How Does The Coronavirus Impact Social Security
The SSA has reopened all local offices for in-person services. The government agency recommends people who need help try online first, then phone, before making an in-person visit.
If you must visit an office, please be aware:
What Is Social Security
In 1935, President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act. This new federal legislature started the collecting of taxes in 1937. Since then, working citizens across the United States began paying into social security in order to have a form of guaranteed income once they reached retirement age.
The Social Security Act was initially meant to be a form of basic retirement for working individuals. However, in 1939, an amendment was made to the act that allowed spouses and/or children to begin receiving social security survivor benefits if a parent or spouse was deceased and qualified for social security income.
Can I Schedule An Appointment With The Pittsburgh 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.
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How To Appeal The Ssas Decision If I Am Denied Benefits
You can file for an appeal online in your my Social Security account. You need to fill in your information and complete the appropriate form. In some cases, you can request an appeal in person at your local Social Security office.
If you have any questions about applying for an appeal or escalating the appeals process you can contact your local Social Security office.
To learn more about fees, wait times, and the requirements of filing an appeal visit How To Appeal An SSA Decision And Check The Status Of An Appeal. That article mentions the specific forms you will need to fill out to escalate an appeal.
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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How Do I Apply For Social Security Benefits
The easiest and quickest way to apply for retirement, spouses, ex-spouses, or Medicare benefits is to apply online. If you do not wish to use the online application, or the application for the benefit you want is not available online, you can call 770-2965 or visit your local Pittsburgh SSA office. Learn More About Applying for Benefits.
What Documents Will I Need To Provide
When collecting the documents you will need to apply for your benefits to confirm they are correct. The Social Security Administration will accept photocopies for certain documents but other documents may need to be original.
Generally, you must provide proof of age, income, work history, identity, and citizenship. To learn more about the documents you will need to provide read the article What Documents Must I Provide The Social Security Administration When Applying For Benefits.
Confirm Your Documents Are Correct
To confirm you have the correct documents cross-reference with a list of required documents. Double-check, incorrect documentation is a common reason for an application to be rejected.
Refer to the What Documents Must I Provide The Social Security Administration When Applying For Benefits to find a list of documents. You can use this list to cross-reference.
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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.
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.
How To Change My Address When I Move
It is a requirement that you notify the SSA when you move. If you do not report your change of address in time or if you do not report your change of address at all you may lose your Social Security payments.
You can change your address online by:
To learn more about the reporting deadline and the consequences of missing the deadline read the article How To Change My Address. This article covers common questions, methods of reporting, and what to do if you move abroad.
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Bring A List Of Questions
It can be intimidating to sit down with a Claims Specialist when you have limited time and are unfamiliar with the SSA application process. For this reason, everyone should bring a list of questions.
Give some thought to what you dont understand about the disability or retirement process, and write it down. There is no such thing as a dumb question!
Your goal is to make sure everything gets answered. Some examples of good questions to ask if you are applying for disability:
- Should I apply for SSI or SSDI? Whats the difference?
- Where do I apply?
- How long will it take for me to find out the decision?
- What medical information will I need?
- What information do I need to show my work history?
- What are work credits?
- What documents will I need to prove my income?
- What documents will I need to prove my resources?
Social Security Pittsburgh Pa
Social Security is one of the biggest financial programs in the United States and millions of residents are taking advantage of it. Payments to the individuals are made who are eligible for the program. Eligibility for most of the social security program is based upon the work history. The general categories of Social Security are:
- Disability SS benefits
- Spousal benefits and
- Lump-sum death benefits
There is one social security administration program and that is SSI. Eligibility for the SSI program is based upon the financial needs of an individual and not the work history. To know more about the SSI program, you can visit your Social Security office Pittsburgh PA.
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How To Replace My Social Security Card Or My Medicare Card
If you are over 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, and have a U.S. mailing address you can request to replace your card online. If you are requesting a name change or any other information to be changed on your card you will need to go to the Social Security office in person.
You can log into your Social Security account and go to request a replacement Social Security number card.
To learn how long the process takes and the information you need to provide the SSA read How To Obtain/Replace My Social Security Card.
Social Security Resource Guide
Doing a bit of research can help you prepare for the application process and collect the correct information. It can reduce stress and hassle to prepare a bit beforehand. Read the Social Security Administration Benefits Resources Guide to find links and resources for each kind of SSA benefit.
David Duford
David Duford is the owner of SSAOffices.com. He owns numerous businesses including life and Medicare agencies, dedicated to helping seniors with their insurance needs. David resides in Chattanooga, Tennessee with his wife and four chlidren.
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Who Is Eligible For Social Security
The following people are eligible to receive social security benefits:
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.
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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 .
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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Social Security Offices By State
Disclaimer: The Social Security Resource Center is a free public resource site and not associated with the SSA or any other government department or government agency. The Social Security Resource Center is a privately owned organization. Social Security Resource Center is not affiliated or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other government agency. The Site is not a prepaid legal services plan or an attorney referral service. Social Security Resource Center does not itself provide related benefits to Social Security Disability, workers compensation, or veterans benefits, products and/or services. All content and information provided on Social Security Resource Center is not a substitute for professional legal advice, diagnosis, medical advice, treatment or financial advice. By continuing to visit this website and submitting your information on Social Security Resource Center, the user understands, acknowledges, and confirms agreement with this disclaimer, the site terms and conditions, as well as the privacy policy.
How To Find The Correct Application Forms
Once you have researched applying for benefits and collected the required documents you will need to complete the application form.
. This article covers the forms you will need when applying for retirement benefits, child benefits, survivors benefits, mothers and fathers benefits, and lump-sum death benefits.
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What Documents Do I Need To Apply For Social Security
Documents the Social Security Administration may ask for include:
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.
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Can I Apply For Medicare Benefits At This Pittsburgh 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.
Social Security Offices Within 100 Miles
This website is not associated with the Social Security Administration or any government services and is for general information only. Although we attempt to keep the information up to date, some information may be out of date. Please contact your local Social Security Office to obtain information directly from the SSA.
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