Disability, General, Retirement, Survivors

Knowledge is Power, and so are our Publications!

May 28, 2015 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: August 19, 2021

An older man and his two granddaughters use the computer in a library

You can’t open a book without learning something new, just like you can’t read one of our publications without learning new information about our programs. We encourage you to explore the pleasure of reading by visiting our online library of publications. You’ll find answers to all the questions you have about Social Security, but may have been afraid to ask.

In our virtual library, you can learn more about Social Security, our programs, and what our programs mean to you and your family. Browse through our collection of publications. Search our online catalog by typing a title or topic in the library’s search box, and sort your results by a publication’s date, number, or title. Many of our publications are available in up to 17 different languages. Our publications are easier to read than the classic novel that’s been sitting on your nightstand; we write in plain language to make the information easier to understand.

If you don’t have time for reading, but you’re still curious, don’t worry! Another option is listening to the audio recordings of our publications.

The fastest and most convenient way to get one of our publications is online. However, if you prefer a good, old-fashioned printed copy, you can call us at 410-965-2039, and we will mail it to you.

Social Security has been serving the American public since 1935 — the same year that paperback pioneer Penguin Books released its first title. But, now, the publications we provide

are available in more than just paper form. Whether you prefer to learn from a print, electronic, audio, or alternative format, Social Security has all the answers you need.

When you’re going through a life-changing event and it’s time to study up on our services, reading about our benefit programs will help make your next chapter one for the books!

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About the Author

Phil Gambino, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Communications

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Comments

  1. Richard M.

    What was the thinking behind penalizing early enrollees by deducting $1 for every $2 made over the annual specified amount, (which resembles the poverty limit)?

    I would think that most early enrollees opt to do so due to financial difficulties.

    Such people know that they are taking a hit of @25 percent on benefits for life. Is that not pouring salt into the wound?

  2. Manshu

    Great article, It’s one of the best content in your site. I really impressed the post. Good work keep it up. Thanks for sharing the wonderful post. I also Agree Knowledge is power.

    • Ray F.

      Thank you for participating and using our blog, we are glad you like it and appreciate your comments and feedback!

  3. betty s.

    if i start my ss at age 62 can i start getting my husbands when he retires.i am disabled and have not worked in a year and if i wait until sept. 2915 they are going to put me on ss anyway.but my husband is wating until he is 66. can i shitch on to his.

    • James L.

      Good question, Betty! If you are under full retirement age (62) and qualify on your own record, we will pay that amount first. Later when your husband retires, and if you qualify for a higher amount as a spouse, you’ll get a combination of benefits that equals that higher amount. See our Retirement Planner: Benefits For You As A Spouse for complete information. then check out our publication, “What Every Woman Should Know.”

      Social Security pays disability benefits to people under their full retirement age if they have a medical condition that has prevented them from working or is expected to prevent them from working for at least 12 months. Once people reach full retirement age, we pay them their retirement benefits. If you are under your full retirement age, you can file for disability benefits online. If you have specific questions, call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Representatives are available Monday through Friday between 7:00a.m. and 7:00p.m. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week. We hope this helps!

  4. James H.

    N/A

  5. James H.

    Congratulations on Social Securities 80th birthday.
    I, too, turned 80 this year. That’s all I wanted to share.
    Bye.

    • James L.

      Wow, congratulations James; what a great achievement! If you’re receiving Social Security benefits and want to tell us your story as part of our 80th celebration, go to our 80th Anniversary web page and look for the blue “Share Your Story” button.

  6. Virginia H.

    How long should I be expected to wait for benefits due to my husband’s death on Feb 20, 2015? I have done everything requested, including a telephone interview, and been approved, but still have not gotten my increase due to his death. I don’t know what else to do.

    • James L.

      Hi Virginia, saw your similar comment earlier last week on our “Getting the Most Out of Your Shiny New Tablet” blog post, but just in case you didn’t see our reply there, we apologize for the inconvenience that you are experiencing. For security reasons, we do not have access to information about your application in this venue, but please continue to work with your local office on the specifics of your claim. When you call or visit the office, you can request to speak to a manager about the delay. You can also call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), and speak with one of our representatives regarding the status of your application. Representatives are available Monday through Friday between 7:00a.m. and 7:00p.m. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week.

  7. Rita A.

    I’ve been told by Social Security that the reason I am only entitled to $16.00 a month food stamps is because i have a lot of money from some Real Estate that I sold for over $300,000.00…Wouldn’t the IRS have notified me that I have to pay tax on that sale if I ever really did make that transaction? How can I find out? I called back to S.S. and was told that the lady that called me really did work there.
    You can’t feed a dog on $16.00 a month. What should I do?

    • Lorenzo D.

      Thanks for your question, Rita. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formally known as the food stamp program, provides help for individuals who have limited income and resources. Generally, your household cannot have more than $2,000 in resources. Resources include cash, bank accounts and other property. For more information see our information on SNAP. For any income tax questions, you will need to contact the IRS. Their toll-free number is 1-800-829-1040.

  8. KEN

    in regards to the above, i went to soc. sec. railroad, my congressman and senator, within these five years, and nothing with the right answers . seems nobody wants to take responsibility for the action done ,then they blame me.
    i told them i had the quota,so they just administrated me for medicare and not my award letter needed for the adjustment to my pension.
    so why can’t anyone see i’m being taxed on moneies not received.

    • James L.

      Ken, unfortunately your question is a bit more complex that we can handle in this forum. Based on the information you provide, you really should contact a Railroad Retirement Board office or its toll-free telephone number for information about your railroad pension benefits. We hope this helps

  9. KEN

    HI;
    I HAVE A PPROBLEM WITH A QUESTION. I RETIRED IN 1998 OF DEC. WITH DISABILITY AND THE RAILROAD PUT ME ON MEDICARE IN 2002. . I WAS A LONG ISLAND RAILROAD EMPLOYEE. ON AUGUST OF 2010 TURNED 65. I WAS TOLD TO REPORT TO SOC,SEC. OFFICE BEFORE MY BIRTHDAY FOR PLAN B AND D. ALSO AN AWARD LETTER FOR MY PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT BEFORE THE RAILROAD WICH I PAID INTO SOC.SEC.
    MY QUESTION IS; THE SOC. SEC. OFFICE NEVER APPROVED MY STATUS OF HAVING ANY QUOTA TO MEET ADDITIONAL PAYMENT FROM SOC. SEC. UNTIL FOUR MONTHS AFTER MY BITHDAY THAT I QUALIFIED.
    MY PROBLEM IS, my income taxes have been showing income from soc. sec.for five yrs. and i’m not getting the adjustment to my pension from the railroad because of a late award letter that the lirr claims i need. yet every year the money is being added as income for me to have tax claim on it.
    i have been trying for years to get this right and i keep getting the run around and difficulty in a proper dated award letter.
    i was told i can claim it at 65yrs old. and it will be sent to rail road retirement board to adjust. but not being done due to there soc. sec. office error back in 2010 not realizing i was qualified and took months to get it right. i’m paying for that error all these years.
    it’s my earned money i’m paying taxes on it and not getting it in my pension. all these years they owe me retro money. nobody wants to bother with the details of my problem. this is why all these years went by, with promises but nothing.
    maybe you can help.
    thank you for your time.

  10. Pat F.

    Any news on the proposal to reduce the benefit amount of SSDI beneficiaries by 20% in 2016?

Comments are closed.