COVID-19, General

Commissioner Saul Communicates to Congress about the State of Social Security Services

April 26, 2021 • By

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Last Updated: April 26, 2021

A photo headshot of SSA Commissioner Andrew SaulAndrew Saul, Commissioner of Social Security, wrote to key members of Congress to raise awareness of the resources Social Security needs to recover from the ongoing pandemic and improve service.

“Since becoming Commissioner, I have focused our actions and our resources on efforts to improve the service we provide to the millions of people who turn to us for help. I have been clear in my budget requests about what it takes to improve service and maintain the integrity of our programs: both additional frontline staff to help people now, and information technology (IT) investments to improve our future,” said Commissioner Saul.  “2021 is a critical year to shape the agency for post-pandemic success, but our resource constraints will delay our recovery. I appreciate President Biden’s support of our needs with his FY 2022 budget request of nearly $14.2 billion for us, which is $1.3 billion more than what we received this year to operate our agency. No one anticipated the duration of the pandemic and the ongoing challenges it presents.”

For the full text of Commissioner Saul’s letter, please read our press release.

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About the Author

Andrew Saul, Commissioner, Social Security Administration

Commissioner of Social Security Administration (June 17, 2019 - July 9, 2021)

Comments

  1. Mary S.

    My brother lives in Fr. He cannot apply for any retirement that he earned previously. I hope he can take care of this.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Mary. Since your brother is living outside of the U.S., he can contact his local Federal Benefits Unit for any assistance related to Social Security benefits. Also, our Office of International Operations home page provides more information to assist our customers living abroad. We hope this helps.

  2. Nancy F.

    Please help those who worked in state government or schools who paid into Social Security for years before, during and after in private sector jobs, but because of the Windfall Elimination and Offset provisions, only get a fraction of what they paid in, and what was paid in by the private sector employer. This was money paid by both the employer and employee; should be paid to the employee upon retirement but is not. Those provisions should be repealed.

  3. Jessie

    The whole damn government needs to get back into their offices. Especially SSA because of the needs of the disabled and the elderly, some of whom are computer challenged.

    I work for an SSA attorney and we are constantly getting calls from people who are frustrated trying to get help from SSA and no one returns their calls, no one is in their offices.

    GO BACK TO WORK!! Some of us never left the office and were here thru it all.

  4. Kay P.

    Government has been stealing from SS for years. When will they pay that back?

  5. Harvey K.

    I am a retired postal worker. I am plagued by the offset and windfall provisions that Congress put into the Social Security system. It would be a great financial help if those provisions were removed so that I, and many others who served in government could the monies to which we are entitled by having paid into the system

  6. Michelle L.

    I, being on disability, did not receive a stimulus check. I’m appalled that this happened to me. I have barely enough to get by month to month and I was denied a stimulus? I am guessing it was garnished without my knowledge? I got no warning or information beforehand. This is quite the slap in the face!

    • Art G.

      Were you denied or did you just not receive it? There is a difference. Likely if you have been on social security disablity for a while and that is the only money that you receive, then you do not file an income tax return. The stimulus checks were based on 2019 tax returns. If you didn’t file one they wouldn’t have generated a stimulus check. You can file a 2020 income tax return indicating that you did not receive the $1200 last April nor the $600 in January and you should receive an $1800 refund. That should also generate the $1400 to be issued for this year.

  7. Jerome B.

    It sure would be nice if working people, upon becoming disabled, were provided their SSD for which they were fully insured when the SSA’s own professionals reveal the severe disabilities. Instead, the disabled are treated like criminals trying to scam the system for what they worked for. They are encouraged to go to court before an abusive judge, and thousands of dollars taken from their meager disbursement – after years of waiting – and only *if* they are “approved”. For some people, work is truly a loser’s game.

    • Victor

      Well said. May Our Loving Father continue to keep and bless Us All.

    • Velma

      So true!

    • Kimberlee A.

      Agreed I’ve had every medical needs form signed in my state and still since 2017 locked out and worked my entire life..problem is I have pots so my lep is limited and legal aide said it was conflict of interest

  8. Bill C.

    What impact did the COVID19 Pandemic have on the solvency of the social security system. I just started receiving retirement social security and continue to wonder if there is danger of a default.

  9. Abdellah n.

    To whom it concerns
    I am Abdellah Nadafi, Am American citizen SSN xxxxxxxxx
    Am married and I have a son, his name is Fahd Nadifi, his American citizen SSN xxxxxxxxx
    and I took him to the doctors and they told me that he has a disability
    And now I want to submit a disability request for my son
    Did i send you medical evidence?
    And i didn’t receive 500 $ of covid19 for my son why?
    Thank you
    God bless America

    • Laura

      You may wish to delete your ssn information above. It’s personal information that can be misused by the public. Thanks you.

      • Abdellah N.

        To whom it concerns
        Am Abdellah nadifi am American citizen
        what should we do
        My son is 5 years old and I don’t receive any help for him his American citizen to
        I want someone to work with me on this problem please
        Thank you
        And God bless America

    • Mousielove

      Agree – God bless America. My family came here from Denmark, Norway, Iceland and Scotland. Please – NEVER – put your social security number (or ANY personal number) on a public web site! Be careful – be well.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Abdellah. Thanks for your question. Social Security has a strict definition of disability for children. The child must have a physical or mental condition(s) that very seriously limits his or her activities; and the condition(s) must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least 1 year or result in death. To apply for benefits or to find out more information on benefits for disabled children, visit here. Just a reminder – please be cautious about posting personal information on social media. We hope this helps.

  10. Rudy B.

    Andrew Saul does a wonderful job to look out for our interest however if I may comment on the 2021 increase for us Seniors it was nearly a drop in the bucket and twenty some dollars per month certainly doesn’t cover our necessities. We urge Congress to take a good look at the present COLA formula and perhaps they could come up with some changes that benefits us Seniors with better increases !!!! Respectfully Rudy Braendle

    • Victor T.

      Financially,American people getting table scraps after working a life time,left at the mercy of “insurance” companies for our health, for Our Very Lives.It seems we are being dragged backwards as to a third world country.As for the Social Security office,at least in my County,they are non-existent,want accept phone calls and Certainly Won’t return phone calls or mail.May We Remain steadfast in Our Faith, humility,compassion one for Another,for All Life. May Our Journeys be One Of Peace.

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