Help with Social Security
by Jim Czechowicz, Mpls Social Security Public Affairs Specialist
The ABC’s of Getting
a Social Security Replacement Card
Just the other day one of
my neighbors stopped me on my driveway and said that she had lost
her Social Security card. She wondered
what she needed to do to replace it.
I told her that replacing
a lost or misplaced Social Security card is a free service and
that we try to make the process as simple as possible. But I also told her that the law requires anyone
applying for a replacement card must offer specific proofs of identity
and citizenship. If you or someone you know find yourself in
the same situation as my neighbor, here is important information
to keep in mind. It can make your application process go more
quickly and efficiently.
To get a replacement card,
you will have to fill out an "Application for a Social Security Card"
(Form SS-5) www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ss-5.html and
show us certain documents.
What Documents Can You Use?
To prove identity, an acceptable
document must be current (not expired) and show your name, identifying
information (date of birth or age) and preferably a recent photograph. Social Security would
accept a U.S. driver’s license or passport, or a state-issued
non-driver identification card. If you do not have one of
these documents or cannot get one within 10 days, we will ask to
see other personal identity documents, such as an employee ID card,
a school ID card, a health insurance card, a U.S. military ID card
or an adoption decree. To prove citizenship, acceptable documents
include a U.S. birth certificate, U.S. consular report of birth,
U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of
Citizenship. Non-citizens must provide documentation to prove
legal immigration status and work authorization.
It is very important
to remember that all documents must be either originals or copies
certified by the issuing agency. We cannot
accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.
We will mail your replacement Social Security card and number to
you as soon as we have all of your information and have verified
your documents.
It is also important
to keep in mind that you are limited to three replacement cards
in a year and 10 during your lifetime. Legal
name changes and other exceptions, such as changes in non-citizen
status that require card updates, do not count toward these limits. Also,
you may not be affected by these limits if you can prove you
need the card to prevent a significant hardship.
Finally, I would like
to share with everyone the same advice that I gave my neighbor. You should treat your Social Security number
as confidential information and avoid giving it out unnecessarily. Keep
your Social Security card in a safe place with your other important
papers. Do not carry it with you unless you need to show it
to an employer or service provider. This will minimize the
chances of losing your Social Security card or having it stolen.
If you would like more
information about how to get a Social Security replacement card,
just visit our website at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber. If
you do not have access to the Internet, you can call our toll-free
number at 800-772-1213 (TTY 800-325-0778) and ask for the publication,
Your Social Security Number and Card.
You May Qualify for Extra
Help with New Medicare Prescription Drug Program Costs
By now, nearly
all Americans who may be eligible for the new Medicare Prescription
Drug program probably know at least something about this historic,
cost-saving program. But have you also heard
about the extra help that could bring you big savings on your monthly
premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments? That
extra help could be worth an average of $2,100 per year for those
who qualify.
You could qualify for
the extra help if you have limited income (below $14,700 for an
individual or $19,800 for a married couple) and resources (below
$11,500 for an individual or $23,000 for a married couple). To learn more or to apply now, visit Social Security
online at www.social security.gov/prescriptionhelp or call
Social Security toll-free at 800-772-1213 (TTY 800-325-0778).
After you apply, Social
Security will review your application and let you know if you qualify
for the extra help. If you qualify,
you will need to enroll in a Medicare-approved prescription drug
plan to get help with your prescription costs.
If you have been putting off
making a decision about applying for the prescription drug program,
I would encourage you to act as soon as possible because the deadline
for initial enrollment in the Medicare Prescription Drug program
ends on May 15, 2006.
To take advantage of these
opportunities to enroll in the Medicare Prescription Drug program
and, if you qualify, the extra help that may save you additional
money, you should act now.
