50+ Lifestyles

YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY | Davenport, Iowa Office

By Social Security District Manager
Davenport, Iowa

ONLINE REPORTING FORM FOR IMPOSTER SCAM CALLS

The Social Security Administration would like to remind readers about their dedicated online form at https://oig.ssa.gov to receive reports from the public of Social Security-related scams. The Social Security OIG will also continue to take reports of fraud, waste, and abuse in Social Security’s programs and operations at https://www.ssa.gov/fraudreport/oig/public_fraud_reporting/form.htm.

The full article on the online reporting form may be viewed at: https://www.50pluslife.com/2019/11/27/social-security-administration-online-reporting-form-for-imposter-scam-calls/

Social Security Expands Public Hours at Offices Nationwide

Starting on January 8, 2020, Social Security offices nationwide will be open to the public on Wednesday afternoons, Andrew Saul, Commissioner of Social Security, announced. This change restores Wednesday public service hours that were last in place in late 2012. “I don’t want someone to come to our office at 2:30 on a Wednesday only to find our doors closed,” Commissioner Saul said.

Currently, a field office is generally open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to Noon on Wednesdays. Beginning on January 8, 2020, offices will remain open until 4:00 p.m. on Wednesdays, with typical field office hours from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Also the agency is hiring 1,100 front line employees to provide service on the agency’s National 800 Number and in its processing centers. The agency is currently bringing onboard 100 new processing center employees and approximately 500 new teleservice representatives for the 800 Number. An additional 500 hires for the 800 Number will occur later in 2020.

Most Social Security services do not require the public to take time to visit an office. People may create a my Social Security account, a personalized online service, at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.

Through their personal my Social Security account, people can check personal information and conduct business with Social Security. If they already receive Social Security benefits, they can start or change direct deposit online, and if they need proof of their benefits, they can print or download a current Benefit Verification Letter from their account.

People not yet receiving benefits can use their online account to get a personalized Social Security Statement, which provides earnings history information as well as estimates of future benefits. Currently, residents in 40 states and the District of Columbia may request a replacement Social Security card online if they meet certain requirements. The portal also includes a retirement calculator and links to information about other online services, such as applications for retirement, disability, and Medicare benefits.

Many Social Security services are also conveniently available by dialing toll-free, 1-800-772-1213. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call Social Security’s TTY number, 1-800-325-0778.

QUESTION AND ANSWER

Question: Is it illegal to laminate your Social Security card?

Answer:

No, it is not illegal, but we discourage it. It’s best not to laminate your card. Laminated cards make it difficult — sometimes even impossible — to detect important security features and an employer may refuse to accept them. The Social Security Act requires the Commissioner of Social Security to issue cards that cannot be counterfeited. We incorporate many features that protect the card’s integrity. They include highly specialized paper and printing techniques, some of which are invisible to the naked eye. Keep your Social Security card in a safe place with your other important papers. Do not carry it with you. Learn more at www.socialsecurity.gov.

Question: How do I schedule, reschedule, or cancel an appointment with Social Security?

Answer:

For many things, you don’t need an appointment to transact business with Social Security. For example, you don’t need an appointment to file for benefits or appeal a disability decision. You can file for the following benefits online at www.socialsecurity.gov:

• Retirement;
• Medicare;
• Spouses; and
• Disability.

If you don’t want to apply for benefits online, or if you need to speak to us for any other reason, you can schedule, reschedule, or cancel an appointment by:

• Calling us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday; or
• Contacting your local Social Security office.