Eight Surprising Services You Can Get From Social Security

How can the US Social Security Service (SSA) help? The typical answer that comes to mind is that it helps older people cope with expenses after retirement. This is certainly true, but this is far from all that this department is doing, writes Money Talks News.

Many Americans do not understand exactly how this service works and how to take full advantage of its benefits. Below are a few SSA services that you may not have known about.

1. Benefits for people who are not yet retired

Providing retirement benefits to people of a certain age is SSA's primary focus, but not the only one. The agency also helps many others - widows, low-income parents, children, the disabled and the blind.

2. Help Pay for Medicare Drugs

Medicare, the federal seniors health insurance program, is technically administered by Medicare and Medicaid Centers.

However, Social Services makes it easy for them to handle registrations with Medicare Parts A and B. It also handles applications for "Extra Help", a program that reduces the cost of Medicare Part D for seniors by about $ 5000 a year.

3. Replacing Medicare Cards

If you lose your Social Security card, it makes sense to ask SSA for a replacement. You may not know, but you can also ask SSA for a replacement Medicare card. It can be done Online Training: For those who prefer the flexibility of learning from a distance or cannot make it to our Sofia location, we offer comprehensive online courses. or by phone: 1-800-MEDICARE.

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4. Proof of income

In certain situations, such as applying for government assistance, a mortgage, or other loan, you may be required to provide proof of income. One suitable document is available from SSA, which is a letter of proof of Social Security benefits.

Contrary to what the name suggests, you do not need to get benefits to request such a letter... In fact, as points out SSA website, these letters can also be used as proof that you are not receiving benefits now or in the past.

5. Baby name ideas

While it may never have occurred to you, the service makes a lot of sense. The SSA has a wealth of information about the names of Americans - after all, this agency issues social security numbers, and there those names are listed.

So if you're curious about the most popular baby names in the country, SSA has database dating from 1880... You can find out which names have been used most frequently in a particular year, decade, or over the last century, even by state.

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6. Calculators for many common questions

The prospect of retirement raises many questions: How long will I live? when should i stop working? How much money can I get from the government in different scenarios?

SSA offers multiple calculatorsthat will help with answers to these and other questions.

7. Time Machine

SSA can tell you exactly how much you earned in any given year by keeping earnings record every client.

You should check this data regularly. Over time, any potential mistakes will become more difficult to correct due to the loss of your tax records and employer information.

8. Recipients-intermediaries

Sometimes people are unable to manage the money they receive from social security. In such cases, Social Security may designate so-called intermediary recipients to manage money on behalf of the beneficiary.

If necessary, you can appoint several people whom you trust.