Social Security offices to be impacted by government shutdown
(MoneyWatch) While Social Security checks will continue to go out after the government shutdown, some folks making calls to their Social Security office may find their calls unanswered. Others looking for certain services may find their requests denied.
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According to a statement on the Social Security web site, field offices will remain open but with limited services. The site goes on to include the following statement:
"Hearings offices remain open to conduct hearings before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). Social Security card centers are closed. Social Security and Supplemental Security Income payments to beneficiaries will continue with no change in payment dates. Due to Congressional inaction to prevent the Government shutdown, we will only provide the following services at Social Security field offices:
1. Help you apply for benefits
2. Assist you in requesting an appeal
3. Change your address or direct deposit information
4. Accept reports of death
5. Verify or change your citizenship status
6. Replace a lost or missing Social Security payment
7. Issue a critical payment
8. Change a representative payee
9. Process a change in your living arrangement or income (SSI recipients only)
We cannot provide the following services:
1. Issue new or replacement Social Security cards
2. Replace your Medicare card
3. Issue a proof of income letter
If your visit involves any Social Security-related service not listed above, we regret we are unable to assist you. We regret any inconvenience."
This morning I logged onto the My Social Security web site and downloaded a copy of my Social Security Statement. The site worked without delay. It's not a bad Idea to do this as a precaution just in case the shutdown has other unanticipated implications.
