Last week, we discussed the possible ramifications of a federal government shutdown when it comes to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Because the shutdown is ongoing as we are writing this post, we want to reiterate that Social Security payments are considered “mandatory” and that payments are automatically authorized no matter what happens legislatively.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) issued a press release last week highlighting this fact. However, there will be some SSA services that will be slowed or temporarily halted. According to the SSA, offices will only provide assistance for the following:
- Helping you apply for benefits
- Assisting you in requesting an appeal
- Changing your address or direct deposit information
- Accepting reports of death
- Verifying or changing your citizenship status
- Replacing a lost or missing Social Security payment
- Issuing a critical payment
- Changing a representative payee
- Processing a change in your living arrangement or income (SSI recipients only)
The SSA said that it would not provide services for new or replacement Social Security cards, replacement Medicare cards, or proof of income letters. Unfortunately, SSA card centers will also be closed.
There is good news for people with an SSDI appeal: offices will remain open to conduct hearings before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).
Our hope is that by the time you read this post, the shutdown will be over. Again, we want to reiterate, if you already receive Social Security benefits, your payments should not be affected and if you have an ongoing appeal, you should not worry.
We will keep you posted on any ongoing news when it comes to the government shutdown and the SSA. If you are eligible for SSDI benefits, we suggest contacting a Tulsa Social Security Disability attorney. We offer free evaluations of your case, and you may reach us by phone at (918) 265-1404.
Troutman & Troutman, P.C. – Tulsa Social Security Disability attorneys
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