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The Social Security Administration always has a lot on its plate. Social Security employees annually administer about $1.4 trillion in benefits to more than 70 million people. Their employees serve more than half a million people in 1,000 offices across the U.S.
Those are heavy facts. If you’ve needed to resolve an issue with Social Security in person, you know you may have to wait. Even though it’s one of the busiest U.S. agencies, it’s chronically underfunded. And Congressional Republications are constantly threatening to cut back benefits and raise the retirement age.
That said, you can get what you need from the agency if you follow some guidelines. Here are some shortcuts you should know about:
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Use their website. In recent years, Social Security has improved their technology so that you can apply for benefits
through their website.
You can even apply for Medicare on the site. - Use their automated services. If you have to visit a Social Security office, streamline your visit. According to Kilolo Kijakazi, former acting Social Security Administrator, “For visitors to our local field offices, we expanded mobile check-in and instituted an online scheduling system for people who need an appointment for a Social Security card. We also updated our check-in kiosks to make them more accessible and improve the overall check-in process.”
- Do Your Business Online. Due to upgrades in automated software, there’s a lot you can do online (see website above). “Customers can start—and often complete—their SSN card requests and applications for certain benefits online, and we recently introduced an online tool that will allow customers to electronically sign and upload certain documents. These improvements allow millions of people to complete their business online quickly and securely,” Kijakazi states.
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Get help. There are some aspects of Social Security that can get real complicated. Assistance is available through local senior centers and area agencies on aging. Nearly every city and county provides these services. You also may find some aid at a
local AARP chapter.
Still, you may encounter some hiccups in dealing with Social Security. The disability benefits process, although improved somewhat in recent years, is still difficult. Adds Kijakazi: “We are simplifying our disability redetermination and overpayment notices so they’re shorter, easier to understand, and less burdensome for our customers.”