Visit Social Security Online This Holiday Season

At Social Security, we understand that the holiday season may give some of us a break from daily routines and the time to rest and relax. We want your clients to know that our online services are available to help them do business with us in an easy, convenient, and secure way. This season, encourage your clients to sign up for a personal my Social Security account.

A free and secure my Social Security account is your clients’ online gateway to our services. Creating an account allows your clients to check their Social Security Statement, get proof of benefits or proof that they do not receive benefits, verify their reported earnings, estimate their future benefits, and much more!

We are committed to protecting your clients’ personal information and benefits. That’s why we work with credential partners to securely verify their identity to create their personal my Social Security account. We do this to protect their information while making our online services easy to use.

When your clients create their personal my Social Security account, keep in mind:

• They must be 18 years of age or older, have a Social Security number (SSN), and a U.S. mailing address.
• They will be redirected to the partner’s website when they select “Sign In with Login.gov” or “Sign in with ID.me.”
• They must provide a valid email address and some additional information.
• Once they create the credential, they will return to the my Social Security webpage for next steps.

Please have your clients visit www.ssa.gov/myaccount to see all they can do with a personal my Social Security account. We wish you and your clients a safe and happy holiday season.

Please share this information along to your clients.

Social Security Administration Establishing National Native American Office

Acting Commissioner Kilolo Kijakazi recently announced that we established an Office of Native American Partnerships within the Office of the Commissioner.

This office will elevate and centralize efforts to administer comprehensive programs and policies related to American Indians and Alaska Natives. It will enhance our relationship with Tribes and serve as the primary point of contact on Tribal affairs for all stakeholders.

Find more information on the new Office of Native American Partnerships on our blog. Please share this information with your clients.

The Ticket to Work Program

Every day, people with disabilities play an important role in a diverse and inclusive workforce. We would like to tell you and your clients about our Ticket to Work Program (Ticket).

The Ticket Program supports career development for people with disabilities who want to work. Adults ages 18 through 64 – who receive Social Security disability benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – qualify for this free and voluntary program. Through the Ticket Program, service providers offer free employment support services.

To learn more about the Ticket Program, ask your clients to visit choosework.ssa.gov where they can see a list of service providers. Or your clients can call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, and ask for a list of service providers.

Your clients can also learn more by registering for a free, online Work Incentives Seminar Event (WISE) webinar at choosework.ssa.gov/wise. Or they can text TICKET to 474747 to receive Ticket Program texts. Standard messaging rates may apply, and your clients can opt out at any time.

Your clients can see how the Ticket Program helped Amy on her path to financial independence through work on our blog at https://blog.ssa.gov/disability-part-of-the-equity-equation.

Please share this information about our Ticket Program and Amy’s story with your clients.

New: Self-Attestation of Sex Marker in Social Security Records

We now offer people the choice to self-select their sex on their Social Security number (SSN) record.

People who update their sex marker in our records will need to apply for a replacement SSN card. They will still need to show a current document to prove their identity, but they will no longer need to provide medical or legal documentation of their sex designation.

Please let your clients know they can find more information on our blog.

Social Security Cards Are Safer at Home

Scams to steal your clients’ personal information are at an all-time high. The need to safeguard important personal documents such as their Social Security card continues to be very important.

A Social Security card is not an identification document. In many situations, your clients only need to know their Social Security number (SSN). Please advise your clients that their physical card is not necessary for most business needs.

Do your clients need evidence for work? There are several documents they can use instead of their card. Other acceptable evidence includes the following:

• Birth Certificate.
• Permanent Resident Card or Alien Registration Receipt.
• Employment Authorization Document.
• Form I-94 or Form I-94A.

Your clients do not need to show their physical card to apply for certain benefits. Your clients can simply provide their SSN for benefits like:

• Housing.
• Health insurance.
• Food assistance.

Your clients should also know their physical card is not required as evidence for the Department of Motor Vehicles or Driver License (REAL ID). The only state that requires a physical card is Pennsylvania. For all other states, other acceptable evidence includes:

• W-2 forms.
• Form SSA-1099.
• Non-SSA-1099 forms.
• Pay stubs.

Keeping their card at home reduces the risk of loss or theft – and helps your clients keep their information safe.

Holiday Closings of Local Social Security Offices

We want you to know that our offices and phone lines will be closed to the public on December 26 and January 2. However, your clients can still access and use our automated telephone services or our online services every day during the holiday season.

Please visit www.ssa.gov/onlineservices for a list of our secure and convenient online services. Our Contact Social Security by Phone lists automated telephone services available to your clients.