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)
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Thomas Z.
I have been trying to cancel Medicare part B for 2 weeks. I keep getting wrong information and or people that do not want to help The latest was they need form CMF 1763 and get it on your website. It is not available
Vonda V.
Hi Thomas, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to terminate Medicare Part B. We hope this helps!
Sean D.
My son was born in 2018 and we never received a SS card for him yet one was mailed, now since the offices are closed, they want us to mail in our original drivers license, what are we supposed to use as identification during this time? It took 2 months for them to respond last time, can we expect the same next time? I’m just trying to get his number so I can do my taxes before the 15th of October, I would love to be able to drive an hour to the nearest office to show them my drivers license instead of waiting months.
Vonda V.
Hi Sean, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for information on how to replace a Social Security card for a child. To learn more on the process and what documents you and your child will need to get a card, please visit our Learn what documents you will need to get a Social Security Card web page. If you do not want to mail in 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.
tami B.
What about unemployment benefits – I work part time – I was furloughed – work told to apply for unemployment- how will affect my disability check – I had a brain injury
Vonda V.
Hi Tami, thank you for your question. Unemployment benefits do not affect or reduce Social Security retirement and disability benefits. State unemployment compensation payments are not wages because they are paid due to unemployment rather than employment. However, income from Social Security may reduce your unemployment compensation. Contact your state unemployment office for information on how your state applies the reduction.
If you’re receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), unemployment insurance benefits are considered unearned income. If you, your spouse, or a child living in your household have any income other than your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment, including unemployment insurance benefits, you must tell us.
To learn more about SSI and how income affects your payment, read What You Need to Know When You Get Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Julie M.
I’m really annoyed that I have to mail my original documents in the mail In order to change my name because of marriage but people getting brand new cards can go into the office this is ridiculous
William E.
I sent in form CMS1763 to my local SSA Office at 6110 Allentown Road, Suitland, Maryland 20746 1-877-512-3849. I spoke to someone and they acknowledged that they received the form on 8/12/2020 to desenroll me in Medicare Part A and they would take care of it for me. My wife retired 6/30/2020 and Blue Cross states that I need to enroll in Part B so Medicare would be my primary. I didn’t realize I still had it since I have been back to work since 2013 because of a disability and never had to use it. I want to cancel because I am under 60 and still working and it would cost us another $144/month. I have spoken to probably 15 different people including a Vivian and her manager who works at that office. Today Vivian said there is nothing more she can do because it is in process and maybe call Medicare. I have heard ten different things like I would receive a letter 10 days later, it would be effective 30 days later and then the other day 60 days later. I even have spoken to two people at the main number and according to them they are all working at home and don’t have access to do anything. That totally makes not sense to me for them not to have access to your sites. According to SSA website you take care of the disenrollment not Medicare like Vivian said today. I am desperate for someone to help me, I have emailed my local representative and Channel 4 news in Washington DC and now I am coming to you because I had to pay a bill of $52.00 so far because it is messed up. I am afraid to go to any of my doctors in fear it is going to be so much our of pocket
Vonda V.
Hi William. 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.
William E.
Ms. Von Til,
Mr. Weston the manager of my local Social Security Office contacted me on 9/11 the same day I sent this complaint. He stated that he would have to get with another manager to help with disenrolling me in Part A. Since that day I have not heard anymore and when I logged into my SSA Account this morning I am still enrolled in Medicare Part A. I am not able to visit my doctors because this affects me financially. I am confused about asking and submitting the required form for something that is my personal business and not getting the request finialed. I did contact Medicare like Vivian told me to and Medicare called me back to state that this was something Social Security has to handle. What is there left for me to do ? I feel that I have been patient since 8/12/2020 when I submitted the CMS1763 to my local office and all you hear is due to the Covid.. I have been working this whole time because I am considered Essential so I can’t make excuses if I don’t do my job. Please will someone put pressure on Mr. Weston to do what he was hired to do I would appreciate it.
Vonda V.
Hi William, we again 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.
William E.
I finally received a letter from SSA stating that my Medicare A has been cancelled the last day in August 2020. Thank you for your assistance in this matter, probably would not happen without it.
178.157.90.181
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paul c.
big problems with bank and social security – i am at the end of my rope!! my partner was declared dead due to mail being returned from the veterans home marked deceased. SS showed her as deceased from Feb and pulled balance from her bank account as well as no deposit of last few payments. bank reopened account – but manager dis not know about reclamation division – finally fixed that – but still no deposit for current check. She has been bounced between two branches for current city and city of va home offices. person has been out since last week with no cover and only message! how do we get this fixed? she is too patient and will not call main over and over for resolution which seems to be the only way to get it done. Help!! Help!!! Help!!
AAnn
is my social security retirement benefit considered a supplemental benefit when unemployment asks if I have earned any income?
Vonda V.
Hi Ann. We are unable to answer questions about unemployment insurance as each state administers its own program. Learn more here.
KP
The frontline staff at grocery stores, post offices, hospitals and many service providers are working taking maximum precaution. Why can’t SSA staff begin to work with maximum precaution and provide help for in person mandated services such as updating new citizenship document? The tel service line staff say that we can send it via post but if the mail gets lost? Would SSA help to replace the certificates with no cost to the customer and in a short time? Or at least the SSA should accept online submission of the naturalization certificate and they can cross check with the government database such as USCIS. Do the SSA staff not access indoor services such As grocery shops, restaurants, hospitals etc? The SSA should modernize and go online or provide in person assistance based on appointments. The SSA should take appropriate steps.
Thank you
sandra m.
I have tried faxing your office in Culpeper, Va. (1833 912 2316 and faxing your direct fax #1-833 914 2016 for weeks. I try at all times of the day and night (9 am, 10 pm, midnight, 3 am etc. Please get your fax machines working.
Thank you for your help.
Sandra M. Powell
home phone # 540 948 5000
Vonda V.
Hi Sandra, thanks for using our blog. We are sorry to hear about the difficulties you are experiencing. Please call your local office. 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.