Covid 19 And Social Security Benefits, In the United States social security benefits are provided to a large number of populations. This is the financial help on which they can rely at the time of retirement, disability, children and spouse benefits, and many others. But the question is what in the case of the COVID pandemic? Social security administration keeps on changing its policies and operations and this is done the same.
In response to Coronavirus concerns, significant changes are made in 2020. Nowadays all the local social security offices are closed and no one can clear their thoughts in person with the SSA representatives. There are some important updates that you must check.
There are some deadlines that are being extended due to COVID and this is why it is important to check them. Also, the social security administration is updating information on their website that is ssa.gov/Coronavirus/ where you can check loads of helpful information on how this pandemic has affected social security and what you must be doing next.
Covid 19 And Social Security Benefits
What is working?
Social security administration has different local offices in the United States and there are millions of applications which means an extreme workload. Still, there are social security administration employees who are working on the cases which are on highest priority. So, you can use your office locator to find phone numbers and clear your queries. You can call them for
- Disability applications are being processed but only in case of severe disability
- Dire need requests for benefits payments are also being entertained in case you are not receiving your regular income or those who are homeless or are on the verge of becoming homeless or for those whose SS benefits were suspended previously.
- In case you have to change direct deposit, permanent address, death reports, and changes of a representative payee.
These are some of the cases which are being entertained by the social security administration right now. So, if your query falls in any of the above-mentioned categories then you must immediately schedule an appointment or talk to their representative immediately.
How to reach the social security administration local office?
Well, there are many people who are confused about this question. Right now there is lots of hassle going around and many are not getting responses from SSA as well. This may be due to the reason that you are not having proper contact with your local office. Right now there are some services that are being provided by the local SSA offices and that is over the phone.
You can easily find the telephone numbers of the local office by just looking at the zip code. You can also get the information from the website of SSA or use a local office locator.
There are online services are also provided in case of emergencies and you can instantly use the assistance. Currently due to the shortage of staff SSA representatives cannot talk so many calls to the national telephone number 800 and due to this you might be facing inconvenience or delays or might fail to even have access to the line. In such cases, you can use online services.
Abiding disability assessments and Overpayments
Social security administration is not completing or beginning any medical abiding disability reviews that are CDRs and have perched dispensation and accumulating the majority of the novel overpayments. There are automation processes being preceded because of the lack of staff who can take manual actions which is important to stop them.
However social security administration will be continuing collection for the existing payments. There are many other services that might not be taking place at a huge level like before, but the social security administration is containing its activities which are important. For the beneficiaries, it is important to keep updated so that they can take necessary steps when things are in their favor.
Scam alerts
Humans are prone to everything right now and so is the case with scams. There are bad people who are taking advantage of this situation and fooling people. So it is extremely imperative that you keep yourself aware of the scams and know how to prevent them. Well, there are many helpline portals available where you can instantly get solutions in case of scams.
Also, you must know what social security administrations are making changes in their policies and how they are contacting their beneficiaries and what information is being shared among the involved personnel. This will help you prevent any potential scams. For instance
The social security administration is not taking any manual actions to suspend, reduce or delay the social security benefit period although automated actions are still being taken.
Scam alert: – in case you get a call, fax, or email regarding SSA offices being closed or threatening you to suspend your social security benefits then it is clearly a scam. No one suspends your benefits just like that there is a long procedure for your application to get accepted and rejection is not given without explanation.
In case you get such threatening calls you must immediately such emails and calls to the inspector general so that actions can be taken against the fraudsters and they cannot track any other innocent in the future.
In the case of scams, you can call on the below-mentioned toll-free numbers and report scams. You can also visit the website to take any further action. Never forget to report such scams as this can help many innocent below who rely on just social security income.
To know more about the Coronavirus social security updates you must visit the official website of SSA or check your social security accounts for updates.
Contact details in case of a scam
National “Do Not Call” Registry: Sign up at www.donotcall.gov or call 1-800-382-1222. Telemarketers must honor this “Do Not Call List”, however, charities, political organizations, and surveys are excluded from the list. Department of Health & Human Services – National Center on Elder Abuse. Resources on elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation for professionals and the public at www.ncea.acl.gov
For additional WISER fact sheets on Elder Financial Abuse, visit WISER’s website at www.wiserwomen.org or email us at info@wiserwomen.org