Announcement Updates
Date:
Dear Tribal Leader & Urban Indian Organization Leader:
On behalf of Martin O'Malley, Commissioner of Social Security, I am pleased to share updates to our activities. Pursuant to the Presidential Memorandum on Tribal Consultation and Strengthening Nation-to-Nation Relationships, the Social Security Administration is sharing opportunities to attend upcoming activities.
The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program is turning 50! Since 1974, the SSI program has helped millions of elders, blind, and disabled individuals who have little or no income or resources. Watch our YouTube video or read more in our Press Release. Additionally, here are recent Press Releases you might find useful:
I encourage you to share this month's FREE virtual training series focused on topics important to Tribal communities. The training will assist Tribal Benefit Coordinators, navigators, social workers, and other stakeholders who provide support to tribal members. Each session includes ample time for a Q&A discussion with SSA experts. This month's training will focus on Social Security Overpayments with the following options:
- Register for Option 1 - Tuesday, July 30th (7:00 am Pacific / 8:00 am Mountain / 9:00 am Central / 10:00 am Eastern)
- Register for Option 2 - Wednesday, July 31st (10:30 am Pacific / 11:30 am Mountain / 12:30 pm Central / 1:30 pm Eastern)
August is just around the corner, and I am happy to share these upcoming activities:
- SSA staff is scheduled to provide onsite services at three Alaskan locations serving Tribal Members to assist with various services including Social Security card replacement, address updates, reporting changes, filing for benefits or any general SSA questions. Please share the Alaska Remote Services Flyer with Tribal members who need to walk-in for services (no appointment required). The dates and locations are:
- August 5th, 2024, from 11:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M. at the Dillingham Senior Center.
- August 6th, 2024, from 11:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. at the Nome XYZ Senior Center.
- August 9th, 2024, from 11:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. at the Sitka Southeast Alaska Independent Living (SAIL).
- 26th Annual Retirement and Research Consortium meeting is set for August 7th - 9th in person in Washington DC or you may attend virtually. This free and public event showcases the latest in retirement and disability research from some of the nation's top scholars.
- The National Disability Forum (NDF) is hosting a two-part session on "Removing Barriers to Accessing Services in Tribal Communities" with the first part offered on August 29, 2024. The NDF is a public forum that gives expert panelists, including experts from Tribal Nations, an opportunity to share their unique insights on topics of particular interest with SSA early in the development process and directly with policymakers. Mark your calendar for August 29, 2024, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm EST and access the NDF homepage for the registration link after July 31st.
We will continue to keep you informed with updates to our policies that affect Indian Country through our Dear Tribal Leader Letter. I encourage you to subscribe in order to receive notifications of new letters when they are published.
Please share this invitation with other organizations that may be interested. We look forward to your valuable input. We will continue to keep you informed of opportunities for Indian Country.
Sincerely,
Reneé Ferguson, Director
Office of Native American Partnerships
Office of the Commissioner
Social Security Administration
www.SSA.gov/people/aian