If you have had trouble dealing with the Social Security Administration (SSA) or the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), myoffice may be able to help.  Please contact the Rockville office at301-424-3501.

According to the Privacy Act of 1974, in order for Congressman VanHollen to assist you, written authorization is needed.  Please completethe General Privacy ReleaseForm and return it to my Rockville office at

FAX: 301-424-5992

Important News:  Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period runs from November 15 to December 31.  Annual Enrollment is your chance to review your current plan, compare it with your other options, and make sure you're getting the best available coverage for your health care needs. 

For more information and resources to find the plan that works for you, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I apply for Social Security benefits?
• How do I apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?
• How do I apply for retirement benefits?
• How do I apply for Survivor’s benefits?
• How do I apply for Medicare benefits?
• If I continue working past 65, should I still apply for Medicare benefits?

How do I apply for SocialSecurity benefits?

To apply for benefits, contact the Social Security Administration (SSA)at 800-772-1213.  They have a TTY phone connection at 800-325-0778.  Youcan ask SSA to send you the correct forms, and they can answer questionsyou may have.

In order to qualify for disability benefits, you must be unable toperform work of any kind and your disability must be expected to last atleast one year or result in death.  In order to be eligible forretirement benefits, you have to have enough "credits" (10 years ofwork--you earn one credit per certain amount of money that you make),have paid into Social Security, and be fully insured under the SocialSecurity system.

The SSA receives numerous applications for disability benefits. Becauseof the large volume of applications, it can take a long period of time toreceive a decision. If your first application is denied, you have 60 daysto request a reconsideration of your claim. If that application isdenied, you have 60 days to request a hearing before an AdministrativeLaw Judge. It may take several months before a hearing is scheduled. Ifyou are denied at the Administrative Law Judge level, you may appeal thejudge's decision to the Appeals Council within 60 days. Once the AppealsCouncil receives your file, it can take up to two years for a review.

If you receive disability benefits, the benefits won't begin untilthe sixth full month after the date the Social SecurityAdministration decides the disability began.  In addition, you must waittwo years before you qualify for Medicare coverage.

How do I apply for SupplementalSecurity Income (SSI)?

To apply for benefits or to ask questions, contact the SSA at800-772-1213.  They have a TTY phone connections as well at 800-325-0778.

Supplemental Security Income is an income assistance program administeredby the Social Security Administration for people who are elderly (65 orolder), blind, or disabled (physical or mental problem expected to lastat least one year or result in death), who don't have many assets (thethings you own are worth less than $2,000) and who don't earn much money(less than $520/per month if you don't work, and $1,073/per month if youwork).

These amounts change periodically.  For the most current, call SSA at theabove number.You can generally expect an answer on whether you areeligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) within two to six months.

How do I apply for retirementbenefits?

To apply for benefits or to get more information about the SSAretirement program, call 800-772-1213. They have a TTY phone connectionas well at 800-325-0778.

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 ofmoney that you make), have paid into Social Security, and be fullyinsured under the Social Security system.

You are eligible for SSA retirement benefits when you reach age 65(however, beginning in 2003, the age at which you can apply forretirement benefits will increase gradually from 65 to 67), but you canapply early at age 62.  If you apply early, the benefits you receive willbe reduced, but you will receive them for a longer time.

The amount you receive depends on how much you earned when you wereworking.

You can also delay applying for Social Security retirement.  If you doso, your extra income may increase your benefit amount, and you willreceive a credit.  To find out more, contact the Social SecurityAdministration at 800-772-1213.

How do I apply for Survivors'benefits?

A family member or other personresponsible for the beneficiary's affairs should do the following:

• Promptly notify Social Security of the beneficiary's death by calling SSA toll-free at 1-800-772-1213.
• If monthly benefits were being paid via direct deposit, notify the bank or other financial institution of the beneficiary's death. Request that any funds received after the death of the beneficiary be returned to Social Security as soon as possible.
• If benefits were being paid by check, DO NOT CASH any checks received for the month in which the beneficiary died or thereafter. Return the checks to Social Security as soon as possible.

A one-time payment of $255 is payable to the surviving spouse if he orshe was living with the beneficiary at the time of death, OR if livingapart, was eligible for Social Security benefits on the beneficiary'searnings record for the month of death.

If there is no surviving spouse, the payment is made to a child who waseligible for benefits on the beneficiary's earnings record in the monthof death.

Benefits for Survivors

Monthly survivors benefits can be paid to certain familymembers, including the beneficiary's widow or widower, dependent childrenand dependent parents.  For more information and publications, visit theSocial Security website for Survivors Benefits.

How do I apply For Medicarebenefits?

If you are already getting Social Security retirement or disabilitybenefits or railroad retirement checks, Social Security will contact youa few months before you become eligible for Medicare and give you theinformation you need to register.

If you are not already getting checks, you should contact Social Securityat 800-772-1213  about three months before your 65th birthday to sign upfor Medicare. They also have a TTY phone connection at 800-325-0778.

If I continue working past 65, shouldI still apply for Medicare benefits?

You should sign up for Medicare even if you don't plan to retire at age65 or you may be penalized a 10 percent premium surcharge for each yearpast age 65 that you do not have Medicare. To register for Medicare,contact Social Security at 800-772-1213 about three months before your65th birthday.  They also have a TTY phone connection at 800-325-0778.

However, if you are age 65 or older and are covered under a group healthplan either from your own employment or you are covered from yourspouse's employment, you may delay enrolling in Medicare medicalinsurance (Part B) without having to wait for a general enrollment periodor pay the 10 percent premium surcharge for late enrollment.

The rules allow you to:

• Enroll in Medicare Part B any time while you are covered under the group health plan, or
• Enroll in Part B during an eight-month special enrollment period that begins with the month your group health coverage ends or the month employment ends, whichever comes first.