General

You Don’t Need A Magic 8 Ball To Find The Answers To Your Questions

February 16, 2016 • By

Reading Time: 1 Minute

Last Updated: August 19, 2021

picture of an 8 ballSometimes, finding answers to your questions on government websites can feel a lot like asking questions of a Magic 8 Ball™. That’s not the case with Social Security’s frequently asked questions.

In 2015, Social Security won the “ClearMark Award of Distinction” for best plain language websites and documents from the Center for Plain Language for our redesigned Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) website. We continue to improve our communications to provide you with clear, helpful information and easy access to our services.

We recently narrowed down our FAQs from more than 500 to less than 200. The newly revised FAQs are more clear and concise. You come to our website for immediate answers, not a long drawn out experience. We’re all busy, right?

Social Security wants our online content and our communications with you to be accurate and easily accessible. We want you to locate the information you’re looking for faster than a magician could wave his wand. We are constantly searching for ways to improve navigation throughout our online presence and use feedback from your comments and suggestions when making changes to our website.

Visit our new FAQ home page to find the answer to your question. We promise that with our award-winning site, you won’t get the result reply hazy, try again later. When it comes to getting an answer, you’ll find out that your outlook is good.

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About the Author

Doug Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Deputy Commissioner, Office of Communications

Comments

  1. Lillian L.

    I ONLY WANTED TO FIND OUT HOW LONG IT TAKES TO GET A NEW SOCIAL SECURITY CARD WHEN ONE HAS FALLEN APART FROM USE.

    LILLIAN LENNIIE THANK YOU
    gramamarietx9@gmail.com

    • Ray F.

      Hello Lillian. Typically, after we receive your application, verify your documents and process your request, you should receive your replacement Social Security card by mail within 10 business days.
      To see if you’re eligible to apply for a replacement Social Security card online or to learn more on the process and what documents you will need to get a card, please visit our “Social Security Number and Card” web page. Thanks!

  2. mike d.

    i took ss at the age of 62 and my wife is going to wait till at least 67. she makes way more money then me but if she passes away at say 70 can i start getting her check and drop mine?

  3. Casey

    I have made 20,000 this year can I still get ssid at age of 63. Eshoical cancer

  4. Paul A.

    I Paul A Casares would like to know how to get my social security deposit to my netspent debit card i just got it activated today..
    THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME…

  5. Fred K.

    I am an administrator of a company health plan. Our employee count has gone below 20 and we are required to enroll 5 of our covered employees with part (B) coverage. All 5 have part (A) Can I drop all the forms for coverage at my local office ? Do I need each employee make a trip to a local office to apply? I have all the forms completed and signed. My local office is in the Bronx NY 10462. If I have to go to the local office can I make an appointment? How do I do that?

  6. Robin E.

    I’m trying to reply for Medicare only. I’m not retiring. I filled out the initial form yesterday, and now when I try to pull it up, it’s asking for an Activation Code. I don’t remember seeing anything about that. Can you help?

  7. Tommie R.

    Can a person with felonies on there arrest record become a payee representative for someone on Social Security

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Tommie. Generally speaking, if we decide the beneficiary is incapable of managing or directing the management of his or her benefits, we will select someone to serve as his or her representative payee. We try to select someone who knows you and wants to help you. Our main concern is that your payee is someone who can see you often and knows what you need. For that reason, if you live with someone who helps you, we usually select that person to be your payee. In most cases, someone who knows you asks us if he/she can be your payee. It may be a family member, a friend, a legal guardian or a lawyer. In some cases social service agencies, nursing homes or other organizations offer to serve as payees.

      See our Representative Payee webpage for additional information.

  8. Randy J.

    How do I file for Restricted Applications for Spousal Benefits for my social security benefits?

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Randy, thank you for using our blog. See our Frequently Asked Questions on restricting an application for benefits. When you are ready to file, the easiest and quickest way to apply is online.

  9. Debra A.

    why did i stop getting my ssi check on my card,it comes in the mail this is the second time

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Debra. Sorry to hear you are having issues with your electronic payments. For your security, we do not have access to your information in this venue.

      For assistance, please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Representatives are available between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday or contact your local Social Security office.

      For help regarding Direct Express, please contact 1-888-741-1115.

  10. Carol P.

    I applied for my social security benefits August 1, 2018.By the seventh they were approved. I filed for spousal benefits at the same time and it says it is still processing. I would gladly send them any information they might need, but I’m hearing nothing but “processing”. What does this mean?

    • Ray F.

      Hello Carol, it means that we’re still working on it. Depending on the information you provided, we may need more information. For security reasons we do not have access to personal records in this blog and cannot provide specifics. One of our representatives should be able to provide you with a better explanation. Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day or later in the week. Thanks.

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