Description

Customers may need a replacement card for a number of reasons, such as misplacing their card, damaging their card, or updating their Social Security Number record, such as name change. Customers may need their Social Security cards to show their employers when accepting a new job, access certain government services, or enroll in health insurance.

Why this service was designated

A Social Security number (SSN) is required to work in the United States. The purpose of the SSN is to track earnings to determine the amount of Social Security benefits an individual may receive. An SSN card may be required when accepting a job, enrolling for health insurance, or accessing certain government services. Many other organizations, such as schools, banks, and state and local agencies, may ask for an SSN card, but they are not required to do so and can typically use other forms of identification. Many times, people do not need their card at all and just need to know their number (www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/). The use of the SSN drives a significant number of requests to obtain replacement Social Security cards.

In fiscal year (FY) 2020, with the pandemic disrupting in-person operations for half of the fiscal year, we issued about 5.8 million replacement cards via in-person requests and about 2 million cards through our Internet Social Security Number Replacement Card (iSSNRC) online option. The trend of increased iSSNRC usage continued into FY 2021, with just over 3 million customers using our online replacement card service.

Description

Customers age 62 and over who qualify utilize this service to access their retirement and Medicare benefits, which provide monetary payments and health insurance. We are responsible for processing and adjudicating applications for Social Security retirement benefits and, in partnership with the Medicare program, enrolling individuals in Medicare Parts A and/or B. We assist applicants in completing retirement applications online, over the phone or at local Social Security field offices. We also provide online access to my Social Security accounts, so customers can view their statements, check their earnings, and estimate their retirement benefits.

Why this service was designated

SSA provides benefits to support the financial security of more than 70 million people. Our largest program is the Old Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI)* program, which provides benefits to an average of over 55 million qualified workers and their families each month. In fiscal year (FY) 2021, the OASI program provided benefits totaling almost $1 trillion. Each year, we process approximately 6 million OASI claims. For the elderly population, Social Security can be a major source of income. As of a June 2021 report, Social Security benefits represent about 30 percent of income for the elderly.

*OASI includes survivor and dependent claims

Description

Customers who have a disability or are blind adults between the ages of 18–64 with limited income and resources utilize SSI to access support for basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing, and medical care. We are responsible for processing and adjudicating applications for SSI payments, which includes determining eligibility based on non-medical criteria (i.e., living arrangements, income, and resources) and coordinating with State Disability Determination Services (DDS) to determine eligibility based on medical criteria. We assist applicants in completing SSI applications online (available only for unmarried adults filing concurrently for Social Security Disability benefits and SSI with no previous SSI application filed), over the phone, or at local Social Security field offices. We are also responsible for taking SNAP applications and forwarding to the jurisdictional State for approval. In addition, we explore potential eligibility for other benefits (e.g., spousal, veterans, etc.) on behalf of the applicants.

Why this service was designated

SSA administers the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, a Federal assistance program that helps those with a disability, blind, and aged people who have little or no income to support basic financial needs such as food, shelter, and clothing. As of November 2021, our largest SSI population consists of those with a disability and blind adult recipients, totaling over 4.3 million (source: table 3 of Monthly Statistical Snapshot, November 2021 ssa.gov). In FY 2021, we paid about $41 billion Federal SSI payments to these customers.

Description

SSA surveys people who use their online services.