If
it's not .gov, it's not Social Security
Send a link to a friend
[August 24, 2011]
When
you go on a road trip, you need to follow the signs to arrive at the
right place. Going online can be very much the same. Look for the
“.gov” at the end of the web address — if it isn’t .gov, it isn’t
the real Social Security website —
www.socialsecurity.gov.
Countless consumers nationwide
are victimized each year by misleading advertisers who use "Social
Security" or "Medicare" to entice the public to use their services.
(Click here for the rest of the
story)
More August questions and answers from Social Security
Send a link to a friend
[August 24, 2011]
SUPPLEMENTAL
SECURITY INCOME
Question: Is it true
that a person can own a home and still be eligible for Supplemental
Security Income (SSI) benefits?
Answer: Yes, even
though SSI is a needs-based program, a person who owns the home they
live in can be eligible for SSI benefits. People who receive SSI
must be age 65 or older, blind, or disabled and have limited income
and resources. But a personal residence is not counted as a resource
for SSI purposes. For more information, read our booklet,
Supplemental Security Income at
www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/11000.html.
(Click here for the rest of the story)
People
with a disability can get a ticket to work
Send a link to a friend
[August 24, 2011]
Millions
of Americans receive disability benefits from Social Security and
there could be good news for many of those who want to work. A free
and voluntary program called Ticket to Work gives individuals who
receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security
disability benefits access to meaningful employment while
maintaining control over benefit choices.
(Click here for the rest of the story)
August questions and answers from Social Security
Send a link to a friend
[August 24, 2011]
Question:
What should I do if an
employee gives me a Social Security number but cannot produce the
card?
Answer:
Seeing the card is not as
important as putting the correct information on the worker's Form
W-2. You can verify employee Social Security numbers by using the
Social Security Number Verification Service. Just go to
www.socialsecurity.gov/bso.
This online service allows registered employers to verify employee
Social Security numbers against Social Security records for wage
reporting purposes.
(Click here for the rest of the
story)
Foot
care an important factor in healthy aging
Send a link to a friend
[August 24, 2011]
(ARA)
- Forget aging gracefully. For today's baby boomers, it's more
important than ever to stay healthy and active as they age. While
growing older causes some unavoidable body changes, more boomers are
focusing on healthy lifestyles that can help them prevent problems
associated with aging - like mobility issues related to the feet and
legs. (Click here for the rest of the
story)
Tips
for maintaining a youthful look naturally
Send a link to a friend
[August 24, 2011]
(ARA)
- Age means different things to different people. What some might
think of as "old", others may view as "young." To present a youthful
image to the world, making adjustments to your appearance is key.
To project the right kind of youthful image, it's important to know
how to avoid going too far. A common mistake is dressing too young
in an effort to avoid looking too old. Striking a balance between
embracing current, youthful trends and adding your own style will
create a more balanced look.
(Click here for the rest of the story)
The safety net for aged, blind, disabled
people with limited income and resources
Send a link to a friend
[August 24, 2011]
There’s
a safety net out there for those who might otherwise slip through
the cracks. It’s called Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Administered by Social Security, SSI makes payments to people with
limited income and few resources who are age 65 or older, blind, or
have a disability.
Funding for the SSI program
comes from the general revenues of the U.S. Treasury, not from
Social Security payroll taxes. (Click
here for the rest of the story)
Beat
the heat: Go online to sign up for Medicare
Send a link to a friend
[August 24, 2011]
If
the dog days of summer have you turning up the air conditioning or
fan, here’s a hot tip to keep cool. When the time comes to apply for
your Medicare benefits, don’t worry about trudging into the heat and
making your way in the blazing sun to a Social Security office. Just
pour yourself a tall glass of iced tea, sit back in the comfort of
your home or office, and go to
www.socialsecurity.gov. (Click
here for the rest of the story)
SSN
retirement estimator celebrates three years
Send a link to a friend
[August 24, 2011]
It’s
been three years since Social Security’s Retirement Estimator
went online. Within months of coming out, the online application was
praised as one of the highest-rated online services around, and it
has consistently remained so every year.
(Click here for the rest of the story).
Rules
to Protect Seniors from Financial Exploitation Adopted
Send a link to a friend
[August 24, 2011]
SPRINGFIELD –
July 28, 2011. State regulations designed to protect elders from
financial exploitation took effect earlier today. They were approved
by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules on July 12. The
regulations are needed to implement legislation signed last summer
by Governor Quinn that required the Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA)
and Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
to develop training standards to be used by employees of financial
institutions who have direct contact with customers.
(Click here for the rest of the
story)
Every
month is 'National Social Security Online' month 