Little Changes to Social Security Make a Big Difference in Serving You
Little Changes Make a Big Difference in Serving You
By: Vonda VanTil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist
Social Security’s goal is to provide the best service possible to everyone who comes to us for help.
Technology is vital to delivering quality service, and we continue to provide more options for customers to do business with us over the Internet or through self-service kiosks. For example, my Social Security provides people who use the Internet a secure way to do business with us in an easy and convenient way at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.
We are making changes in the way we provide some services so we can serve the vast majority of Americans better and more efficiently. Later this year, Social Security will stop providing benefit verification letters in our local offices. You can still get an instant letter online by creating a personal my Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount, or by calling our toll-free telephone number at 1-800-772-1213 to request one by mail.
In addition, we will discontinue providing Social Security number printouts. These printouts have no security features and could be easily misused or counterfeited. If you need proof of your Social Security number and you do not have your Social Security card, you may apply for a replacement card by completing the Application for a Social Security Card and providing the required documentation. You’ll find the application online at www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ss-5.pdf. As always, we continue to work directly with other agencies to minimize the need for furnishing proof of your Social Security number.
You may want to check out our webinar that aired live on January 9, “Benefit Verification Letters Online, Easy as 1-2-3.” The webinar explains how to establish an account on my Social Security, how to get a benefit verification letter and others offered at our website. Watch the webinar at www.socialsecurity.gov/webinars.
Vonda VanTil is the public affairs specialist for West Michigan. You can write her c/o Social Security Administration, 3045 Knapp St NE, Grand Rapids MI 49525 or via email at vonda.vantil@ssa.gov
