Getting Help By Phone
If you are unable to use online services or want to speak directly to a Social Security representative, call the SSAs national customer service number at 800-772-1213 or call your local field office. You can apply for any type of benefit by phone, including survivor benefits and SSI.
The national phone line is staffed by live agents from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time on weekdays except for federal holidays. Outside those hours, you may be able to find what youre looking for using the SSAs automated phone service.
Field offices are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. Enter your zip code into the SSAs field office locator to find the phone number for your nearest facility.
Wait times on calls to the national 800 number have fluctuated widely during the pandemic, rising sharply in the early weeks of the outbreak as field offices closed to visitors, then declining as the SSA outfitted more call center staff with tools to handle calls remotely. Hold times have spiked again in recent months as the agency implements an upgrade to the phone system, with waits averaging 32 minutes in February.
The SSA says customers may also experience busy signals or unintentional disconnects as it works through the technical issues and recommends calling when they system is typically less busy:
- Between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.
- Between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
- Later in the week .
- Toward the end of the month.
Will Joe Biden’s Social Security Administration Budget Pass
In the 2023 proposed fiscal-year budget, President Joe Biden’s administration is attempting to allocate about $14.8 billion to the Social Security Administration , which oversees the Social Security program for nearly 70 million Americans. That would be a $1.8 billion increase, or nearly 14%, from the SSA’s budget in fiscal year 2022.
But the president’s budget proposal is really just the beginning of the budget process. Before the budget can get approved, both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives will need to review and approve their own versions of the budget and then merge them into one.
Needless to say, a lot can change during this time, so how likely is Biden’s proposed 14% increase for the SSA to get approved?
Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefits
The Canada Pension Plan provides monthly payments to people who contribute to the plan during their working years.
You may be eligible for CPP disability benefits if:
- you contributed to the CPP for a certain number of years
- you’re under 65 years old
- you have a severe and prolonged mental or physical disability
- your disability prevents you from working on a regular basis
The benefits include payments to children of a person with a disability.
Apply as early as possible if you think you’re eligible for CPP disability benefits. Quebec residents may be eligible for a similar program called the Quebec Pension Plan . It may take several months to process your application.
If you applied for CPP or QPP disability benefits and were told that you’re not eligible, you can ask to have your application reviewed or considered again.
Once you reach age 65, your CPP disability benefit will automatically change to regular CPP payments. Your regular CPP payments may be less than the CPP disability payments you got before.
If so, consider:
Read Also: How To Apply For Social Security Disability In Ct
What Do I Need To Know About Advance Designation
You should be aware of another type of representation called .
Advance Designation allows capable adult and emancipated minors who are applying for or receiving Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income, or Special Veterans Benefits the option to choose up to three people in advance who could serve as their representative payee, if the need arises.
In the event that you can no longer manage your benefits, you and your family will have peace of mind knowing that someone you trust may be appointed to manage your benefits for you. If you need a representative payee to assist with the management of your benefits, we will first consider your advance designees. We must still fully evaluate them and determine their suitability at that time.
You can submit and update your advance designation request when you apply for benefits or after you are already receiving benefits. You may do so through your personal account, contacting us by telephone at 1-800-772-1213 , or at .
The Disability Application Process
Whether you apply online, by phone, or in person, the disability benefits application process follows these general steps:
- You gather the information and documents you need to apply. We recommend you print and review the . It will help you gather the information and documents you need to complete the application.
- You complete and submit your application.
- We review your application to make sure you meet our for disability benefits.
- We confirm you worked enough years to qualify.
- We evaluate any current work activities.
- We process your application and forward your case to the Disability Determination Services office in your state.
- This state agency makes the disability determination decision.
To learn more about who decides if you have a disability, read our publication .
Once You’ve Applied
Once we receive your application, well review it and contact you if we have questions. We might request additional documents from you before we can proceed.
Look For Our Response
When the state agency makes a determination on your case, youll receive a letter in the mail with our decision. If you included information about other family members when you applied, well let you know if they may be able to receive benefits on your record.
Check The Status
You can check the status of your application online using your personal mySocial Security account. If you are unable to check your status online, you can call us 1-800-772-1213 from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Don’t Miss: Do You Have To Claim Disability On Taxes
When Will I Know What My Social Security Benefits Are For 2023
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is scheduled to announce inflation data for September on Oct. 13, and the Social Security Administration typically announces the cost-of-living adjustment issues soon after — in some cases on the same day.
Beneficiaries should then receive letters detailing their specific benefit rate. If you miss this letter, you can still verify your increase online via the My Social Security website. The COLA goes into effect with December benefits, which appear in checks received in January 2023.
How To Get Help
While Social Security offices remain closed, most services are available through the agencys website, by telephone , or via limited in-person appointments. You can find the office closest to you with an online locator tool. More information on dealing with Social Security during the pandemic is available on its website.
If youre dealing with Social Security by phone, be cautious. The number of Social Security identity phone scams has been rising. The agency generally only contacts people who have recently applied for benefits, or to update the records of those who are receiving benefits. The agency will never call to tell you that your Social Security number has been suspended or to demand payments or ask for credit card information.
If you need to enroll in Medicare, free counseling is available from the national network of State Health Insurance Assistance Programs, known as SHIP. More information is available on its website.
The nonprofit group Medicare Rights Center runs a free national Medicare help line, which can be reached at 333-4114. The center also offers useful tips on enrolling in Medicare during the pandemic.
You May Like: Is Pregnancy A Short Term Disability
What Is A Medically Determinable Impairment
A medically determinable physical or mental impairment is an impairment that results from anatomical, physiological, or psychological abnormalities which can be shown by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques. A physical or mental impairment must be established by medical evidence consisting of signs, symptoms, and laboratory findings — not only by the individual’s statement of symptoms.
How Much Will Social Security Benefits Increase In 2023
The Social Security Administration won’t disclose the 2023 cost-of-living adjustment until October, but many experts expect an even larger increase than in 2022.
Predictions have fluctuated greatly: In June, the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimated Social Security benefits would increase as much as 10.8% to account for inflation, or almost $180 extra in monthly benefits. The following month, Marc Goldwein, the organization’s senior policy director, tweeted that if inflation remained on its then-current trajectory, the increase would be 11.4% — even higher than the record 11.2% increase in 1981.
Richard Johnson, director of the retirement policy program at the Urban Institute, told AARP on Aug. 10 that “somewhere in the 9% range is probably a reasonable guess.”
A 9% cost-of-living adjustment to Social Security in 2023 would add about $150 to monthly checks, on average, or an additional $1,800 a year. And Munnell said it’s “highly likely” that benefits would increase by more than that.
Last month, the Senior Citizens League foresaw a 9.6% COLA in 2023. With August’s inflation data in, though, the organization has revised its prediction to a more conservative 8.7%.
The average Social Security benefit is $1,657 per month — if the 8.7% bump is correct, that would work out to an increase of about $144 a month.
The measure hasn’t moved forward since it was introduced in June, however.
Don’t Miss: Can You Get Disability For Migraines
Contact The Social Security Administration By Visiting Your Local Office
You can also simply find out where your local SSA office is. Visit in person to have your questions or concerns addressed. You can find out where your local office is by using the Social Security Administrations Social Security Office Locator. All you need to do is type in your zip code and the nearest office will be pulled up.
If you need to contact the SSA, you have four options for doing so. These are calling, emailing, writing, or visiting in person. Be sure to contact us for more advice regarding Social Security benefits. You can call to set up a free consultation today, and you can also take advantage of our LiveChat feature.
This is attorney advertising. SSDA, LLC is a group of attorneys that pursues claims for Social Security Disability benefits on behalf of its clients against the Social Security Administration. SSDA, LLC is in no way a part of the Social Security Administration. Further, the information on this blog is for general information purposes only. Nothing herein should be taken as legal advice. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, a representative-client relationship.
Work Incentive Seminar Event Inquiries
If you have questions about a WISE webinar you may call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET or email .
If you have questions about a WISE webinar you may call the Ticket to Work Help Line at / Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET or email .
Don’t Miss: What Qualifies As An Ada Disability
For Individuals Who Only Receive Ssp Benefits:
If you receive only SSP benefits, you will report your changes directly to NYS SSP.
Examples of changes that must be reported include, but are not limited to:
- Change of residence and/or mailing address
- Improvement of a disability
- Income or employment changes
- Change in countable resources that exceed $2000 for an individual, or $3000 for an SSI/SSP couple
- Change in living arrangement or household composition, including the death of a household member or changes to who is living in the household. Please note that a change in who is in the household must be reported even if your address has not changed.
The changes listed above must be reported to NYS SSP within ten calendar days of the date of the change.
You should also tell NYS SSP about the following changes as soon as you know about them:
- Changes in bank account information
- Changes in your payee
- Changes in who you wish to allow to receive information about your benefits
For Individuals Who Receive Both Ssi And Ssp Benefits:
If you receive both SSI and SSP benefits, you will report your changes to SSA.
Examples of changes that must be reported include, but are not limited to:
- Change of residence and/or mailing address
- Change in countable resources that exceed $2000 for an individual or $3000 for an SSI/SSP couple
- Changes in bank account information
- Changes in your payee
- Changes in who you wish to allow to receive information about your benefits
NOTE: You must report any change in your State Living Arrangement directly to NYS SSP, not to the SSA.
A change in living arrangement must be reported to NYS SSP within ten days of the date of the change. Please note that a change in who is in the household must be reported even if your address has not changed. The death of a household member, or changes to who is living in the household are living arrangement changes that must be reported.
Don’t Miss: How Much Can You Earn While On Social Security Disability
How You Receive Benefits
If you receive both SSI and SSP benefits, you will receive your SSP benefits the same way you chose to receive your SSI benefit.
If you receive SSP benefits but do not receive SSI benefits, you can choose how to receive your benefits. We strongly encourage you to receive benefits through direct deposit, which is safe, fast and convenient.
If you currently have a representative payee for your SSI benefits, that person will also manage your SSP benefits. If you want to change your representative payee, you must contact SSA. If you receive SSP but do not receive SSI benefits, you can assign or change a payee by calling SSP at 1-855-488-0541.
What Kind Of Social Security Disability Benefits Are Available To Louisiana Citizens Who Can Get Disability Benefits Under The Social Security Administration
The Social Security Act provides benefits to disabled individuals under Title II and Title XVI .
Under Title II there are three basic categories of individuals who can qualify for benefits on the basis of disability:
- A disabled insured worker under 65.
- A person disabled since childhood who is a dependent of a deceased insured parent or parent entitled to Title II disability or retirement benefits.
- A disabled widow or widower age 50-60 if the deceased spouse was insured under Social Security.
Under Title XVI there are two basic categories under which a financially needy person with limited income and resources can get payments on the basis of disability:
- An adult age 18 or over who is disabled.
- A child under 18 who is disabled.
Read Also: How To Qualify For Disability In Missouri
Apply For Benefits Online
You should apply for disability benefits as soon as you develop a disability. Follow these easy steps to apply online for disability:
- To start your application, go to our Apply for Benefits page, and read and agree to the Terms of Service. Click Next.
- On that page, review the Getting Ready section to make sure you have the information you need to apply.
- Select Start A New Application.
- We will ask a few questions about who is filling out the application.
- You will then sign in to your personal mySocial Security account, or you will be prompted to create one.
- Complete the application.
You can use the online application to apply for disability benefits if you:
- Are age 18 or older.
- Are not currently receiving benefits on your own Social Security record.
- Are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
- Have not been denied for disability in the last 60 days.
Note: If your application was recently denied, our application is a starting point to request a review of the determination we made.
You may be able to file online for SSI at the same time that you file for SSDI benefits. Once you complete the online process described above, a Social Security representative will contact you if we need additional information.
Can I Get Social Security Disability If I Used To Work As A Customer Service Representative
Disability Benefits for Customer Service Representatives
From those who take calls and assist customers from a call center to workers who walk the aisles of major department stores making sure that guests needs are attended to, there are a wide variety of people who work as customer service representatives. In fact, customer service representative is one of the most common occupations in the United States.
While the exact duties and responsibilities expected of customer service representatives may be very different from one job to the next, all customer service representative jobs include taking care of the immediate needs of the employers clientele.
Currently, there are more than two and a quarter million customer service representatives working in the USA and that number is expected to increase slowly but steadily over the next 10 years. Those seeking employment as customer service representatives have an excellent opportunity to find work, as there are generally more job openings that there are people competing for the jobs.
Depending on what company you work for and what exactly your duties include, customer service representatives may be considered sedentary workers, or may be considered to fall into any of the categories of physical work . For example, a customer service representative at a lumber yard may be performing moderate or even heavy physical work, while a customer representative working in a call center is likely performing sedentary work.
Also Check: Are National Guard Members Considered Veterans