If You Get Benefit Payments

Social Security and SSI Benefit Payments for People Affected by Hurricane Katrina

Social Security has moved quickly to ensure that monthly payments get to beneficiaries affected by Hurricane Katrina and that other vital Social Security services are provided.

• For paper checks

  The United States Postal Service (USPS) has suspended mail service in some areas damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. USPS has established temporary mail delivery stations in Louisiana, Southwestern Louisiana, and Texas so you can pick up your Social Security check. To help prevent identity fraud, USPS will ask you for a photo ID.

  If you are not able to go to a temporary mail delivery station, you can go to any open Social Security office and request an immediate payment.

• For Direct Deposit

  If you receive your Social Security payment by Direct Deposit, your Social Security payment is scheduled to be deposited to your account as usual. However, if you experience any difficulty getting your payment, you can go to any open Social Security office and request an immediate payment.

For more information on the nearest open Social Security office, you can call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Sign Up for Direct Deposit

If you have a bank account, receive Social Security or SSI benefits, and receive a paper check, we encourage you to sign up for Direct Deposit. It is a safe, quick, and convenient way to get your benefits. You can sign up for Direct Deposit in one of the following ways:

• contact your bank, credit union or savings and loan association.

• call Social Security toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

• fill out a Direct Deposit Sign Up Form and take it to a local Social Security office. (The form is available here in PDF format so you can download and complete it.)

Change Your Address

Please let us know your change of address and telephone number, even if you expect eventually to return home. You can call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Or, if you get Social Security retirement, survivors or disability benefits, you can change your address or telephone number online.

If you have Direct Deposit, your benefit payment still will go to your financial institution.

If you have your check mailed to you, it may take up to 3 weeks to change your address on your benefit check.

You also should change your address with the U. S. Postal Service online, or call 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777).