~ Social Security News ~

 

Social Security’s Online Services Take Top Three Spots in Customer Satisfaction Survey

 

   Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, today announced that the agency’s online services continue to be the best in government and exceed the top private sector sites in customer satisfaction.  In the latest results from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), Social Security’s online Retirement Estimator and benefit application remain in the top spots, each with a score of 90, and the Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs application placed third with a score of 87.

   “Online services are vital to good public service and I am pleased that Social Security continues to provide the best in both government and the private sector,” Commissioner Astrue said.  “The Internet provides the public with the ability to conduct business at their convenience and at their own pace, without the need to take leave from work, travel to a field office, and wait to meet with an agency representative.  It also reduces the time spent by our employees processing claims and frees them up to spend more time handling complex cases.”

   Social Security’s three top-rated online services also meet or exceed the private sector’s highest score, Netflix, with a score of 87.  The ACSI notes that this shows “that government sites can satisfy visitors just as well as, or even better than, private-sector sites.”

   The ACSI is the only uniform, national, cross-industry measure of satisfaction with the quality of goods and services available in the U.S.  According to ACSI, “Any website, whether in the private or public sector, that scores an average of 80 or higher can be considered superior in meeting site visitors’ needs and expectations.”  Social Security’s Business Services Online, with a score of 82, also meets this superior threshold.

   To view all of Social Security’s online services, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/onlineservices.

 

 

Social Security Helps States with Mounting Disability Claims

 

   Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, today announced that the agency’s first Extended Service Team (EST) is open for business in Little Rock, Arkansas. The Little Rock EST will make disability decisions for state Disability Determinations Services (DDSs) that are most adversely affected by the flood of new initial disability claims resulting from the economic downturn and from counterproductive furloughs of employees at the state level. Later this year, Social Security will open additional ESTs in Madison, Mississippi; Roanoke, Virginia; and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The ESTs are in states that have a history of high quality and productivity, as well as the capacity to hire and train significant numbers of additional employees.

   “The strategy behind ESTs builds on our success with National Hearing Centers, where cases are handled electronically from all over the country,” Commissioner Astrue said. “These centralized units have reduced the hearings backlog and improved processing times at some of the hardest-hit hearing offices. This approach clearly works and extending it in this way can help us meet the challenge of unprecedented growth in our disability workloads.”

   Social Security expects to receive more than 3.3 million applications for disability benefits this fiscal year (FY), about 700,000 more than in FY 2008. In addition, more than a dozen states are furloughing federally-funded state workers who make disability decisions for Social Security. The combination of increased workloads and state furloughs has resulted in a growing backlog of initial disability applications in state DDSs.  

   “More Americans than ever are turning to us for help,” said Commissioner Astrue. “I am grateful that Governor Beebe bucked the trend and recognized the value of more of our federally-funded jobs in his state. The opening of the Arkansas EST and our other planned expansions in Mississippi, Virginia, and Oklahoma will significantly benefit disabled workers and their families as well as create new job opportunities to these states during difficult economic times.”

   For more information about Social Security’s strategy to address the unprecedented increase in disability benefit applications, go to:

www.socialsecurity.gov/legislation/testimony_111909.htm.

 

 

Social Security to Provide Helpful Health Care Information to Over 3 Million Disability Applicants Each Year

 

   Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, today announced the agency is providing helpful health care information and website links to the more than three million individuals who apply each year for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits. The website links take disability applicants to two U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) websites – www.healthfinder.gov where they will find information and tools to help them better understand and cope with their conditions; and www.healthfinder.gov/rxdrug where they may be able to get help paying for prescription drugs.

   “This year over three million Americans will apply for disability benefits. Whether they meet the statutory test and qualify for benefits or not, almost all of them are facing difficult economic and medical challenges. One of the advantages of our fully electronic system is that our notices can provide applicants with valuable information provided by HHS that might help them make good choices faster,” Commissioner Astrue said. “Twenty five years ago, I had the experience of filing for disability benefits on behalf of my seriously ill father. It would have been a blessing to have had easy access to this kind of important information.”

   The website at www.healthfinder.gov provides detailed information about specific diseases. For example, an applicant with breast cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, or other diseases can go to the site to gather information about diagnosis, symptoms, treatment, ongoing research, and local resources available to people with those diseases. The website at www.healthfinder.gov/rxdrug links people to the Partnership for Prescription Assistance, which directs people to information on reduced cost or free prescription drugs offered by drug companies, state and local governments, and local organizations.

   The helpful health care links also are available on Social Security’s website at www.socialsecurity.gov/applyfordisability.

 

 

 

Retirement Estimator Even Better Than Before

by Jeanne Tyler, Idaho Region Public Affairs Specialist, Social Security Administration, Boise, Idaho

 

   Improvements to one of the most popular online services in government — the Retirement Estimator, located at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator — allow more people than ever before to get a personalized and instant estimate of future Social Security retirement benefits. 

   Since its launch last year, the Retirement Estimator has provided more than four million personalized estimates, and is one of the most highly rated online services in government. 

   The most recent customer satisfaction numbers are at an all-time high. The latest report from the American Customer Satisfaction Index for E-Government ranks the Retirement Estimator as the top service at 91 percent.  It is followed closely by Social Security’s online retirement application, with a 90 percent customer satisfaction rating and the Medicare Extra Help application, with an 87 percent rating. These three Social Security services are the top three online services in government.

   You may be wondering: if the Retirement Estimator is the most popular online service in government, what can be done to improve it?

   One major improvement is that more people will be able to use it. Previously, people who had not yet filed for monthly Social Security benefits but who were already enrolled in Medicare were not able to take advantage of the service. Now they can. So if you have Medicare coverage but have delayed filing for your Social Security benefits and you would like to get an estimate of your future benefits, just visit www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator.

   Other improvements are coming soon. Next year, the Retirement Estimator will be the first online service available in Spanish.

   Would you like to get an immediate and personalized estimate of your retirement benefits right now? Visit www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator. To get an estimate, you’ll need to enter your first and last name, date and place of birth, Social Security number, and mother’s maiden name. If the information matches Social Security’s records, the Retirement Estimator combines this information with the information that Social Security has on record, including your yearly earnings, to provide a quick and reliable online benefit estimate.

While you’re checking out the most popular online service in government, try out some of our other online services and information as well. You can find it all at www.socialsecurity.gov.

 

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

 

GENERAL

 

Question: Is it true that there won’t be an increase in Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments in 2010?  How was that decided?

Answer: Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits will not automatically increase in 2010.  By law, benefits increase automatically each year only if there is an increase in the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) from the third quarter of the last year to the third quarter of the current year.  This year there was no increase in the CPI-W from the third quarter of 2008 to the third quarter of 2009.  However, President Obama has called on Congress to pass legislation extending an additional $250 economic recovery payment to beneficiaries.  To learn more, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/cola.

 

Question: I got an email that says it’s from Social Security, but I’m not so sure.  They want me to send in my Social Security number, date of birth, and mother’s maiden name for “verification.”  Did it really come from Social Security?

Answer: No.  Social Security will not send you an email asking you to give us your personal information, such as your Social Security number, date of birth, or other private information.  Beware of such scams — they’re after your information so they can use it for their own benefit.  When in doubt, or if you have any questions about correspondence you receive from Social Security, contact your local Social Security office or call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to see whether we really need any information from you. 

 

 

RETIREMENT

 

Question: I’m reaching my full retirement age and am thinking about retiring in the first quarter of next year.  When is the best time of year to apply for Social Security benefits?

Answer:  If you are planning to retire in early 2010, you can apply now and complete the process before the start of the busy holiday season.  Your monthly payments will then begin on time in 2010.  To apply, just go to www.socialsecurity.gov/applytoretire.  Applying online for retirement benefits from the convenience of your home or office is secure and can take as little as 15 minutes.  It’s so easy! 

 

Question: My wife and I live in Montana, but plan to spend the winter in Arizona.  My wife will turn 62 while we are down south.  Can she apply for benefits in Arizona, or do we have to wait until we get back home to apply for retirement at our local Social Security office?

Answer: These days, you don’t even have to be near a Social Security office to apply for benefits.  Regardless of where you and your wife are living, you can apply for retirement benefits online at www.socialsecurity.gov/applytoretire.  It’s so easy to do, and it can take as little as 15 minutes to complete and submit the application.  If she prefers, your wife can file a retirement benefit application at any Social Security office — including the one closest to you in Arizona, or wherever you happen to be.  You can also apply by phone by calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). 

 

 

DISABILITY

 

Question: I am about to apply for Social Security disability benefits.  I have two children, ages nine and 12.  If my application is approved, will they get benefits, too?  Or do the children also have to be disabled to qualify for benefits on my record?

Answer: If you qualify for Social Security disability benefits, your children may receive dependent’s benefits based on your work record, even if they’re not disabled themselves.  As long as you receive benefits, their benefits will continue until they reach age 18, or until age 19 if they are still in high school.  If your children are disabled, however, at the time that they reach age 18, they may be able to continue receiving benefits into adulthood.  For more information, visit our website on disability benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/disability.

 

 

Question: I am 59 years old and I currently receive Social Security disability benefits.  Can I still get my regular Social Security retirement benefits when I reach full retirement age?

Answer: If you are still receiving Social Security disability benefits when you reach your full retirement age, we will automatically switch you from disability benefits to retirement benefits at that point.  The money amount will remain the same — we will just classify you as a retiree instead of a person with a disability.  For more information, visit our website on disability benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/disability.

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME

 

Question: I’m 42 years old and have been approved to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits.  I was shocked to learn that my payment will be reduced because I live with my parents.  Why’s that?

Answer: SSI is a needs-based program, so any other income you receive — including non-monetary income such as help with your bills or other expenses — can have an effect on your benefit payment.  Your SSI payments may be reduced if you are receiving food, shelter, or monetary assistance.  If you move, or if the situation in your parents’ household changes, be sure to contact Social Security.  For more information, visit www.socialsecurity.gov or call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

 

Question: I am trying to save up for a station wagon.  I have $900 in the bank now and need a little more.  How much cash can I have in the bank without affecting my SSI eligibility?

Answer: The resource limit is $2,000.  Unless you have other valuable resources, this means you could save up to $2,000 before you would become ineligible for SSI.  We generally do not count your primary car, the home you live in or certain amounts set aside for burial expenses as resources.  In some cases, if the vehicle you’re saving for is part of a plan to return to work, you can have higher resources — but Social Security would need to approve your plan in order to exclude those resources.  For more information, you can visit our webpage about SSI at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssi.  Or you can call Social Security’s toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask for the publication, Supplemental Security Income.

 

 

 

MEDICARE

 

Question: I heard recently that it was open season for Medicare Part D enrollment.  Is there still time to apply?

Answer: Yes — but act fast, because open season ends soon!  If you’re a Medicare beneficiary who has not enrolled in the new Medicare Prescription Drug Program, you may do so during the open season, which begins November 15 and ends December 31.  If you are covered by Medicare and have limited income and resources, the extra help available through Social Security can help ease the burden of prescription drug costs.  You can apply for the extra help anytime — not just during open season.  To learn more about the extra help and to apply, visit Social Security’s website at www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp.  For Medicare Part D information, visit www.medicare.gov.