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Social Security Program Experts Can Answer Your Important Questions

October 8, 2020 • By

Reading Time: 1 Minute

Last Updated: August 19, 2021

There are many online resources about Social Security, so it is important that you come to us as the first place for answers. You can find many of the answers about our programs and services on our Frequently Asked Questions page. We feature our most-asked questions at the top of the page to help you find answers to the most common questions quickly, like:

You can also browse by topics like:

  • Disability.
  • Social Security Payments.
  • Retirement.
  • Medicare.

You can visit our publications library for detailed information on nearly all of our topics. We make each publication available in text, audio, and downloadable formats.

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About the Author

Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner

Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner

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Comments

  1. Gretchen

    My father died in 2020. I haven’t yet received his Form SSA-1099-Social Security Benefit Statement. My husband and I already received ours. Will his SSA-1099 be mailed or do I need to call Social Ssecurity?

    • V.V.

      Hi Gretchen, thanks for using our blog. We are very sorry for your loss. The SSA-1099 is mailed in January to the last address in our records and is intended for the spouse or executor of the deceased. If you do not have access to the mail at that address, the executor will need to call the local field office after February 1, 2021. Please 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.

  2. Linda E.

    I am blocked from my social security account.How can I fix it?I need access to apply for ex spouse benefits

    • V.V.

      Hi Linda, thanks for using our blog. Sorry to hear you are having difficulties creating a my Social Security account. For assistance with your account, you may call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please 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.

  3. Jack D.

    When will the 2020 social security 1099R be mailed?

    • S.D.

      Hi, Jack. Thanks for using our blog to ask your question. We mail a Social Security 1099 each January to people who receive benefits. It tells you how much Social Security income to report to the IRS on your tax return. A replacement SSA-1099 for 2020 will be available after February 1, 2021. At that time, you can instantly download a printable copy of the tax form by logging into or creating a free my Social Security account. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for additional information. We hope this information is helpful.

  4. jean n.

    got a letter stating my s.s. monthly payment has been reducedm to 382.10 from 882.00 why i’m retired 75 yrs old and on fixed income.

    • S.D.

      Hi, Jean. Thank you for using our blog. Unfortunately, your question is a bit more complex than we can handle in this forum. For your security, we do not have access to information about your record. We ask members of our Blog community to call your local office with specific questions. You’ll find the phone number with our Social Security Office Locator. Please be patient as our call volume and wait times are longer than normal. We hope this helps.

    • Gregorio H.

      I am need an budget letter

      • Gregorio H.

        I need an award letter

      • V.V.

        Hi Gregorio, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to get a benefit verification letter. This letter is sometimes called a budget letter, a benefits letter, a proof of income letter or a proof of award letter. You also may be able to request a benefit verification letter by using our automated telephone service at 1-800-772-1213. You can conduct the automated services 24 hours a day. At the prompt, indicate that you’re requesting a proof of income letter. We hope this helps.

  5. Pritam S.

    How can I apply social security retirement ?

    • V.V.

      Hi Pritam, thanks for using our blog. You can apply four months before you want your benefits to start. When you’re ready to apply for retirement benefits, use our online retirement application, the quickest, easiest, and most convenient way to apply.

  6. Cheryl H.

    If I Am Currently receiving Social Security Will it be affected if i get Remarried

    • V.V.

      Hi Cheryl, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for how marriage may affect other benefits. We hope this helps!

  7. Dan B.

    May I choose to opt out of medicare coverage and if so, how do I do that?

  8. Brian R.

    Is there a maximum earned income for my spouse? If she claims a spousal benefit and earns active income, at what point does that income affect here monthly spousal amount?

    • V.V.

      Hi Brian, thanks for using our blog. The amount your spouse is allowed to earn while receiving benefits depends on your spouse’s age. If she attains full retirement age in 2021, the earnings limit is $50,520 but we only count earnings before the month she reaches full retirement age. Beginning with the month she reaches full retirement age, earnings no longer reduce her benefits, no matter how much she earns. If she’s under full retirement age for the entire year, then we deduct $1 from benefit payments for every $2 earned above the annual limit. For 2021, that limit is $18,960.

      Visit our Receiving Benefits While Working web page for more details.

  9. Debra R.

    How do I find out about disability benefits for a family member living at home?

    • V.V.

      Hi Debra. We pay disability benefits through two programs: the Social Security Disability Insurance program (SSDI) and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. To qualify for SSDI benefits, you must have worked long enough and recently enough in jobs covered by Social Security (usually within the last 10 years). The (SSI) program is a needs based program that gives cash assistance to disabled individuals with limited income and resources. We pay disability benefits to people who are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last one year or more or to end in death. If you think your family member may be eligible to receive disability benefits and they would like to apply, they can use our online application.

      If they are unable to apply online, they can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or call their local Social Security 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.

  10. Delores M.

    why do u have wait when it is close to ur date to receive your check and it turns into another week because of ur birthday we have to another week this makes ur bills later to paid and bills r later then their acharge on bills so we end of waiting 5 weeks even 6 weeks sincerely michael PETROSKY AND DELORES PETROSKY

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