A COVID-19 Update from Our Commissioner
Reading Time: 1 MinuteLast Updated: February 21, 2023
I want you to hear directly from me how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting our services. The first thing you should know is that we continue to pay benefits. Be aware that scammers may try to trick you into thinking the pandemic is stopping your Social Security payments but that is not true. Don’t be fooled.
To protect you and help stop the spread of this coronavirus, we cannot accept visitors in our offices at this time. There are several other ways you can get help. Many services are available online. If you have a critical need that you cannot address online, we can help you over the phone.
Please visit our website to find out what services we are continuing and which ones we are suspending, how to contact us, and important information about deadlines we are extending to ease the burden on you and medical providers during this pandemic.
You can subscribe to receive email or text message notifications. Please share this information with your family and friends to help us spread the word.
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Tags: COVID-19, social security
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Andrew Saul, Commissioner, Social Security Administration
Commissioner of Social Security Administration (June 17, 2019 - July 9, 2021)
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Bless
Smh we all should be getting extra money we pay taxes too when we shop in retailers and buying Groccerys we still have to pay taxes living on a month to month income doesn’t help most of us lost our homes transportation and more we don’t get enough money for Ssi or ss we all still have bills to be paid as soon as we get our monthly payment from social security after rent lights gas water it’s nothing left for most they have little to nothing to put food on the tables or buy household items what bout us we need HELP too I feel like most big businesses and small business who been in business for awhile should have some crisis insurance for crisis like this for their own businesses cause that’s what insurance for they should be able to pay their on employees they can afford it if they want to make a change than they should start doing so now why we gotta keep suffering all our life or most of us don’t get the support we need we get cut off before they give us anything after they labor us they used us to get money and they don’t used it to do the right thing to support us all now I know deep down inside most of you gonna say something good or bad but ion care it’s the truth and this crisi we are facing is a wake up call if you they want to make everything better than start here if not ok they spend money on b.s anyways and tell us how much we can get what we can use it for and rather or not we can can’t have something break it they pretty much treat us like nothing and they have to much rules we a little monthly payment cuz they had some bad folks don’t mean we all da same we suppose to be better than this and look us we going back and forth bout who getting the money and who’s not ask your self this WHAT HAVE THAN DONE FOR ME LATELY BESIDE GETTING $11 dollars raise or whatever and what have they been trying to cut off hint food stamps hint they trying to cut social security and our heath insurance hint what make us think they gonna give us any money I’ll like end it with this I pray that we all be safe and I pray for the families that lost a love one and please folk keep praying that our country have speedy recovery as well and keep your faith high In Jesus Christ Amen
Brad A.
I recommend that everyone that gets SSI and SSI Disability to get on the phone to your Senator and congressperson if you want to be included in this stimulus checks. People regularly talk about calling their senator or representative. But if you seriously want a chance to get included in this stimulus money, you better take the few minutes of time and flood them with phone calls. that is the only chance you have. Everyone staying basically quarantined should give everyone nothing but time to do so.
Louie P.
Ssa will get it ssi want under the Republicans plan but their negotiating with Democrats tommarow so there will likely be some change maybe .best to call or contact your senator on social media I’ve been aggravating them all day
Kathleen B.
I’m wondering how this will affect my backpay that’s I’m waiting on almost at five months now.Actually waiting four years to get hearing just really need it still processing ,spoke to someone two days ago still processing.Im on oxygen can’t get medicine Medicare doesn’t start till April but in reality should be two years ago so where’s our help???My lawyer said call my congressman I can’t be around anyone copd asthma sleep abnea and cancer survivor prone to pneumonia so what do I do who do I talk to.When I do they don’t know any information on status of backpay.
Kari
I’m on dissability,was wondering if we will also get the relief checks,I get less than a 1000 s month to live on. So I didnt have to file a tax return. I’m struggling with this virus as well. Having to stock up on more food and cleaning supplies. What I get now doesnt even last me the month. Like many others who are on ssdi or ssi. Now I have to stay home I’m already lonley as it is. So I’m supposed to stay away from people. On almost 60. I feel very isolated right.now. Just dont want us to be forgotten. I have the direct express card so if I do recieve hopefully would go on there. But who knows maybe you had to file.
Kristy
From what I’m ready people on disability, retired and railroad, would get half if passed. I’m a Disabled Civilian due to lupus and other major health issues that come along with Lupus. I am also a Disabled Gulf War Veteran, I believe those of us who have served our country and paid into Social Security should get the stimulus check. I live pay check to pay check, I do not get any state benefits or assistance. No I do not file taxes cause I do not have a earned income. I’m highly educated and do to my Disabilitys I am not able to work, I pay by bills just like those who receive a check from a company. I barely make it to my next pay period, sometimes I have to borrow money from my daughter, to get me through. I have seen we will get it and have seen we won’t, I guess we will find out in and few days or so…those of you who think we don’t deserve the stimulus must not need it, we are American’s who have paid into the system, so there for we deserve the stimulus also. I didn’t ask to get injured in the first Gulf War, I’m proud to say I served my country and proud to be American, I would do it all over again, I’m proud I have 3 Bachelor Degrees, I wanted to be a lifer and retire from the USN, I wanted a career after retirement from the service, I didn’t ask for Lupus and other major health problems, but I learned to live with it and except it, I am also a very proud American and should be awarded the stimulus just like a young adult who will receive one.
Lori
Will individuals who are already enrolled in Part A of Medicare and delayed enrolling in Part B because they had employer coverage, be able to enroll in Part B online or via phone at this time? Thank you.
Here t.
Lori, you’re referring to what is called an SEP (special enrollment period). There are 2 forms that are required (located on the medicare.gov website).
Scroll to the bottom of the site, then click on “Forms, Help, & Resources”. Click on “Medicare Forms”, then locate the section that says, “Enrollment forms”. The 1st form is the CMS 40B, which is the form you fill out and indicate on #12 (remarks) when you want your Part B coverage to begin (ex. I want part B to begin 4/2020). The 2nd form is the CMS L564, this is for your employer to complete (it provides the necessary info that is required to qualify you for enrollment without having a surcharge/penalty). Both forms must be submitted together. It is traditionally recommended that you mail in the forms to your servicing SSA Field Office. ( These forms are also being accepted via fax due to the recent changes/covid-19) The mailing address to your servicing office can be found under the “contact us/office locator” section of the ssa.gov website. You can also call the national # (800-772-1213) for the address or fax #.
Concerned A.
Everyone is asking the same question. Will people on SSI and SSDI receive a stimulus check? I have read that every american under $75,000.00 a year will get a check. However, what about those on SSI or SSDI? I have worked for over 40 years and am now on SSDI, and am working 3 days a week to make up for money needed for food, bills and other needed items. I will be one of the first to be cutoff payroll, no work. I want to know if I will receive a check. It is very important for Social Security to find out these answers for us. We depend on their information because we have no where else to get it. Is someone out there fighting for us? Who should we contact to request that we too should be included among those receiving stimulus checks. Who can we write to or call to request to be considered. After all, they say that “every american” will receive the checks.
Mary
I just read that they are going by w2’s and tax returns from the previous year2019) and they will use the info from that to direct deposit into bank accounts. It’s 1000 for individuals and 500 per child.
Sad
Hi Mary, yes I think you are right. Just the tax payers. 🙁
https://nypost.com/2020/03/19/gop-coronavirus-stimulus-bill-unveils-1200-checks-for-public/
Chasity S.
From what I’ve read online only people that files taxes for 2018 will be getting it, up to $1200 per adult and $500 per child but no more than$3000 per family.. I’ve been wondering the same thing, after paying bills I’m broke, single mother of teen and special needs 5 year old. It would help a lot cause costing more now. They should help everyone. But that’s the only thing I can find that’s legit on the stimulus relief check.
Tracey G.
I’ve seen, for the last week, questions about the stimulus package and not 1 time has it been answered! I know the government thinks just because we live on the little bit of money we get from month to month but right now with this growing situation they need to realize that ppl on SSI don’t have money to stock up on food and other things, that we have to buy when we have money to, and now I go to the store and the shelves are bare! We suffer with struggling all the time but now we are struggling more and I bet we don’t get any additional money! I’d anyone finds the answer to this question that has been asked repeatedly for a week please post it. Thank you
John M.
Thanks for the thoughts! Good to hear from you!
I am confused about the Government getting us $1 000 checks though. Only your office has our checking information, not the IRS. Are they mailing our checks? Anyway, thanks for the letter.
Llewellyn w.
Hope deposits it like they do r ssi disability checks monthly
Beverly A.
I have read all of these questions, so I’m not going to ask the same question. BUT I would like to know if few will know when the checks will be sent. Thank you.
Elizabeth J.
This is an excellent source of information. However, you still have a large part of the population that does not have internet. So what happens to those folks? Do you mail the the information and when will they receive it? Just a thought.
As for the $1000., we are going to be on the short end I know. The government thinks they are doing a favor by giving us our Social Security, you know the one we worked long and hard for.
Jeff B.
Yup. I’ve been trying to “copy paste” my tirade, so Elizabeth, allow me to air my grievances via your post…
@AnneC. “Social Security *drone*” blogger – “she” ***never*** answers the COVID 19 Stimulus Check for folks collecting some form of Social Security.
My thought: I’ve been disabled (SSDI) since 2004, and don’t make enough to require filing tax return. I’ve **never** received stimulus’ checks, so pretty much am disappointed that folks who don’t file, don’t receive.
So, AnneC — will you answer this clearly stated question: WILL FOLKS WHO AREN’T REQUIRED TO FILE A TAX RETURN, BE INCLUDED DURING THIS DISASTER?
Yup, all caps AnneC. Maybe someone attending to this blog will answer the hundreds of questions posed about COVID 19 Coronavirus Stimulus Check, in relation to those of us who rely on Social Security to survive.
Sherry T.
Jeff B. You could have received the Obama stimulus. The social security offfice gave explicit instructions on how to claim it if you didn’t file taxes, same as I am sure they will this time.