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
See CommentsAbout the Author
Andrew Saul, Commissioner, Social Security Administration
Commissioner of Social Security Administration (June 17, 2019 - July 9, 2021)
Comments
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Mary J.
My name is incorrect when I sign into SS website. How can I have it corrected? You have it Maryjane and it should be Mary Jane.
V.V.
Hi Mary Jane, thank you for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to correct your name. If you do not want to mail in your documents, which will be returned, you may need to wait for the offices to reopen. Use our Social Security Office Locator to find your local office address. We hope this helps.
Wendy B.
I usually receive my social security by the 24th of the month and have not received it yet this month, is there a reason or should I be concerned?
Thank you
V.V.
Hi Wendy, thank you for your question. If you applied for Social Security benefits after April 30, 1997, the birthday of the person whose record you receive benefits under determines your payment date:
Date of Birth Payment Day:
1st through 10th Second Wednesday
11th through 20th Third Wednesday
21st through 31st Fourth Wednesday
Check out our Schedule of Social Security Payments for the current payment dates.
Dianne C.
I need to add my first name to my SS card due to the issuance of a new drivers license. I do not feel comfortable mailing all my original documents and I do not see why you cannot accept copies. If you have any questions a simple phone call can remedy the issue. Please accept my copied documents so that I can get a new required drivers license by our government. Thank You! Dianne Calcutt Bryant
8436655167!
V.V.
Hi Dianne, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to change your name. If you do not want to mail in your documents, which will be returned, you may need to wait for the offices to reopen. Use our Social Security Office Locator to find your local office address. We hope this helps.
DONNA T.
When drawing covid and unemployment benefits, is that counted earnings toward maximum amount you can draw?
Cheryl
No one answers the phone at Social Security office! Why can’t the employees work in Social Security office and wear their mask like everyone else. Why are they even getting paid? They are not working
V.V.
Hi Cheryl, thanks for using our blog. Our offices remain closed to the public for face-to-face service. We are still able to provide critical services via phone, fax and online. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Eugene K.
This is a follow-up to the Social Security issue I submitted to the OIG in February 2020. The case involves me receiving a notification on December 4, 2019, I owed $804.00 for 2018 IRMA. I reviewed the issue and yes, I did owe the money because of vacation payout. On December 17, 2019, I visited the Marietta, Georgia office and wrote a check in the amount of $804.00. It took until March 9, 2020, after calling this matter to the attention of the OIG, that the check was processed. In the meantime, in January 2020, the Social Security Administration withheld $319 from my benefit, and February 2020 another $808.50, for a total of $1,127.50 withheld. The initial amount owed was $804, thus $323.50 was over-held and is owed to me. My normal benefit is $1,228.60, less $144.60 for Medicare, leaving a benefit payment of $1,084.
I have inquired the Marietta, Georgia Social Security Office approximately 15 times and each time I hear the same story, the case is at the payment center and it takes time. As a side note, I recently moved to the Asheville, North Carolina area. I believe I have been patient enough with this matter and it time for someone to take action to pay the $323.50 due to me. I read the article in the AARP Newsletter of the interview with Commissioner Andrew Saul. There is a monstrous customer service issue within the Social Security Administration. Most of it appears to be many employees that have no idea of what customer service is about and/or just don’t care.
I know this is difficult times for our Country, but this matter should have been cleared up months ago. It is time for some action.
Thank you for your assistance in following through with this matter.
V.V.
Hi Eugene. We apologize for the difficult time you are experiencing working with Social Security. We have referred your complaint to our Office of Operations to follow up and to take corrective action as necessary.
loretta
What is address of the Social Security Commissioner❓ Where do you send complaint or request to investigate Sherwood Arkansas Disability Determination Office❓ Mishandling of Social Security Casas❓
V.V.
Thanks for using our blog, Loretta You can submit feedback by visiting our Contact Social Security page. Once there, select the “Email Us” link. This will take you to the “Email A Question to our Support Team” form, where you can complete and submit a compliment, complaint, or suggestion. We hope this helps.
Theresa K.
I would like to know, how SS expect a person to live on $918 a month? When the cheapest rent in the town is 600 and you have to make three times the rent to qualify to even rent??? Then you have to find a plan to pay for your medications because SS says you don’t qualify for extra help.
Oralia L.
I need to change my last name on my social security card, why can I fax the documents? I don’t feel comfortable mailing them .
V.V.
Hi Oralia, thank you for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to change your name. Unfortunately, if you do not want to mail in your documents, which will be returned, you may need to wait for the offices to reopen. Use our Social Security Office Locator to find your local office address. We hope this helps.
kyle g.
my son has Epilepsy he has been dealing with SS Disability for going on 2yrs! He had hearing last year was denied he appealed and 0n 7-29-2020 received letter from SS Denied! This has been the worst experience we have seen! He meets all the requirements of if have Epilepsy seizures more than once month, confusion, starring blankley, euphorea before seizure, temporary confusion, loss of consciouness, jerking arms and legs, etc., he has all and more has had serious injuries from seizures, my question is what does he have to do to get a disability he qualifies for? Your SS has done nothing but make him wait and then deny with no real reason, this system is so unfair, he can’t work because 3 or more times a week he has times he starts mumbling, eyes are in blank stare, body arched, these last for about 15mins, after he is totally exhausted body sore but yet he is denied you want to feel discriminated then try and deal with your system, only income he has is 550.00 monthly from rental the rest I have been paying and all this has put tremendous stress on him and myself, my son went from a full supporting himself, active adult we thought he had so much to look forward to then he is told he has pseudo seizures nothing can be done, psychiatric may help, but since he has no insurance and money is tight we put what needs first! Medicines, we have researched this over and over now I am begging you to help, look at his case or have someone that knows about Epilepsy look then with a straight face till me why SS is screwing with him, to be honest he was told by SS if he was uneducated, 50yrs old his chances would be much better to get disability, that is discrimination and you should be ashamed that anyone in your organization would say that!! Your help will be greatly appreciated.
V.V.
Kyle, we are sorry to hear about your son’s disability. If he was recently denied, he may request an appeal within 60 days of receiving the decision. Your son can provide additional evidence when he files his appeal.
If he needs help requesting an appeal, he can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or he can contact his local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.