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PSA: Social Security Offices Closed Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

what is social security and how does it work Social Security offices closed

As businesses and organizations reveal their plans amid the coronavirus outbreak, Social Security Administration has announced physical offices will closed for in-person meetings starting March 17.

The SSA said it made the decision as a means to protect “the population we serve — older Americans and people with underlying medical conditions — and our employees during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic,” according to a Monday press release.

The SSA added that it will “still be able to provide critical services,” but anyone seeking aid will have to go through online or over-the-phone channels. The press release mentions online services through www.socialsecurity.gov, and agents will still be working in local offices to answer any phone calls.

Social Security provided benefits for around 64 million people in 2019, according to SSA data, and that number doesn’t only include retired workers. Over $18 billion in benefits were planned for over 16 million disabled workers, dependents and survivors receiving benefits from deceased relatives. That’s a lot of customers that may have unresolved issues.

The SSA gave some guidelines for anyone who needs to resolve an issue, per the press release:

For anyone who already has a scheduled appointment at a local office, the SSA says it will contact you to conduct the appointment over the phone instead. Anyone with a scheduled hearing will be contacted to discuss alternatives, including a possible hearing over the phone.

The administration added that the call may come from a “PRIVATE” number, and not from a U.S. Government phone.

“Please remember that our employees will not threaten you or ask for any form of payment,” the press release said.

Social Security has faced an influx of scams over the last year, with con artists impersonating SSA officers over phone and email in an effort to steal personal information from innocent beneficiaries.

Lastly, the SSA included options for anyone who cannot complete their business online.

Closing Social Security offices probably wasn’t an easy call to make, but it seems like the SSA has made an effort to do everything it can to continue providing services to its beneficiaries.


• You can find all of the latest and most important news about Social Security here on Money and Markets.

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