When benefit amounts change for a person receiving either Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a letter is sent by regular Post Office mail telling the new amount and reasons for the change.
As routinely done, recently the Social Security Administration has been mailing letters to beneficiaries explaining the 2015 cost-of-living increase benefit changes. Many of those letters cannot be delivered because Social Security records had an old address and Post Office mail forwarding requests were either not done or had expired.
One result is that the people involved do not receive important benefit information sent to them unless they contact Social Security to ask about it. These recontacts create more work for both the person and Social Security representatives.
Have you moved this year while receiving either Social Security or SSI benefits? Did you report your new mailing address so that your records stay accurate? If not, do this now.
Update your address in several ways.
Online: Social Security beneficiaries can update their address online at any convenient time if they have a personal my Social Security account. SSI recipients cannot update their address this way but other my Social Security services such as getting an online letter to prove your benefit amount remain available. For your convenience, this is the suggested method. Create your my Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount/.
By phone: you can telephone the Social Security national toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 / TTY 1-800-325-0778, from 7:00am – 7:00pm local time. National numbers are answered at different sites across the country. Representatives there can help you with other Social Security business as well.
In person: You can phone or visit your local Social Security office. Local office hours vary but most have public hours of 9:00am – 3:00pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and 9:00am – noon on Wednesday. Learn local office hours and locations here, in the “Find an Office” section.
Even when your benefit payment continues going to the same bank, credit union or other financial institution, be sure to notify Social Security of mailing address changes. This helps you. It helps Social Security.
By whatever method you choose, keep your mailing address current when you receive Social Security or SSI benefits. Important information is mailed to you during the year. Make sure you receive the news.