Social Security Update (Subscribe)

September 2022

Three Social Security Online Musts

It has never been easier to do business with us online. Often, there is no need to call or visit an office. Here are three of our webpages that can make your clients’ lives easier:

  1. They can create or sign into their personal my Social Security account to instantly verify their earnings, get future benefit estimates, or a benefit verification letter, and more, at www.ssa.gov/myaccount.
  2. Is your client ready to apply for retirement benefits? They can complete and submit their online application in as little as 15 minutes at www.ssa.gov/retirement.
  3. Our blog is the place to go for Social Security news. Encourage your clients to visit blog.ssa.gov and subscribe today.

Our online resources don’t end there. If your clients’ needs aren’t listed above, visit us at www.ssa.gov/onlineservices.

If You or Your Clients Fall Victim to a Scam

If your client is a victim of a scam, they should never feel embarrassed. Anyone can become a victim of fraud. The important thing is to report the scam immediately. Advise your clients to:

  • Stop communications with the scammer.
  • Notify financial institutions and protect their accounts.
  • Contact local law enforcement and file a police report.
  • File a complaint with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at www.ic3.gov and on the FTC website at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
  • Report Social Security-related scams to our Office of the Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov.
  • Retain financial transaction information and records of all communications with the scammer.

Please share this information with your clients so they can help their friends, family, and community.

Why It’s Important to Report Life Changes to Us When You Receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Did you know that certain life changes can affect your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments? Sometimes your circumstances may change after you apply for or begin to receive SSI. When that happens, it’s important for you to tell us about these changes. This will ensure that you receive the benefits to which you’re eligible.

Common changes you must report to us include:

  • Changes in income, wages, or self-employment income;
  • Starting, stopping, or changing jobs;
  • Changing your address;
  • People moving in or out of the household;
  • Changes in marital status (including any same-sex relationships);
  • Having more than $2,000 if you are single or $3,000 if you are married in resources that you can cash in, sell, or use to pay for food and shelter; and
  • Changes in resources, including money in financial accounts and buying or selling extra vehicles, stocks, investments, or property.

Please visit our blog to learn more about your clients’ reporting responsibilities and how they can report changes in wages.

Save the Date! Upcoming National Disability Forum on September 21, 2022

We will host the next virtual National Disability Forum (NDF) on Wednesday, September 21. The title is “Homelessness: Working with Stakeholders to Improve Access to SSA Benefits and Services Part I.” The event will take place through Microsoft Teams from 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. ET.

For more information about the NDF, we encourage you and your clients to visit our What’s New page at www.ssa.gov/thirdparty/groups/whatsnew.html. You and your clients can email questions to OEA.Net.Post@ssa.gov.

Social Security Services for the Hispanic Community

Every September 15 through October 15, we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month to recognize the contributions and cultural richness of the Hispanic community.

We strive to deliver great customer service and helpful information to everyone, including people who are more comfortable reading and speaking Spanish. We invite your clients to:

  1. Visit our Spanish-language website at www.segurosocial.gov to learn about our programs and services.
  2. Learn why Social Security is so important to the Hispanic community.
  3. Follow us on our Spanish-language Facebook and Twitter.

We also provide many publications in Spanish at www.ssa.gov/espanol/publicaciones on popular topics such as:

  • Retirement, Disability, and Survivors benefits;
  • Medicare; and
  • Supplemental Security Income.

Please share this information with your clients.

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