Ticket to Work Works

March 3, 2016 • By Doug Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Communications

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If you’re currently receiving Social Security disability benefits and you think you are ready to work, our Ticket to Work program can help. Ticket to Work is our free and voluntary program that helps you get vocational rehabilitation, training, job referrals, and other employment support services. This program is for individuals ages 18 to 64, […]

Tags: Disability

Prepare for Your Future with my Social Security and myRA

February 29, 2016 • By Richard Ludlow, Dept. of Treasury, Executive Director, myRA Program

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Your future belongs to you. Although retirement may seem far off, life moves quickly, and it’s important to take the right steps now to ensure your financial wellbeing down the road. To help more Americans prepare for long-term financial security, Social Security and the Department of the Treasury are joining forces to launch Envision a […]

Set a Goal, Make a Plan and Save

February 25, 2016 • By Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

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I have a question for you. Did you know it’s America Saves Week? Here’s another one, are you saving for your retirement? One more, if you will, when was the last time you looked at your savings account? America Saves Week is an annual opportunity to reassess your answers to these questions and ask yourself […]

DoD Medical Data Available Almost Instantaneously

February 22, 2016 • By Kitt Winter, Director, Health IT Program Office

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Social Security is always finding new ways to provide world-class service. Social Security started receiving Service member, Veteran, and eligible family members medical records electronically from the Department of Defense (DoD) using health information technology (health IT) leveraging the eHealth Exchange. This latest improvement speeds processing times of disability applications. The disability case processing sites […]

Help us Create Open Government Plan 4.0

February 18, 2016 • By Ruby Burrell, Chief Strategic Officer, Social Security Administration

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Social Security is always looking for ways to enhance your access to our information.  We are preparing to publish our fourth Open Government Plan in June. Your input regarding ways to improve our programs and services is invaluable. Our last plan, published in 2014, reflected our commitments to transparency and outlined our efforts. In our […]

Tags: online services, social security, Social Security benefits, SSA

You Don’t Need A Magic 8 Ball To Find The Answers To Your Questions

February 16, 2016 • By Doug Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Communications

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Sometimes, finding answers to your questions on government websites can feel a lot like asking questions of a Magic 8 Ball™. That’s not the case with Social Security’s frequently asked questions. In 2015, Social Security won the “ClearMark Award of Distinction” for best plain language websites and documents from the Center for Plain Language for […]

Compassionate Allowances Speed Help to People with Severe Disabilities

February 11, 2016 • By Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

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Disability can happen to anyone. If you suffer from a serious medical condition that prevents you from working, time is of the essence when it comes to applying for Social Security disability benefits. Although Social Security is committed to processing disability claims as quickly as possible in all cases, our initial claims process typically takes […]

Tags: SSI

Social Security Is Important to Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders

February 8, 2016 • By Christopher Kang, National Director, National Council of Asian Pacific Americans

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Happy Year of the Monkey! The Lunar New Year is another opportunity for us to make New Year’s resolutions. For many Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, having a better understanding of Social Security should be on their list of things to do. I had to learn about many of Social Security’s programs very […]

Our Customer Service Caught the President’s Attention!

February 4, 2016 • By Doug Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Communications

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The White House announced winners of the first ever President’s Award for Customer Service, and we’re proud to share that one of our employees received this honor among four other government awardees. Shawn Lynch, a claims representative from the Dothan, Alabama, field office, was recognized for her superior customer service. Among her many contributions, Shawn […]

Tags: online services

Have You Seen Your Social Security Card Lately?

February 1, 2016 • By Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

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We strive to provide you world-class service. With that in mind, Social Security rolled out a new service that allows some of our customers to request a replacement Social Security card online. The new online version of the Application for a Replacement Social Security Card allows people in some states to request a replacement card […]

Tags: my Social Security, online services, Social Security card