The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
CHECK THE STATUS OF YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS CLAIM ONLINE
If you applied for Social Security benefits, or have a pending reconsideration or hearing request, you can check the status online using your free personal my Social Security account. If you don’t have an account, you can create one at http://www.ssa.gov/myaccount to see the following information about your claim:
• Date of filing.
• Current claim location.
• Scheduled hearing date and time.
• Incomplete applications.
• Servicing office location.
• Publications of interest, depending on the claim and current step in the process.
Use your personal my Social Security account to check the status of your application or appeal at http://www.ssa.gov/myaccount.
If you have questions about retirement, disability, Medicare, or survivors benefits, as well as Supplemental Security Income, visit our webpage at http://www.ssa.gov/benefits.
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SOCIAL SECURITY ONLINE LEARNING TOOLS
Our online learning resources for educators are great for teaching others about Social Security! Chances are that a student will know someone who receives retirement or disability benefits. Our educational resources help communicate information about our programs to a new audience and show them how our programs can help people other than retirees. Understanding how Social Security helps wounded warriors, children, and adults with disabilities can inspire greater empathy and encourage them to learn more.
We offer an educator’s toolkit to engage students and teach them about our programs. Use the toolkit to create your own lesson plan! You can also use our toolkit to teach your child or grandchild about Social Security’s important programs.
The toolkit includes:
• Lesson plans with objectives.
• Infographics and handouts for each lesson plan.
• Links to Social Security web pages.
• Talking points.
• Quiz questions and answers.
For more information, we encourage you to access the toolkit at http://www.ssa.gov/thirdparty/educators.html and share it with your favorite educators today.
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RECOGNIZING THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM AND THEIR FAMILIES
Social Security is committed to reducing barriers and ensuring people who are eligible for our benefits receive them. We provide income security for the diverse populations we serve. This includes people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families.
Many parents and caretakers of children with disabilities lose work hours and income because of their children’s care needs. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides monthly financial support to low-income families with children who have developmental and behavioral disabilities. These include ASD – and physical impairments. For more information on SSI, please visit http://www.ssa.gov/ssi.
People with ASD may have questions about how ASD affects their employment options. They may also see their ASD as a barrier to employment. Employers have started to recognize that many people with ASD can bring a variety of skills and strengths to the workplace. Our Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security and want to work. The Ticket Program helps get vocational rehabilitation, training, job referrals, and other employment support services. For more information about this program please read http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10061.pdf.
We recognize the need to support, understand, accept, include, and empower those on the autism spectrum. Please share this information with friends and family and help us spread the word on social media!
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SOCIAL SECURITY EXPANDS OUTREACH AND ACCESS FOR SSI
Social Security has expanded its outreach to people in critical need of financial help who may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI provides monthly payments to adults age 65 and older or to other adults – and children – with a disability or blindness who have limited income and financial resources. SSI helps pay for basic needs like rent, food, clothing, and medicine.
We identified underserved communities in rural and urban areas across the country. We focused on areas with the greatest decline in SSI applications since the pandemic. Our outreach efforts targeted areas where a majority of people are living at or below the federal poverty threshold.
People who receive SSI may qualify for other financial help, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP benefits (formerly known as food stamps), Medicaid, and discounted internet service through the Federal Trade Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program. Social Security beneficiaries may also be eligible for SSI.
People with limited income and financial resources and internet access can visit http://www.ssa.gov/ssi to learn more about SSI eligibility and request an appointment to apply for benefits. People without access to the internet can call our National 800 Number at 1-800-772-1213 to speak with a representative.
Please share this information with your friends and family to spread the word about SSI.
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