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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. Sharon r.

    I will be 60 in June and thinking of starting to collect my widows benefits but want to look at age 60 61and62 amounts to see what the difference of the amounts will be and also If I decide to get married in the fall will I still be able to claim my widows benefits? ( never have remarried)

    • Sue

      Thanks for reading our blog, Sharon, and for your questions. If you remarry after you reach age 60 (age 50 if you’re disabled), your remarriage will not affect your eligibility for survivors benefits. For more information, check out our If You are the Survivor webpage.

      Typically, a widow or widower at full (survivors) retirement age or older generally receives 100% of the deceased worker’s benefit amount. For a month by month widow’s benefit percentage, check out our webpage for Survivors Born in 1961.

      You would need to call your local office and make an appointment to file for widow’s benefits as you cannot apply for them online. 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 is helpful.

  2. Sophia o.

    I lost my direct express card and cancel it. I ordered express delivery. How do I track it?

    • Vonda

      Hi Sophia, thank you for using our blog. Please call the Direct Express® card toll free Customer Service Department number at 1-888-741-1115. A customer service representative will assist you. We hope this helps.

  3. Mary L.

    How long does it take to get an answer from S.S. about my Extra Help application? Do you have a website were I can track the status of my application?

    • Vonda

      Hi Mary, thank you for using our blog to ask your question. You can log in to or create a my Social Security account to check the status of your application online.

      If you are unable to check your status online, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or 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.

  4. J N.

    My correct personal info to sign on to replace my SS card is not recognized.
    I first tried to find a phone number to talk to an actual person. How naive of me.
    I then tried it your way, and spent more than half an hour searching for a contact link that would let me verify if there was a real problem with my identity info. The only items found were descriptions of the services you offer, with out a link to use those services.
    You have closed all the local offices, which leaves no actual way to solve a problem, either with your computer, or with actual identity theft. There is no way for me to know, because there is no one who will talk to an individual.
    On paper, you are offering a hell of a lot of solutions. Trouble is, none of them are actually accessible.
    What seems perfectly useable to a bureaucrat, is a useless tangled mess to the average American.

    • Vonda

      Hi J N, 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.

  5. Genevieve K.

    Can a step-child receive survivor benefits if they are not living with the surviving/widowed parent nor legally adopted by the step-parent before their death?

  6. John P.

    My wife is applying for social security based on
    her work record, she is 62 and 6 months old.
    Will she be able to collect the spousal benefit
    when I decide to apply for social security since
    that benefit based on my work record will be a
    higher amount ?
    Thank you.

    • Vonda

      Hi John, thanks for using our blog to ask your question. If your wife qualifies for a retirement benefit from her own work history she can file for that benefit as early as age 62. She cannot receive additional spouse’s benefits unless you are receiving benefits. Once you apply, she can also apply for the additional spouse’s benefit if she is eligible. Remember, her full retirement amount (not her reduced amount) must be less than half of your full retirement amount (not a reduced amount) in order for her to be eligible for additional spouse’s benefits.

      In addition, keep in mind that if she takes her reduced retirement first while waiting for you to apply, her own retirement portion remains permanently reduced. When you add spouse’s benefits later, the total retirement and spouses benefit together will total less than 50 percent of your full retirement amount. You can find out more about this at our Benefits for Spouses web page.

  7. Connie J.

    I didn’t receive a stimulus check this year. I know I am qualified to receive one. Why?

    • Sue

      Hi Connie, thanks for using our blog. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), not Social Security, issues the Economic Income Payments. We cannot answer EIP questions about your specific situation. Check out our Social Security and Coronavirus webpage for more details. We hope this helps.

  8. Laura P.

    A concerned person who has been hospitalized twice and in a rehab facility twice is being charged by both facilities for services rendered. It was explained to facility #2 that this person has an outstanding remittance from facility #1.
    They were told that they facility #2 would contact SS to have his SS check sent to facility #2. Incidentally facility #1 has applied to Medicaid for payment which has not been resolved as yet. Does facility #2 have the right to claim his monthly check while he is still in the facility receiving therapy?

    • Sue

      Hi, Laura. Thanks for your question. To learn more about our Representative Payee program, please review our webpage. The facility would need to apply to become the patient’s representative payee, and we only appoint payees for minor children or adults who are unable to manage their benefits. We hope this helps.

  9. Donald A.

    I have been unable to access my social security account via internet. I have been assisted by reps from both local and national levels without success. I believe it to be a program problem. Please have someone from your IT department contact me.

    • Sue

      Hi Donald, thanks for using our blog. We’re sorry to hear about the difficulties you’re experiencing. For privacy reasons, we do not direct message. However, you can call our my Social Security Help Desk at 1-800-772-1213 Monday-Friday, 8 am-7pm. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”. Our call volume and wait times are greater than normal, so please be patient. Thanks!

  10. Lisa K.

    Hello,

    If a person dies and was waiting SSDI payments to start. Who receives the back payment that they were eligible for prior to the date of death. The person is married but does not have children and the spouse is under age 62.

    • Vonda

      Hi Lisa, thanks for using our blog. If there is an underpayment payable on an individual’s record, we may pay it to a family member or legal representative of the estate. For more information on the order of preference and to file a claim for the amounts due in the case of a deceased beneficiary, please visit our webpage titled: Claim For Amounts Due In The Case Of Deceased Beneficiary. The surviving spouse should 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.

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