SOCIAL SECURITY
News Release
Social Security Responds to Hurricane Katrina
Agency Issues More Than 30,000 Emergency Checks to Date
“Social Security has moved quickly to ensure that monthly
payments get to beneficiaries affected by Hurricane Katrina and
that other vital Social Security services are provided,” Jo
Anne Barnhart, Commissioner of Social Security said today. “As
we have all witnessed, the Gulf Coast is coping with destruction
and loss of life that is utterly unfathomable. To ensure that beneficiaries
will continue to receive their monthly Social Security and Supplemental
Security Income payments, I have invoked immediate payment procedures
that permit on-the-spot payments to be made to anyone who can no
longer access their benefit check. I am pleased to report that,
so far, Social Security has issued more than 30,000 immediate payments
and that number continues to grow.”
Information for the public is available at www.socialsecurity.gov/emergency
or by calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
Since September 1st, Social Security has provided immediate payments
to evacuees who are not able to receive their monthly benefits,
whether by mail or direct deposit. Beneficiaries can go to any open
Social Security office and receive an immediate payment by check
that replaces the full amount of their Social Security or Supplemental
Security Income (SSI) payment.
In addition, Social Security is providing immediate payments and
other vital services to the affected areas and to evacuees in other
locations through a variety of means:
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A temporary office has been opened in the Houston Astrodome
and is providing service seven days a week.
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Social Security representatives are serving the public at evacuation
centers throughout the U.S., such as the Baton Rouge River Center.
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Social Security employees are onsite at FEMA’s Family
Assistance Centers, such as the FEMA site in Ocean Springs,
Mississippi. We anticipate having representatives onsite at
similar centers in Pascagoula, Moss Point and Waveland, Mississippi
and in Shreveport and Monroe, Louisiana.
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Many Social Security offices are offering extended hours of
service and remained open throughout the Labor Day weekend to
help evacuees.
Social Security and the United States Postal Service also established
temporary mail delivery stations in areas where mail service was
suspended due to damage from Hurricane Katrina. Beneficiaries still
remaining in those areas could pick up their checks at those locations.
Social Security is working with federal, state and local officials
in affected areas to assist families who may now be eligible for
Social Security benefits. Emergency procedures have been implemented
that will allow expedited processing of applications for survivors
benefits or other Social Security benefits.
For evacuees who have lost their identification documents, Social
Security has put in place a simplified protocol for verifying identity
to provide them with the Social Security information they need to
apply for jobs or assistance from other agencies.
“I am proud of the hard working and dedicated Social Security
employees who are doing everything possible to ensure beneficiaries
continue to receive their monthly payments,” Commissioner
Barnhart said. “Over the past several days I have heard heartbreaking
stories from our employees, some of whom have lost their own homes.
Yet, through all of this, their spirit and compassion remains strong.
I can assure those affected that we will continue to be there to
serve them as our nation copes with the devastation left in the
wake of Hurricane Katrina.”
Facility Information
There are ten Social Security facilities that remain closed in
Louisiana. These include field offices in Covington, New Orleans
Westbank, New Orleans East, New Orleans Bywater, New Orleans Downtown
and Kenner. Also closed are the New Orleans Teleservice Center,
hearings offices in New Orleans and Metairie and the New Orleans
Disability Determination Service.
There are two Social Security facilities that remain closed in
Mississippi. These are the Gulfport and Moss Point field offices.
Beneficiary Data
In Louisiana, more than 400,000 Social Security beneficiaries reside
in the counties affected by Hurricane Katrina. These beneficiaries
receive more than $325 million in monthly benefits. In addition,
there are almost 91,000 SSI recipients residing in these counties
receiving over $39 million in monthly benefits.
In Mississippi, almost 127,000 Social Security beneficiaries reside
in the counties affected by Hurricane Katrina. These beneficiaries
receive almost $102 million in monthly benefits. In addition, there
are over 22,000 SSI recipients residing in these counties receiving
almost $9 million in monthly benefits.
In Alabama, almost 125,000 Social Security beneficiaries reside
in the counties affected by Hurricane Katrina. These beneficiaries
receive over $104 million in monthly benefits. In addition, there
are over 21,000 SSI recipients residing in these counties receiving
almost $9 million in monthly benefits.
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SSA Press Office 440 Altmeyer
Building 6401 Security Blvd. Baltimore, MD 21235
410-965-8904 FAX 410-966-9973 |