Social Security offices to be impacted by government shutdown

Business Ray Martin 01/10/2013

(MoneyWatch) While Social Security checks will continue to go out after the government shutdown, some folks making calls to their Social Security office may find their calls unanswered. Others looking for certain services may find their requests denied.

  • Government shutdown: What's the impact?
  • Social Security and IRAs when suddenly single
  • Delaying Social Security benefits pays off

According to a statement on the Social Security web site, field offices will remain open but with limited services. The site goes on to include the following statement:

"Hearings offices remain open to conduct hearings before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). Social Security card centers are closed. Social Security and Supplemental Security Income payments to beneficiaries will continue with no change in payment dates. Due to Congressional inaction to prevent the Government shutdown, we will only provide the following services at Social Security field offices:

1. Help you apply for benefits

2. Assist you in requesting an appeal

3. Change your address or direct deposit information

4. Accept reports of death

5. Verify or change your citizenship status

6. Replace a lost or missing Social Security payment

7. Issue a critical payment

8. Change a representative payee

9. Process a change in your living arrangement or income (SSI recipients only)

We cannot provide the following services:

1. Issue new or replacement Social Security cards

2. Replace your Medicare card

3. Issue a proof of income letter

If your visit involves any Social Security-related service not listed above, we regret we are unable to assist you. We regret any inconvenience."

This morning I logged onto the My Social Security web site and downloaded a copy of my Social Security Statement. The site worked without delay. It's not a bad Idea to do this as a precaution just in case the shutdown has other unanticipated implications.

Ray Martin

View all articles by Ray Martin on CBS MoneyWatch»
Ray Martin has been a practicing financial advisor since 1986, providing financial guidance and advice to individuals. He has appeared regularly as a contributor on the CBS Early Show, CBS NewsPath, as a columnist on CBS Moneywatch.com and on NBC-TV's morning newscast TODAY. He has also appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show and is the author of two books.

Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.

Related: