Getting Help with Social Security |
The best way to reach the Social Security Administration office is to call 800-772-1213 (TDD 800-325-0778) between 7 am and 7 pm Eastern Standard Time. You can also try our local Social Security Administration offices:
Ambridge #222
Pitts-East
Liberty #231
New Castle #210
Greensburg #223
Beaver
Falls #193
Pitts-North
#008
New Kensington
#225
Butler #239
Pitts Downtown #201
Sharon
#232 As always, you can call my office if you have any questions or need to discuss your concerns with a member of my staff. To open a case on your behalf, I need you to print, fill out and sign a privacy release form by clicking here. Due to the Privacy Act of 1974, my office cannot make inquiries on your behalf without this written consent. Completed forms may be mailed or faxed to:
Aliquippa District Office
Natrona Heights District Office
How do I apply for benefits/disablity benefits? To apply for benefits, contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) at 1-800-772-1213. You can ask SSA to send you the correct forms, and they can answer questions that you may have. In order to qualify for disability benefits, you must be unable to perform work of any kind and your disability must be expected to last at least one year or result in death. You must also have worked long enough (earned certain number of "credits") and recently enough under the Social Security System. The specific numbers depend on individual situations. The SSA receives numerous applications for disability benefits. Because of the large volume of applications, it can take a long period of time to receive a decision. If your application is denied, you may appeal the decision. If you receive disability benefits, the benefits will not begin until the sixth full month after the date the Social Security Administration decides the disability began. In addition, you must wait two years before you qualify for Medicare coverage. How do I apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)? To apply for benefits or to ask questions, contact the SSA at 1-800-772-1213. Supplemental Security Income is an income assistance program administered by the Social Security Administration for people who are elderly (65 or older), blind, or disabled (physical or mental problem expected to last at least one year or result in death) who do not have many assets and who do not earn much money (less than $520/per month if you don't work, and $1,073/per month if you work). You can generally expect an answer on whether you are eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) within two to six months. How do I apply for retirement benefits? To apply for benefits or to get more information about the SSA retirement program, call 1-800-772-1213. In order to be eligible for retirement benefits, you have to have enough "credits" (10 years of work--you earn one credit per certain amount of money that you make) and have paid into Social Security. You are eligible for SSA retirement benefits when you reach age 65, but you can apply early at age 62. If you apply early, the benefits you receive will be reduced, however, you will receive them for a longer time. The amount you receive depends on how much you earned when you were working. You can also delay applying for Social Security retirement. If you do so, your extra income may increase your benefit amount, and you will receive a credit. To find out more about credit you may receive, contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213. |