Social Security Services

We help lots of constituents who are having problems with Social Security benefits and eligibility. If you have tried to resolve a problem with the Social Security Administration without reaching a solution, we might be able to help. You will need to fill out a Privacy Release and mail or fax it, along with an explanation of the problem you are having, to:

Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger
375 W. Padonia Road, Suite 200
Timonium, MD 21093
Fax 410-628-2708

 

In addition to the following, the Social Security Administration website has an excellent Frequently Asked Questions section.

Q: How do I apply for Social Security benefits?
A: To apply for benefits, contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 (or TTY for the hearing impaired at 1-800-325-0778). You can ask SSA to send you the correct forms, and they can answer questions you may have.

Q: Do I qualify for disability benefits?
A: 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 a certain number of recent “credits”) 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 time to receive a decision. If your application is denied at initial application and after reconsideration, you may continue to appeal the decision. The next appeal will go to the local Office of Disability, Adjudication, and Review (hearings office) and will be heard by an Administrative Law Judge. If denied again, the next appeal will be reviewed by the Appeals Council in Virginia. These two appeal steps are lengthy processes. I am working in Congress to reduce the amount of time spent in the hearings appeal process.

If you receive disability benefits, the benefits won’t begin until the sixth full month after the date the Social Security Administration decides your disability began. In addition, you must wait two years before you qualify for Medicare coverage.

Q: Do I qualify for Supplemental Security Income?
A: Supplemental Security Income is a “means-tested,” income assistance program administered by the Social Security Administration for disabled or blind children, some disabled adults (physical or mental problem expected to last at least one year or result in death) and some very low-income retired or disabled elderly (age 65 or older).

More about:


Q: How do I apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?
A: To apply for benefits or to ask questions, contact the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (or TTY for the hearing impaired at 1-800-325-0778) to arrange an appointment at your local Social Security office. You can generally expect an answer on whether you are eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) within two to six months.

Q: Am I eligible for retirement benefits?
A: In order to be eligible for retirement benefits, you have to have enough “credits,” or earnings reported to the IRS, for which you paid Social Security taxes. You earn one credit per certain amount of money that you make over a certain period of time. You must have 40 credits to be insured to retire.

Previously, if you were born in 1937 or earlier, you were eligible for SSA full retirement benefits when you reached age 65. However, beginning in 2003, the age at which a person can apply for full retirement benefits is based on the year of birth and has increased gradually from age 65 to 67. However, you can apply early at age 62. If you apply early, the benefits you receive will be reduced, but you will receive them for a longer time. A widow/er can apply for early retirement benefits at age 60.
The amount you receive depends on how much you earned when you were working.

Q: How do I apply for retirement benefits?
A: To apply for benefits or to get more information about the SSA retirement program, call 1-800-772-1213 (or TTY for the hearing impaired at 1-800-325-0778). 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.

Q: What benefits are provided to Survivors’?
A: A one-time payment of $255 is payable to the surviving spouse if he or she was living with the beneficiary at the time of death, or, if living apart, was eligible for Social Security benefits on the beneficiary’s earnings record for the month of death. If there is no surviving spouse, the payment is made to a child who was eligible for benefits on the beneficiary’s earnings record in the month of death.

Monthly survivors’ benefits can be paid to certain family members, including the beneficiary’s widow or widower, dependent children and dependent parents. For more information and publications, visit the Social Security website for Survivors Benefits.

Q: How do I apply for Survivors benefits?
A: A family member or other person responsible 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 for the month of death and later 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.