Act Now – Go to IRS.gov – A Message from Social Security Commissioner Andrew Saul

Act Now – Go to IRS.gov

A Message from Social Security Commissioner

Andrew Saul

Social Security beneficiaries and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients who don’t file tax returns will start receiving their automatic Economic Impact Payments directly from the Treasury Department soon.

People receiving benefits who did not file 2018 or 2019 taxes, and have qualifying children under age 17, however, should not wait for their automatic $1,200 individual payment. They should immediately go to the IRS’s webpage and visit the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here section to provide their information.

Social Security retirement, survivors, and disability insurance beneficiaries with dependent children and who did not file 2018 or 2019 taxes need to act by Wednesday, April 22, in order to receive additional payments for their eligible children quickly.

SSI recipients need to take this action by later this month; a specific date will be available soon.

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https://blog.ssa.gov/act-now-go-to-irs-gov-a-message-from-social-security-commissioner-andrew-saul/

Act Now – Go to IRS.gov – A Message from Social Security Commissioner Andrew Saul

New Guidance about COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments

“The Treasury Department launched a new web tool allowing quick registration for Economic Impact Payments for eligible individuals who do not normally file a tax return, and also announced that it would begin making automatic payments.

However, for some people receiving benefits from the Social Security Administration — specifically those who have dependent children under the age of 17—it is to their advantage to go to this portal to ensure they also get the $500 per dependent Economic Impact Payment. I encourage them to do this as soon as possible, and want to provide the following details:

People who receive Social Security retirement, survivors, or disability insurance benefits and who did not file a tax return for 2018 or 2019 and who have qualifying children under age 17 should now go to the IRS’s webpage to enter their information instead of waiting for their automatic $1,200 Economic Impact Payment.

By taking proactive steps to enter information on the IRS website about them and their qualifying children, they will also receive the $500 per dependent child payment in addition to their $1,200 individual payment. If Social Security beneficiaries in this group do not provide their information to the IRS soon, they will have to wait to receive their $500 per qualifying child."

Continue reading the article for additional details
https://blog.ssa.gov/new-guidance-about-covid-19-economic-impact-payments/

New Guidance about COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments

Medicare and Coronavirus: What You Need to Know

From the Social Security Administration (SSA):

"With the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), being informed about your Medicare coverage is more important than ever.

Medicare recently expanded its coverage of telehealth services. Telehealth enables beneficiaries to receive a wider range of healthcare services from doctors without having to travel to a healthcare facility. It also helps frontline clinicians stay safe themselves while treating people.

If your doctor orders a COVID-19 test for you, Medicare covers all of the costs. You should not have any co-pay, no matter what Medicare plan you’re enrolled in. There’s no vaccine for COVID-19 at this time, but when one becomes available, Medicare will cover it."

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https://blog.ssa.gov/medicare-and-coronavirus-what-you-need-to-know/

Visit the SSA COVID-19 page https://www.ssa.gov/coronavirus/

Medicare and Coronavirus: What You Need to Know

Inspector General Warns About New Social Security Benefit Suspension Scam

"Today, I am warning the public about fraudulent letters threatening suspension of Social Security benefits due to COVID-19 or coronavirus-related office closures. Social Security will not suspend or discontinue benefits because their offices are closed.

The Social Security Office of the Inspector General has received reports that Social Security beneficiaries have received letters through the U.S. Mail stating their payments will be suspended or discontinued unless they call a phone number referenced in the letter.

Scammers may then mislead beneficiaries into providing personal information or payment via retail gift cards, wire transfers, internet currency, or by mailing cash, to maintain regular benefit payments during this period of COVID-19 office closures."

Continue reading this warning about social security benefits scams 
https://blog.ssa.gov/inspector-general-warns-about-new-social-security-benefit-suspension-scam/#more-4667

 

A COVID-19 Update from SSA Commissioner

A COVID-19 Update from the 

Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner

03/19/2020 11:22 AM EDT

I want you to hear directly from me how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting our services. The first thing you should know is that we continue to pay benefits. Be aware that scammers may try to trick you into thinking the pandemic is stopping your Social Security payments but that is not true. Don’t be fooled.

To protect you and help stop the spread of this coronavirus, we cannot accept visitors in our offices at this time. There are several other ways you can get help. Many services are available online. If you have a critical need that you cannot address online, we can help you over the phone.

Please visit our Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) page to find out what services we are continuing and which ones we are suspending, how to contact us, and important information about deadlines we are extending to ease the burden on you and medical providers during this pandemic.

Continue reading the update
https://blog.ssa.gov/a-covid-19-update-from-our-commissioner/#more-4658

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update page  https://www.ssa.gov/coronavirus/

Andrew Saul, SSA Commissioner  (SSA Photo)

Inspector General Warns Public about Widespread Social Security Scam Texts

"Social Security phone scams are the number one type of fraud reported to the Federal Trade Commission. Callers claim that you have a problem with your Social Security number or benefits and demand immediate payment from you to avoid arrest or other legal action.

We recently announced two landmark civil complaints, filed by the Department of Justice in the Eastern District of New York, seeking injunctions against five telecommunications companies and their owners. The complaints allege the companies and their owners have, for years, knowingly facilitated government imposter telephone scams. The Department of Justice issued a news release about the filing and request for court orders, and held a press call with U.S. Attorney Richard Donaghue, Inspector General Gail S. Ennis, and Chief Postal Inspector Gary Barksdale.

If granted, the court orders will prevent the five enjoined companies from continuing to allow “the delivery of millions of fraudulent ‘robocalls’ every day from foreign call centers to the U.S. telecommunications system.”

Continue reading at the Social Security page
https://blog.ssa.gov/social-security-is-taking-action-to-prevent-scam-calls/#more-4633

Inspector General Warns Public about Widespread Social Security Scam Texts

Social Security Launches New Campaign to Fight Scammers (video)

"Recently, we launched a new Public Service Announcement campaign as our latest step to caution you about the ongoing nationwide telephone impersonation scheme. The videos feature a message from our Commissioner, Andrew Saul. 

Along with our Office of the Inspector General, we continue to receive reports about fraudulent phone calls and emails from people falsely claiming they’re government employees. 

The scammers play on emotions like fear to convince people to provide personal information or money in cash, wire transfers, or gift cards. Fraudsters are also emailing fake documents in attempts to get people to comply with their demands."

Continue reading the announcement on avoiding scammers
https://blog.ssa.gov/social-security-launches-new-campaign-to-fight-scammers/#more-4563

Video link -> https://youtu.be/QrHFNdjcp2s

Social Security Launches New Campaign to Fight Scammers (video)

Protect Yourself from Social Security Scams Scammers are pretending to be government employees. Scammers will try to scare and trick you into giving them your personal information and money. They may threaten you or your family and may demand immediate payment to avoid arrest or other legal action. DON'T BE FOOLED! IF YOU RECEIVE A SUSPICIOUS CALL: 1. Hang up! 2. DO NOT give them money or personal     information! 3. Report the scam at OIG.SSA.GOV! Social Security may call you in some situations but will never Threaten you Suspend your Social Security Number Demand immediate payment from you Require payment by cash, gift card, pre-paid debit card, or wire transfer Ask for gift card numbers over the phone or to wire or mail cash What to look out for The call or email says there is a problem with your Social Security Number or account. Someone asking you to pay a fine or debt with retail gift cards, wire transfers, pre-paid debit cards, internet currency, or by mailing cash. Scammers pretend they're from Social Security or another government agency. Caller ID or documents sent by email may look official but they are not. Callers threaten you with arrest or other legal action. Protect yourself, friends, and family! If you receive a questionable call, hang up and report it at oig.ssa.gov Don't be embarrassed to report if you shared personal information or suffered a financial loss Learn more at oig.ssa.gov/scam Share this information with others Report a Scam

Join the millions and discover your benefits!Open a my Social Security account.

Spread The Word About Social Security Scams Getting calls saying your Social Security number is suspended because of suspicious activity? It's a scam. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is not calling you, no matter what your caller ID says. To spread the word about this growing scam, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau created this fraud prevention place mat in consultation with the FTC and SSA: Order Free Copies You can order free copies of the place mat to use at a meal site or to share with friends and family. The place mat is in English on one side and Spanish on the other. To report these scams, go to ftc.gov/complaint. And for more tips, visit IdentityTheft.gov/SSA. This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

In the News: social security gets COLA increase; register to vote by Oct 17

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Tens of millions of Social Security recipients and other retirees will get a 2.8 percent boost in benefits next year as inflation edges higher. It’s the biggest increase most retired baby boomers have gotten. 

Following a stretch of low inflation, the cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, for 2019 is the highest in seven years. It amounts to $39 a month raise for the average retired worker, according to estimates released Thursday by the Social Security Administration. 

The COLA affects household budgets for about one in five Americans, including Social Security beneficiaries, disabled veterans and federal retirees. That’s about 70 million people, enough to send ripples through the economy. 

Unlike most private pensions, Social Security has featured inflation protection since 1975. Beneficiaries also gain from compounding since COLAs become part of their underlying benefit, the base for future cost-of-living increases."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 
https://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20181011/social-security-checks-will-grow-in-2019-as-inflation-rises

"The deadline for registering to vote in the Nov. 6 state election is 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17. 

Any citizen who will turn 18 by election day is eligible. City and town clerks will stay open until 8 p.m. on Oct. 17. 

Voters can also register online, in person at Registry of Motor Vehicles offices or by mail by downloading a form available on the secretary of state’s website and sending it to or dropping it off at a local city or town hall. 

Absentee ballots are available for voters who will be out of town on election day or who have medical conditions or religious beliefs that will prevent them from going to the polls in person. Application are available on the secretary of state’s website and at city and town halls. The deadline to apply is noon Nov. 5, and the ballot must be postmarked by 8 p.m. on election day."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181011/six-days-left-to-register-for-state-election

Election Information for Nov 2018

In the News: Franklin asks Norfolk for traffic study; Social Security gets small increase

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Because of a Norfolk development near the Franklin town line, Franklin town council members want the zoning board in Norfolk to conduct a traffic study at the intersection of Mill and Chestnut streets. 

Town Administrator Jeff Nutting said that some residents had contacted the Town Council to voice their concerns about traffic flow near their homes. The vote at Town Council meeting on Oct. 11 was unanimous. 

“There are a lot of residents that are very concerned, and we’re concerned as well,” he said. “Because Mill Street, which is where the development is near, is a hilly, curvy, winding road.” 

Nutting also said that there will be a flow of haulers moving dirt and rocks out of the site during the beginning of construction."

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http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171013/franklin-asks-norfolk-to-conduct-traffic-study

"Millions of Social Security recipients and other retirees will get a 2 percent increase in benefits next year, the largest increase since 2012, though it comes to only $25 a month for the average beneficiary. 

The cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, affects benefits for more than 70 million U.S. residents, including Social Security recipients, disabled veterans and federal retirees. That’s about one in five Americans. 

By law, the COLA is based on a broad measure of consumer prices generated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Advocates for seniors claim the inflation index doesn’t accurately capture rising prices faced by seniors, especially for health care. 

“It doesn’t make your life any easier. It’s really made it tight,” said Barbara Bogart, who retired from a home health care company. “You have to be so careful to make it each month.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20171013/social-security-recipients-will-see-2-percent-boost-in-2018-checks

Social Security gets small increase