Articles Tagged with Social Security

Today, April 7, 2022, Social Security field offices will officially reopen for more in-person appointments. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Social Security offices have been closed. Appointments were only held virtually and were only open for serious and emergency appointments. More than two years later, the field offices will be providing more in-person services since the beginning of March 2020.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has hundreds of field offices located throughout the country. The field offices offer a wide variety of SSA services. As stated on the SSA’s website, services at field offices can include applying for new or replacement Social Security cards, updating benefit information, and applying for benefits for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income.

It is important to be mindful that the offices may be crowded and wait times may be long during this time period of moving back to in-person appointments. The SSA is expecting a great influx of people walking into the field offices and scheduling appointments. The field offices will be accepting visitors who do not make an appointment before. However, it is recommended to make an appointment before arriving in order to decrease wait times. Online services will still be offered in addition to the field offices reopening. The Social Security Administration will still be accepting phone calls and providing services on their website.

Times are changing, and Social Security is implementing their own changes. Beginning in 2021, the Social Security Administration(SSA) is extending a new electronic verification system for Social Security numbers (SSN). The electronic Consent Based Social Security Number Verification Service (eCBSV) is currently available for certain participants to distribute to selected customers. The Administration plans to provide this system to more participants in 2021.

The commissioner of Social Security, Andrew Saul, claims that eCBSV “is an important online service that helps us provide participants and their customers with fast, secure and more efficient SSN verifications”. He also stated that the “new electronic SSN verification service helps reduce synthetic identity fraud by comparing agency records with data provided electronically by approved participants”. In other words, the eCBSC will become a safer and more convenient way to verify important personal information of Social Security members, including their Social Security number, name, and birth date. This method will be able to correctly identify and match an individual’s personal information with their Social Security records.

In order to use the electronic system, the Social Security Administration states that Social Security will require the person to provide written consent, which will disclose their Social Security number verification to their participating company. The SSA writes on their website that eCBVS will then return a matching verification of either “Yes” or “No”. They also note that the electronic verification will not verify someone’s identify. Eligibility requirements for the electronic Consent Based Social Security Number Verification Service are listed on the SSA’s website. They require that qualified companies are permitted entities and that they have an implemented employer identification number (EIN). An EIN identifies a business entity, and it is sometimes referred to as a Social Security number for businesses. Financial companies can provide eCBVS in partnership with Social Security, or they can select another source, such as a service provider, to conduct the transactions through the business.

A new year can prompt new changes for Social Security and their applicants. Multiple sources are claiming that there will be 3 major changes for the program. Since the changes that are only proposed, there is no guarantee they will go into effect in 2021. In addition to the 3 major changes, it is possible that other changes and statues can occur as well. In 2021, it is important to stay informed about Social Security and any new adjustments that they may make. The 3 major potential changes are listed and described below.

There will be a 1.3% cost-of-living adjustment.

Beginning in January, the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will be set at 1.3 percent. Social Security states that cost-of-living adjustments allow Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits to keep pace with inflation. The Social Security Administration determines a formula to calculate COLAs. According to AARP, the monthly Social Security benefits will increase by $20 for the majority of retired workers. As a result, the average annual benefit will be approximately $1,543. Previously, the annual amount was estimated to be $1,523 in 2020. In addition, retired couples and disabled workers will also receive an increase in COLA. Retired couples can potentially receive an increase of $33, and disabled workers can receive an increase of $16. Overall, the greatest monthly payment that people can receive from Social Security would be $3,148, which is an increase from $3,011 in 2020.

Since it has been established, people have believed certain myths about Social Security Disability. However, not all information that is told about Social Security is correct. For example, statements can be overexaggerated or fabricated. It is important to research information about Social Security directly in order to receive accurate information and facts. Listed below are 10 myths that are common to hear about Social Security Disability. To find the information contained in the following explanations, visit the Social Security Administration’s website at www.ssa.gov.

A person needs to be disabled for a year before they can apply for disability benefits.

This myth is not true. The SSA lists in their Blue Book that a person qualifies for benefits if they have a disability as a result of an injury or illness that is predicted to endure for at least 12 months. If an employee is diagnosed by a medical official that states their injury will last for over a year and they will be unable to work, they should apply for Social Security Disability as soon as possible.

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