May 2020
Coronavirus – Important Information about Social Security Offices
We recognize that your clients may have questions about the status of Social Security offices during the Coronavirus pandemic. Although our offices are currently closed to the public for face-to-face service, our employees continue to work remotely to provide critical services to the public.
We will continue to update our website with information on the status of our offices. Please visit our COVID-19 page at www.ssa.gov/coronavirus for more information. Your clients can learn about the critical services we provide online or by phone, as well as other important updates. They can also subscribe to get an email or text message notification when we update the page so they can stay informed.
We continue to monitor the situation nationwide and improve our current online and telephone services, while we plan for how we can provide a safe office environment for the public and our employees.
Release of the Annual Report of the Supplemental Security Income Program
The Annual Report of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program provides comprehensive information on the SSI program in accordance with the mandate in Section 231 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. SSA prepares and delivers this report to the President and Congress on an annual basis. The SSI report includes:
- A comprehensive description of the SSI program;
- The 25-year projection of future recipients and program costs;
- A historical summary of statutory changes to the SSI program;
- Historical and current data related to various aspects of the SSI program; and
- Summaries of any relevant research on the SSI program.
The SSI report also includes a statement on the SSI program from the Social Security Advisory Board as allowed by the above legislation. You and your clients can read the report at www.ssa.gov/OACT/ssir.
Older Americans Month – Reminder to Apply for Retirement Benefits Online
May is Older Americans Month. This provides a good opportunity to share Social Security information with your older clients.
Our benefits calculators are helpful tools for people considering retirement. Your clients can access them at www.ssa.gov/planners/calculators. They can also use our benefits planner at any stage in their career to create a plan for their golden years at www.ssa.gov/planners.
If they are ready to begin receiving retirement benefits, they can apply online at www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement. They can complete their application, return to a saved application they haven’t completed, or check their application status.
Using our online tools and services can be especially helpful to people of all ages as we continue to adapt to the changes and challenges presented by the current public health crisis. Encourage your clients to learn what they can do online at https://www.ssa.gov/onlineservices/.
Connecticut, Ohio, and Utah Residents - You Can Now Request a Replacement Social Security Card Online
Residents in Connecticut, Ohio, and Utah can now request a replacement Social Security card online. Our online application makes getting a replacement card easier than ever.
To use this online service, they will need to create a my Social Security at www.ssa.gov/myaccount. Once they have a my Social Security account, they should follow the instructions to request a replacement Social Security card. They will need to meet certain requirements to request a replacement card online:
- Be a U.S. citizen age 18 or older;
- Have a U.S. mailing address (this includes APO, FPO, and DPO addresses);
- Not be requesting a name change or any other change to your card; and
- Have a driver’s license or state-issued identification card.
We use strict identity verification and security features to protect your clients’ information. The application process has built-in features to confirm an individual’s identity and detect fraud.
Encourage your clients to use my Social Security for their business with us.
Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in the United States. This year’s theme, “Unite Our Nation by Empowering Equality” focuses on leadership, diversity, and inclusion to advance the AAPI community.
In honor of AAPI Heritage Month, we want to highlight our AAPI page, which has a wealth of information at www.ssa.gov/people/aapi. Share it with your clients today.
Social Security’s programs serve as vital financial protection for millions of Americans, regardless of race or background. Our Benefits Planner website explains all the benefits Social Security has to offer your clients, their spouses, children, and other eligible members of their family at www.ssa.gov/planners. If your clients are ready to begin receiving retirement benefits, they can apply for benefits using our online application at www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement.
