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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. Imtiaz A.

    My Mother gets Medicare and Medicaid. She is 84 plus and stays at my home. She is not capable of independent living. I am her caregiver. How can I get paid for helping her with activities of daily Living?

    • V.V.

      Thanks for your question, Imtiaz. We do not pay caregivers. However, you may be eligible to receive social services from the state in which you live. These services include free meals, housekeeping help, transportation, or help with other problems. You can get information about services in your area from your state or local social services office. You can also visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services web page for more information. Thanks.

  2. Franklin â.

    Is there any way beside my social security I can find info about my back pay ?

  3. Belle

    Are disability reviews still suspended or am I required to complete the phone interview a rep from social security is trying to schedule?

  4. Soniya

    Thanks, for sharing the informative information. The content in this article is really good and helpful for us.

  5. Angela J.

    I may be getting an inheritance soon, and before that comes about, I am wondering about liability to my survivors benefits. My husband who passed away was on SSDI. Can you advise me? Will this count as income?

    • V.V.

      Hi Angela, thank you for your question. An inheritance does not affect or reduce Social Security retirement, survivors or disability benefits. However, if you’re receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), an inheritance is considered unearned income and it must be reported to us. To learn more about SSI and how income affects your payment, check out our publication What You Need to Know When You Get Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

  6. Andrew D.

    for 2 years I have tried to Change my direct deposit on an irregular basis. Mostly due to the aggravation of endless recorded messages, and crappy phone service.

    I have not been able to log in to my account and I, as in ME PERSONALLY have not changed my login information.

    When i try the ‘lost password’ option I discover there is no record of me.

    Today, 10/20/2020 I have wasted over two hours with the loudest music(?) available. turning down the volume requires extremely quick fingers to turn up the volume instantly.

    My earlier attempt, where an actual live person answered, the static on your end was overwhelming and the spoken messages were garbled.

    Finally, after 41 minutes my call was answered.
    I was told to call back due to the static. II tried to explain to the nice lady that she needed to call me back to which she replied, “Thank You for Calling Social Security” and hung up.

    currently I am into minute 47 of an expected 1 hour 45 minutes wait time.

    And all i want is a password reset!

    • V.V.

      Hi Andrew, we are very sorry to hear about the difficulties you are experiencing. If the password reset questions aren’t working for you, you can call 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.

  7. Ron h.

    I’m receiving SSDI ( Disability ) $ now at age 60, will my amount change when hitting 65 ?

    • V.V.

      Hi Ron, thanks for using our blog to ask your question. When you receive disability benefits under the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program, we will automatically convert your disability benefits to retirement benefits when you attain your Full Retirement Age. The benefit amount will generally remain the same. We hope this helps!

  8. Lori L.

    Is it true that someone on disability can work a minimal amount of hours to help make ends meet?

    • V.V.

      Hi Lori, thank you for your question. Social Security has special rules that make it possible for people with disabilities receiving Social Security Disability (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to work and still receive monthly payments. These are called work incentives.

      For SSDI beneficiaries, there is a Trial Work Period (TWP) and then an Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE). The TWP allows you to test your ability to work for at least 9 months. During this period, you will receive your full disability benefit regardless of how much you earn as long as your work activity is reported and you continue to have a disabling impairment. In 2020, any month in which earnings exceed $910 is considered a month of the 9-month trial work period.

      Once you’ve completed your TWP, you get a 36-month safety net called the EPE. During the EPE, you get benefits for all months your earnings or work activities are below the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level as long as you continue to have a disabling impairment. Social Security will suspend cash benefits for months earnings are over SGA and start benefits again if earnings fall below the SGA level. In 2020, you are earning SGA if your earnings, after any allowable deductions, are more than $1,260 in a month.

      Check out Social Security’s Red Book for descriptions of the many work incentives.

  9. James W.

    I was supposed to receive a payment from my 2019 tax return of $4009.00. It has not yet yet been sent to my bank account.

    • V.V.

      Hi James, thanks for using our blog. For taxation inquiries, please contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at http://www.irs.gov or by calling their toll-free number at 1-800-829-1040. Thanks!

  10. Jerry H.

    were social security checks deposited to accounts for the 15 of this month my wifes did not post

    • V.V.

      Hi Jerry, thanks for using our blog. If your wife did not receive her Social Security or SSI benefit, tell her to contact her bank or financial institution first. They may be able to determine if her direct deposit failed. If she still needs to report a late, missing or stolen Social Security payment, call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or she can contact her 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.

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