Author Archives: Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner

Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner

About Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner

Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner

Making Wise Choices When a Representative Payee Manages Your Money

Posted on by

" "Some of the millions of people who get monthly Social Security or Supplemental Security Income benefits need help managing this money. A person assigned to help you manage your monthly benefits is called a representative payee. We may decide you need a representative payee if we receive information that indicates you need help to manage your money. We try to select someone who knows you and wants to help you. Your representative payee should be someone who you trust, who sees you often, and who clearly understands your needs.

A representative payee receives your monthly benefits on your behalf and must use the money to pay for your current needs. Eligible costs include: Continue reading →

Facebooktwitterlinkedinmail

This New Year, See What You Can Do Online at SocialSecurity.gov

Posted on by

" "Are you looking for new ways to save time this new year? Social Security offers many of its services online by signing up for a secure my Social Security account.

Once you create an account, you can review your work history and see an estimate of your future Social Security benefits. We recently made several enhancements and introduced new features to my Social Security. With your personal my Social Security account, you can also: Continue reading →

Facebooktwitterlinkedinmail

Seasonal Work While Getting Social Security

Posted on by

" "Many people pick up side jobs when the holiday shopping season comes around. It’s a good way for you to make some extra income during the busy season or ease back into working if you have been out of the labor force for a while. We’re here to help you navigate working seasonally if you get Social Security.

You can get Social Security retirement or survivors benefits and work at the same time. But if you’re younger than full retirement age and earn more than certain amounts, your benefits will be reduced, although not dollar for dollar. Your benefits may increase when you reach full retirement age. You can read more about working while retired. Continue reading →

Facebooktwitterlinkedinmail

Sign Up for Medicare and Estimate Medicare Costs

Posted on by

" "Affordable medical coverage is something everyone wants, especially as people age. Luckily, our nation has safeguards for workers as they get older. Millions of people rely on Medicare, and it can be part of your health insurance plan when you retire.

Medicare is available for people age 65 or older, as well as younger people who have received Social Security disability benefits for 24 months, and people with certain specific diseases. Two parts of Medicare are Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medicare Insurance). You are eligible for premium-free Part A if you are age 65 or older and you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years.  Part B usually requires a monthly premium payment. Continue reading →

Facebooktwitterlinkedinmail

Medicare, A Simple Explanation

Posted on by

Social Security and Medicare are both programs that are household names, but do you know the true difference? Both programs help safeguard millions of Americans as well as improve the quality of life for their family and friends. While Social Security offers retirement, disability, and survivors benefits, Medicare provides health insurance. Continue reading →

Facebooktwitterlinkedinmail

Social Security Benefits Increase in 2020

Posted on by

When we announce the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), there’s usually an increase in the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit amount. Federal benefit rates increase when the cost of living rises, as measured by the Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index (CPI-W).

The CPI-W rises when inflation increases, it makes your cost of living go up. This change means prices for goods and services, on average, are a little more expensive, so the COLA helps to offset these costs. Continue reading →

Facebooktwitterlinkedinmail

Social Security Services for the Hispanic Community

Posted on by

Social Security is with you throughout life’s journey. Hispanics make up our nation’s largest ethnic minority group with a population of 58.9 million, representing 18.1 percent of the nation’s total population. During Hispanic Heritage Month, we want to turn the spotlight on our services for the Hispanic community. Continue reading →

Facebooktwitterlinkedinmail

Social Security Covers Children Battling Cancer

Posted on by

" "The effects of cancer on our society are devastating for those directly and indirectly dealing with the disease. Sadly, thousands of people under the age of 20 are diagnosed with cancer every year, and it remains the leading cause of disease-related death for children. We honor the courage of children who are battling the many forms of cancer, as well as the young people who lost their lives to these terrible diseases.

Social Security provides benefits for children who suffer from many disabling diseases, including some forms of cancer. These benefits could help with the additional costs of caring for an ill child.  Although children haven’t paid Social Security taxes and, thus, cannot be covered for Social Security disability benefits, they may receive disability benefits through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. SSI pays benefits to disabled children who have limited income and resources.

If you wish to apply for benefits for your child, you’ll need to complete an application for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and a Child Disability Report. The report collects information about your child’s disabling condition, and about how it affects his or her ability to function.

Here are the steps to apply: Continue reading →

Facebooktwitterlinkedinmail

Back to School with Social Security

Posted on by

" "It typically takes people a lifetime of planning to reach their retirement goals. The earlier young workers know about saving for their future, the better chance they’ll have at achieving a comfortable retirement. This is why Social Security has created a resource specifically for teachers and students.

Our Information for Educators page contains a toolkit with information and resources to educate and engage students on Social Security programs and services. Within the toolkit, you’ll find: Continue reading →

Facebooktwitterlinkedinmail

Social Security Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

Posted on by

" "Social Security touches the lives of every American. Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15 but we’re starting to celebrate a little earlier this year. Hispanics make up our nation’s largest ethnic minority group with a population of 57.5 million, according to 2016 statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau. In fact, Hispanic Americans form 17.8 percent of the nation’s total population.

Social Security provides retirement, disability, and other benefits to over 63 million American workers and their family members. When people hear “Social Security,” they think of retirement first, but Social Security also provides protection for the families of workers who become unable to work due to severe impairments or who have died. Continue reading →

Facebooktwitterlinkedinmail