May 2019
The Top Ten Baby Names Are Here!
Just arrived! Social Security is happy to announce the top baby names for 2018. We’re with you from day one, which makes us the source for the most popular baby names! For most people, Social Security starts at birth when they get their first Social Security card. We’re able to determine the most popular baby names from the prior year based on requests for Social Security numbers for newborns.
What were the most popular names of 2018?
Coming in at number 10 are Logan and Evelyn, dropping down five spots and one spot, respectively, in comparison to the 2017 list. At number nine are Mason and Harper. Mason dropped from its number seven spot in 2017, and this is Harper’s highest spot on the list so far! You can read about the rest of the top 10 on our baby names page!
Most parents apply for their child’s Social Security number at birth, usually through the hospital. Your clients will need it throughout many important stages in their child’s life, beginning when your client claims them on their tax return. It’ll also be useful if they need to apply for benefits for the child. And, of course, the child will need it to begin their first job.
Social Security is with you through life’s journey. To learn more about baby names, a newborn’s Social Security number, benefits for children, and to see the full list of top names, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/babynames.
The Administration for Community Living Seeks Public Input
The Administration for Community Living (ACL) wants to hear your best thoughts and ideas for the future activities of the Elder Justice Coordinating Council (EJCC). The EJCC coordinates activities related to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation across the federal government. They want to know what issues you think the EJCC should prioritize over the next two years.
You can submit comments electronically to ejcc@acl.hhs.gov with “Thoughts and Ideas” in the subject line through September 30, 2019.
What they are looking for:
Comments, thoughts, and ideas about activities or topics the EJCC could promote that would benefit the elder community. Examples of questions to address these concepts would include:
- How have the EJCC’s past activities benefitted you or your affiliated programs?
- What activities, tools, resources, or components could most effectively advance elder justice at the state and local levels?
- How could the EJCC benefit the larger elder justice community?
- What is the best way to measure the EJCC’s impact and effectiveness?
What they are not looking for:
Please do not use this mailbox to report suspicions of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Any suspected abuse, neglect or financial exploitation should be reported to your state’s Adult Protective Services. ACL is also not authorized to receive personally identifiable information beyond the contact information of the person submitting input. They will not review any comment that includes any other personally identifiable information such as names, addresses, phone numbers, or Social Security numbers.
You can read ACL’s full public input invitation at https://acl.gov/about-acl/public-input.
Changes to California’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Also Known As CalFresh
If your clients receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and live in California, they will soon be eligible to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, also known as CalFresh. California is currently the only state where SSI recipients are not eligible for SNAP benefits because a food assistance benefit was included in the State Supplementary Payment (SSP). The California Department of Social Services is ending the state’s cash-out for SNAP benefits in the SSP. Beginning June 1, 2019, people receiving or authorized to receive SSI or the SSP will be eligible for CalFresh, provided all other eligibility criteria are met. Your client’s SSP will not be reduced because of this law.
Starting June 1, 2019, Social Security staff will screen SSI applicants and recipients in California who live in all-SSI households for eligibility. These field office personnel will take their SNAP/CalFresh application.
If your clients are California residents in all-SSI households, receive or are applying for SSI, and need assistance with their SNAP/CalFresh application, have them contact their local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). They can speak to a Social Security representative between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Visit www.cdss.ca.gov/food-nutrition/calfresh to apply for CalFresh, or for more details about this change in the California state law.
Older Americans and Social Security
May is Older Americans Month and a perfect time to share Social Security information with your older clients. If they are ready for retirement benefits and/or Medicare, they can apply online at www.socialsecurity.gov/benefits/retirement. They can begin their application, return to a saved application they haven’t finished yet, or check their application status.
Our benefits calculators are helpful tools for people considering retirement. Your clients can access them at www.socialsecurity.gov/planners/calculators.
At any stage in your client’s career, they can also use our benefits planner to create a holistic plan for their golden years at www.socialsecurity.gov/planners.
Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month
During the month of May, we observe Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in the United States and celebrate the accomplishments of this community. Like our great nation, the AAPI community draws strength from family and the diversity of its distinct cultures — each with its own history and range of perspectives.
Social Security’s programs serve as vital financial protection for millions of Americans, regardless of race and background. If your clients retire, become disabled, or die, their benefits may extend to help care for the immediate members of their family.
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.socialsecurity.gov/planners/index.html. If your client is ready to retire, they can apply for benefits using our online application.
Our AAPI page also has a wealth of information at www.ssa.gov/people/aapi. Share it with your clients today.
Withholding Federal Income Tax from Your Social Security Benefits
Have you or your clients recently filed your taxes, or met with your tax professional and found that they owe taxes this year? Let your clients know that they can ask Social Security to withhold federal taxes from their monthly benefits at a rate of 7, 10, 12, or 22 percent. They will need to complete and sign IRS Form W-4V, available at www.irs.gov/forms-pubs. They can then mail it to their local Social Security office. Our Social Security office locator has the mailing addresses at www.socialsecurity.gov/locator.
At the beginning of the next calendar year, your clients will receive Form SSA-1099, which will show any voluntary federal income tax withheld. If they wish to change or even stop the amount withheld, they can sign a new form W-4V, and mail it to their local Social Security office. More information can be found at www.socialsecurity.gov/planners/taxwithold.html.
