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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. Dennis F.

    I’m getting 1212.00 monthly from social security. I live in Michigan. My wife is not working. Can I apply for the social security supplement check?

  2. Joanne P.

    I will be tuning 70 on Nov 28, 2020. I am currently on currently on Spousal Social Security the 3rd Wednesday of each month.
    Questions:
    I would like to know what amount my own benefit would be including the (DRCs – delayed retirement credits) from ages 66- 70.

    If the amount is larger than what I am receiving, Do I have to come in person to the Social Security Office in Freeport NY to implement this change in December 2020 ? Or can I do this over the phone
    or online. Phone: 516-791-6176

  3. Erica J.

    Am I going to get $ 500 stimulus cheek for my repent this month.were bolth on disability.and I’m single one parent house hold

  4. Brian B.

    I’ve been waiting since June, when I was approved for SSDI, to receive my back pay that goes back to November of 2018. My attorney has already been paid and my file was cleared as of 9/29/00. I am facing severely difficult financial times right now and I really need my money to pay rent and buy food. Please help me, I’m begging you.

    • Brian B.

      As of today it’s now been 116 days since my approval. I am still waiting for my retro check that goes back to November of 2018. I’m disabled and cannot work so I have no way to pay my bills or even put food in my refrigerator. I’m begging for help… begging for what is owed to me. My life is coming undone at the seams. Please help me.

    • V.V.

      For your security, Brian, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance 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.

      • Brian B.

        I’ve been in contact with people on that number and my local office. Nobody has done anything to help me. My lawyer has already been paid. I’m in dire need of the money I’m entitled to. Please please help me.

  5. Rose M.

    On May/21/,2020 I wrote requesting forms to designate
    advance person to receive my benefits when I die. I received reply requesting my SSclaim # on June 30/2020. I sent itJuly//2020 and have not received the forms as yet (10/9/2020). My SSClaim # is 525-5-2544A
    My address is: Rose Marie Netzer
    501 Old Mill Creek Drive
    Waco, Texas 7612-6450

    Thank You>

    • V.V.

      Hi Rose. Thank you for using our blog. Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions web page on the ways to submit or change Advance Designation. We hope this helps.

  6. Haynes A.

    Has the Social Security raise for 2021 been determined yet?

    • V.V.

      Thanks for your question, Haynes. We will not know if there will be a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2021, and if so the amount of the COLA, until the Department of Labor releases information on inflation for the past year. For the latest news and updates on Social Security, please check out our Cost-Of-Living Adjustment information page.

  7. Sam S.

    1. I’ve just recieved a medicare card (coverage), and now residing overseas (in Thailand). does the medicare cover medical costs/expenses incurred overseas ? If so, how to proceed to get coverage? Are medical expesnes reimbursable, how and how much is it up to.
    2. My is my wife, who is “Thai”, 56 years oldnow and we have been married for 31 years in Thailand, having a son (30) and a daughter (22), qualified to be “a surviving spouse”, when I die; how can she become my beneficiary and continuing recieving my retirement benefits. Her English is not proficient.

    • V.V.

      Hi Sam, thanks for using our blog. Medicare generally does not cover health services while you are outside the United States. Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands are considered part of the United States. To learn more about Medicare coverage outside of the United States, check out our publication “Your Payments While Outside the United States“.

      For information on widow(er)s benefits, check out our Survivors Planner for details.

      We recommend that individuals living outside the United States contact the nearest Federal Benefit Unit in the area for any assistance related to Social Security programs and benefits. Also, our Office of International Operations home page provides more information to assist our customers living abroad.

  8. Robert L.

    Under what contract theory can an government establish a retirement age and then move it on a person who has relied on that retirement age. I can see that the age of full retirement could be moved on a new entry (citizen) to the ss system. But I was over 40 when you moved the goal post. That cost me money since I have been forced to retire. What is your legal theory for that? Particularly since the Constitution prohibits the “impairment of contracts”?

  9. Nancy a.

    I will like to change my address because I moved.

    • V.V.

      Hi Nancy, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to change your address. We hope this helps!

  10. Joan M.

    Has there been any change in the Government Pension Offset?

    • V.V.

      Hi Joan, thanks for your question. A non-covered pension, a pension based on work that is not covered by Social Security (for example, Federal civil service and some State or local government agencies such as police officers and some teachers), may cause the amount of your Social Security benefit to be reduced. Your benefit can be reduced based on one of two provisions: The Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision.

      Check out our Information for Government Employees web page for details.

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