymca. Office Is On Houbolt Between Forest View And Mcdonough Streets. From The South, We Are 1 Mile North Of I-80 Interchange At Houbolt. From The North, The Office Is 1/2 Mi. South Of Jefferson . From The West And I-55, Exit Us 52 And Go East To Houbolt, Make A Right. Pace Bus Route 501
How Do I Change The Name On My Social Security Card
There are a couple of ways you can perform a Social Security card name change. The easiest is by making the request online through your My Social Security account. Depending on the state you live in, you might be unable to complete the request online. If you cannot, then you will need to mail in the application for name change with the required documentation or visit your local Social Security office.
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Prepare For Your Ssa Appointment
When preparing for your Social Security phone appointment you need to prepare a few things.
This list should be a good start:
Once you have everything together, sit back and wait for the phone to ring.
How To Check My Earning Records With The Ssa
You can get your earning records from the SSA online or by mail. It is recommended that you view your earning records before applying for benefits. That way you can confirm your benefits will be calculated correctly.
To find your earning records follow these steps:
To read more about the documents you can use to verify your earning records, read my article How To Check My Earning Records And Adjust Them If Necessary provides step-by-step directions for accessing and adjusting your earning records.
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What Documents Do I Need To Apply For Social Security
Documents the Social Security Administration may ask for include:
Show Up With Your Documents
When you call for the appointment, be sure to ask the Claims Specialist which forms you should bring, and take notes. It may require some time to locate your documents, but if you cannot find all of them, bring what you have.
If you forget a document or cant find it, you may need to make another trip so its worth checking the notes you took while speaking with the Claims Specialist.
You should always bring your Social Security Card and a copy of any personal identifying information . If you have a US passport or US birth certificate, take them with you.
If you are not a US citizen or are naturalized, bring all documentation relating to your temporary or permanent resident status to your appointment.
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What Are The Opening Hours Of The Offices
Under normal conditions, the hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and closed on weekends.
Please note that hours may vary on local or national holidays such as Thanksgiving, Juneteenth: Sunday, June 19 , Memorial Day: Monday, May 30, Veterans Day: Friday, November 11, Good Friday: Friday, April 15, Easter: Sunday, April 17.
Process For Replacing A Social Security Card In Joliet Il
If youâve lost your social security card, had it stolen, or damaged your card, it is very important that you get a replacement social security card in Joliet IL as quickly as possible. A social security card is required for getting a job, applying for loans, and receiving government services like retirement benefits or disability benefits. Also, if someone else was to obtain your social security number, you could fall victim to a social security scam like identity theft. Below are the steps for replacing a social security card in Joliet IL.
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Can I Schedule An Appointment With The Joliet Social Security Office
The Social Security Administration does not currently have online appointment scheduler.
The SSA website, SSA.gov, is the best way for most people to get help.
If you cannot use the website, or need more help, you can contact your local office phone number or national 800 number for help scheduling an appointment.
When visiting a local field office, appointment is not required. However, if you contact the office and schedule, it may reduce the time you spend waiting for help.
Can I Apply For Medicare Benefits At This Joliet Office
If you decide to enroll in Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period, you can sign up for Parts A and/or B by: Visiting your local Social Security office. Calling Social Security at 800-772-1213. Before you decide how you want to go about applying for Medicare, you need to understand the different parts of the program and which ones you need. Learn More About Applying for Medicare.
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How Do I Protect Myself From Social Security Scams
Scammers use phone calls, emails, text messages, and letters to impersonate Social Security personnel and trick people into giving up personal information.
Common tactics include asking for your Social Security number and threatening to cut off Social Security benefits if personal information isnt provided.
Always remember, the Social Security Administration offers free forms and services.
If you suspect that youve been a victim of a Social Security scam or wish to report any attempts, you can call the Office of the Inspector General hotline from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays.
You can also submit a fraud report through the OIG website.
How Do I Make An Appointment At The Joliet Social Security Office
It is always advisable to make an appointment before visiting the Joliet Social Security office. You can make an appointment by calling 1-800-772-1213 between 8:00 am and 7:00 pm, or directly call the local office you want to visit. Appointments are rarely available the same day or even the same week, so it is advisable to plan ahead.
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How To Check The Status Of My Benefits Application
Once you have submitted the application for your benefits you need to wait for Social Security process the application and come to a decision. This could take a few days to a few months.
It depends on what benefit you are applying for, the information you provide, and the number of applications that are currently being processed.
If you would like to confirm your application status you can log into your my Social Security account and check from there.
Or you could call the Social Security office yourself and request information on your claim.
Each benefits application article I have written will provide details on how to check your applications status.
An Office Visit Is Worth Your Time
Many people find that visiting the SSA office is the best way to get the help they need, and this is especially true of people who are unfamiliar with computers or the internet. The Claims Specialists are trained to answer questions about the process, and are there to help you with the most common reasons people visit the office: Social Security Disability applications, retirement benefits, and Social Security cards.
Its worth the time to go to the field office, but be sure to make an appointment, come prepared, ask questions, and find out what your next move is.
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Who Is Eligible For Social Security
The following people are eligible to receive social security benefits:
How Do I Apply For Disability Benefits
If you need to apply for disability benefits, you have a few options. You can apply online, over the phone, or at your local office. The online application is the quickest and easiest way, but the other methods are available should you need them. Should you need to apply over the phone, simply call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 .
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A Guide To Your Local Ssa Office Visit
The Social Security Administration local office is the location that handles all types of Social Security claims and applications, from retirement to Social Security Disability Insurance to Supplemental Security Income . When you visit, you can get more help if you have questions ready for the representative who serves you.
Use these tips to ensure your SSA trip goes as smoothly as possible, with few hassles and hiccups. It helps to go prepared.
How To Apply For My Benefits
When applying for any kind of benefits you need to check the qualifying criteria, your income level, your citizenship, as well as other factors. You need to contact the Social Security Administration to set up an appointment, provide the correct documents, and fill out the application form.
Depending on the benefits you apply for the process could be slightly different. However most benefits applications include the following steps:
Application Process For Specific Social Security Benefits
I have written in-depth articles on the application process involved for each of the SSAs benefits. Each article covers who qualifies, the documents you need to collect, the application form, the wait time, and what to do once you are approved:
- To learn how you can apply for Retirement benefits please click this link. You will be directed to an informative article I have written to answer relevant questions about applying for retirement benefits.
- To learn more about applying for Disability benefits please click here. This article covers who is eligible and how you can apply.
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What Kind Of Documentation Do I Need To Bring
The documentation that you need to bring along varies depending on what it is you are trying to do. At a minimum, you will need some form of identification. This might be a driver’s license, U.S. Passport, or state-issued non-driver’s identification card. You might also need your current Social Security card and even your birth certificate. It is usually best to take everything you can even if you are not sure whether you need it. It is better to carry documentation that is not needed than to arrive without the proper documentation.
Joliet Il Social Security Card Name Change Process
If you have legally changed your name you need to update your social security card. Some common situations where you would need to update your social security card include marriage, divorce, after becoming a naturalized citizen or you have legally changed your name. When you have changed your name legally, even just your last name, it is important that your social security card is updated so that your future social security benefits from the SSA do not run into issues.
Below we have listed the basic steps to a social security card name change in Joliet IL:
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How Can I Check My Social Security Benefits
The easiest way to check your benefits is by logging into your My Social Security account online through www.SSA.gov. Once you get logged into your account, you can view benefit statements, benefit estimates, earnings history, and the status of any pending applications. That site should be your go-to for any information related to your Social Security account.