Social Security’s Commitment to Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: May 11, 2023
During the month of May, we observe Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific
Islander Heritage Month (AANHPIHM) Heritage Month in the United States. We celebrate the accomplishments of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders and the countless ways they enrich our nation. Like America, AA and NHPI communities draw strength from the diversity of its distinct cultures—each with its own vibrant history and range of perspectives.
I am Andy Liu and I serve as the Social Security Administration’s General Counsel. As a Chinese American and member of the AA and NHPI community, I understand the many challenges and needs of our community. I joined Social Security for its mission – delivering Social Security services that meet the changing needs of the American public. This mission is not complete unless we reach everyone entitled to receive our services.
Social Security treats all people equally, and doing so requires that we recognize the importance of understanding the unique challenges, specific needs, and concerns that some AA and NHPI community members face in communicating with us and accessing the services we offer. From providing free interpreter services to offering our publications in Chinese, Hmong, Korean, Tagalog, and Vietnamese, we strive to make our services and programs equally accessible to Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. We proudly employ about 1,700 bilingual AA and NHPI employees in our field offices and call centers. We also conduct ongoing research and work with national, state, and local organizations to ensure AA and NHPIs have full access to our programs and services.
As Christopher Kang explained in his blog post celebrating the Lunar New Year, the reality is that far too many Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders are not aware of these resources. You can help us further Social Security’s mission by spreading the word among your colleagues, members, and networks about our online resources.
Social Security is committed to the White House AA and NHPI Initiative. You can visit our Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders page for more information.
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About the Author
Andy Liu, Social Security Administration's General Counsel
Andy Liu, Social Security Administration's General Counsel
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Shawn M.
The social security administration does not treat people equally. Google Shawn McMurray Gulf War Vet and read the story. Judge is biased and discriminatory against Navy Vets.I was in a very bad motorcycle accident not of my fault I had a 30 percent chance to live. My wife transferred my medical records from the trauma hospital to the VA.The VA takes care of my acaccident injuries. Judge is very uneducated. He belittled my service and what does the Gulf War 25 years ago have to do with me being hit by a truck in 2012. He went through my millitary records and pulled something out that happened 25 years ago and denied me.I already proved it!!!!..
Marie
In addition to what you have paid into the system, remember that wherever you are employed and SS Tax is taken from your pay your employer is matching that. They have no choice in this either. So SS is receiving double every time a SS Tax is sent to them. If you are a small business that say employs 10 people and at the end of the week when everyone gets paid and say each person contributes $15. That is $150.00 so therefore, SS receives $300.00. Something to think about!
Alice M.
I agree with Ken and Susa. I did not work for 25 years while raising my children, came back at 50 to work again. I just retired from my job at 87 because every year I worked after getting SS added to my benefits. But I DID NOT GET ANYTHING I HAD NOT EARNED. However, I honestly do not know if the payments aliens get when they come to this country are actually getting from SS or another fund. If from SS that is really FRAUD.
Kathy
My ex-husband didn’t work full-time since we divorced. He applied for Social Security and without adding anything to it, he still received SSI, health care and help with his rent. Where did that money come from? From people that paid into SS and the government gave to someone who did not deserve it!
Lex R.
There is a sicial security crisis in Indonesia now! All banks stopped cashing social security checks. The Manila ss office does not seem able to set up direct deposit. People on social security including children went to zero income. After trying for weeks no one in social security has emailed or called to tell me what they are doing or offer advice or provide an update. The social security office is stomped. They have no person or direction to investigate the problem. If you can not solve the problem then at least add Indonesia to the countries which can not receive social security benifits.
C W.
I do not care if it is SSI, SS,SSDI, welfare, rent subsidies,food stamps,cell phone give aways, whatever! We need to stop encouraging people that can not and will not work from coming to America. If you can pay your own way, and become a contributing AMERICAN not Asian American, Hispanic American, Pacific Islander American, African American etc. then come in by all means and contribute. My sister worked with a Dr. yes, a Dr. who brought her Mother over from China and guess what….immediately got on the dole(system). Never paid a dime, no intention to either. Just came over to live with her Dr. daughter and voila…..welfare recipient. We can not afford to do this, there are too many lazy Americans trying to get the same funds the foreigners are, and although I think all should have to work and contribute, I would rather see a lazy American get the money than someone who comes here for the soul purpose of getting the generosity of the American people lining their pockets.
tony
The majority of the people collecting SS, SSI, SSDI and welfare are white. They learn about these stuff from the white Americans.
They just can’t come to the United States and collect welfare. They need to be Citizens or permanent residents.
Your just a racist by saying not the other types of Americans.
Daniel D.
All have valid points. First stop the SS money from going into the general fund. Then I will start to believe that change can happen. Next increase the income cap to about $250,000 which should stabilize the fund for now. There other changes that can and should be made, we have at least 5 other programs drawing off funds from the SS Fund and this was never meant to be. Just one check per person who qualified that’s it.
Now we have programs coming that are actually redundant with other government social programs and there is no check and balances so individuals can receive help (money, Utility bills, food stamps, rent, heath, vehicle maintenance, etc.) plus funds from SS.
these type of programs DO NOT know who is getting what. So if your benefits are more then someone trying to make it on a labor job just what is my incentive to get off said programs. Incentives please!!
Marc
False, false, false. All of you people making your angry little claims but not one of them is true, and not one of you has ever looked to the source for verification – the US government official site – before you post your childish little rants.
W. L.
The entitlements available in the SSA System should be based on payments of those individuals who pay into the system. It is criminal to allow payments to individuals who have not made the contributions. I resent that our government can control the distributions of these funds to individuals who have not paid their fair share. Individuals in government who use their power and position to mis-use these dedicated funds should have their incomes garnished to cover these indiscriminate decisions they have made for political reasons. The justice department or perhaps an outside legal group versed in government crime should investigate the allocation of Social Security Funds. How can Congressional Members vote and accept pay raises when we have no increase in benefits? The criteria or criterion used for determining inflatable costs considerations for retired individuals is shamefully igornant of those expenses confronting each senior. I deserve the best medical expertise, facilities, and medications comparable to the medical expectations of any Senator or House of Representative Member. Explain to all of us why many Doctors no longer accept Medicare patients? Do we not have equal needs for competent Drs” and the best meds possible? Let’s eliminate the elements of stress for Seniors so that we can enjoy the few remaining years we have to live in a wonderful country.
Marc
Fewer doctors accept Medicare because Republican Congress members like Paul Ryan, who is STILL sponsoring a bill to GET RID OF Medicare keep CUTTING the amounts they are paid! Example, a doctor who charges $78 for an office visit is paid $12 – that’s TWELVE DOLLARS – IF it’s considered a covered expense. Do you work for free? Stop voting for these Congress persons who think Medicare and Social Security are “handouts” and who want to end them, cut them, gut them, and who shame and stigmatize anyone who receives these and other government benefits.
John O.
One thing that is bothersome though is special months and weeks for some ethnic minority. And then to be told that SS treats, and the government to a greater extent, everyone equally. The very fact that there are special times set aside for some and not others demonstrates unequal treatment. And this gets me to this one point, why all the celebration over diversity, and excluding some when we are all supposed to be Americans, part of one big melting pot? This post was another in a series of useless posts.
Carrie
We covl’due done with that insight early on.
Linda M.
OOPS, look at the very bottom of the page, it says paid for by taxpayers expense. Wow that says it all!!!!
John O.
For once we come together and agree, what a waste of money.
Marc
So you don’t think the US government should use the same technology that every other living human and organization uses, eg, the Internet, in order to reach every citizen with all the information they may need? No, you’d prefer to complain about how you can never get answers because you have to wait on hold on the phone for so long. There is no pleasing spoiled, greedy, selfish Americans.
Anitra
Created the greatest artelcis, you have.