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New Supplemental Security Income Improvements Team - SSA.GOV
In September 2025, Commissioner Bisignano created a new SSI Improvement Team to make SSI processing more efficient, reduce improper payments, speed up automation, and help SSI recipients comply with program requirements. Continue reading here…
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I have a problem, my name is Vera Sims and I was the payee for my grandson Robby Torregano I bought his school papers to the SS office in November, so I was sent another form for the school to sign, the school hasn’t signed because of the name change I need help getting him name correct. He is a Senior. I need help. I went online, they wanted a monthly payment. Can I get an appointment 😩
Vera:
Based on the information in your email, I gather that your grandson is receiving Social Security benefits and has since turned 18 years old while still a full-time student, as a senior in high school. He must now be receiving his own checks since he turned 18 with you as his representative payee prior to his turning 18. Once a student has attained their 18th birthday and still due benefits, they must prove they are indeed still a full-time student which will entitle them to payments until they graduate high school or turn 19. I’m not certain why there is a name change involved unless you adopted him or there was an error on Social Security records when they issued him a social security number and card. If the school needs to see documentation of a name change or correction from SSA, he will have to complete an application for a replacement social security card that includes the name change. It’s the same application for everything having to do with SSA name corrections or updates. He can get started in SSA’s website by using this link: Apply for a Social Security Card
He will probably be required to appear in person at your local SSA field office. You may want to call SSA first at 1-800-772-1213 to set up an appointment. If you know the direct phone number of your local SSA office, call them instead of the number I just gave you. Here is another SSA link that helps you find your servicing office: Field Office Locator | SSA
Once your grandson has done this with SSA, he will receive his correction of name on his Social Security card and he can then bring this to the school.
Social Security has many fake or fraudulent websites that attempt to get money from people in order to assist them. Please know that SSA never charges people for their assistance. Do not go into any website that doesn’t show it’s from the government as they make themselves look very original. Please look for any website that has the URL, the last digits in their email address that shows “ .gov “.
I hope this answers your questions and provides some valuable guidance. Please don’t hesitate to contact us again by email or call our office at 1-888-750-2622 during our business hours of Monday-Friday, 9 AM- 5 PM.
Ken Baron, Social Security Advisor
AMAC Foundation, Inc.
We are pleased to have the opportunity to serve you via the AMAC Foundation’s Social Security Advisory Service, a program we offer to the public free of charge. The AMAC Foundation is a 501(3)(c) non-profit organization, operating completely on financial contributions from the public. To learn more about the Foundation and the programs we provide, or to contribute to the Foundation’s mission, visit our website: http://www.AmacFoundation.org. Also, please note that we conduct periodic surveys of people we have served to help ensure that we are providing the highest level of quality. These surveys are done via separate email contact, and are very brief. Your participation is important and much appreciated! If you prefer that we do not include you, please let us know and we’ll exclude your email address from the survey list.
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
I cannot leave my rental so it’s very difficu.lt to visit any agency
I understand housing is in crisis but we have to move 1st March
Agoraphobia and other disabilities are so depressing
I make 987 a month and my rent is $800
I am disabled and desperate for housing I have Agoraphobia a
And cannot go to a shelter I am desperate
Please help me 🙏
Ann:
Thank you for the comment. Please note that we are a small non-profit an unable to provide direct financial support to those in need. The USA.gov/benefits website provides an index that can help you search for assistance available in your state. That service can be found here: https://www.usa.gov/state-social-services.
We wish you well in your search for assistance.
Gerry Hafer, Social Security Advisor
AMAC Foundation
The above is intended for information purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. It presents the opinions and interpretations of the AMAC Foundation’s staff, trained and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA). NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity. To submit a question, visit our website (amacfoundation.org/programs/social-security-advisory) or email us at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org
I have a question, does SSI help with paying rent? My longtime boyfriend had a stroke October 3, 2025 and is paralyzed on his left side, he has no income and has been given a pay or vacate and the resources we applied for there wasn’t enough funding Can you point us in the right direction Thank You
Melissa:
As explained on the SSA.gov website, “If you live in your own place and pay your own shelter costs, regardless of whether you own or rent, you may get up to the maximum SSI amount payable in your State. You may also get up to the maximum if you live in someone else’s household as long as you pay your shelter costs. If you live in someone else’s household and don’t pay your shelter costs or pay only part of your shelter costs, your SSI payment may be reduced by up to one-third of the SSI Federal benefit rate.” I suggest you review the details included on the SSA.gov website at this address: https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/spotlights/spot-living-arrangements.htm#:~:text=Yes%2C%20it%20can.,pay%20for%20your%20shelter%20expenses.
Gerry Hafer, Social Security Advisor
AMAC Foundation, Inc.
The above is intended for information purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. It presents the opinions and interpretations of the AMAC Foundation’s staff, trained and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA). NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity. To submit a question, visit our website (amacfoundation.org/programs/social-security-advisory) or email us at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org
Hi,
I collect my Ss from the age of 661/2
Now I am 69.
I still work and I still pay SS I was wandering if I collect already.whyi am still contributing? Why I don’t get the money back.
I am working because I don’t have a choice my Ss pay my rent.and I need extra to pay for my groceries and my bills. Can you please explain to me where the money that you collect for me go.
Thank you
Marisa:
Thanks for the question. It’s one we receive often here at the AMAC Foundation Social Security Advisory Service. Social Security is structured as a “pay as you go” program, meaning that current payroll taxes are used to fund current benefits. So, all wages (up to the taxable maximum) are subject to the 6.2% payroll tax. It should ne noted that, in the event your earnings after claiming benefits were to exceed the lowest annual adjusted earnings figure in your work history, your benefit would be adjusted automatically by the Social Security Administration.
Thanks again for the question.
Gerry Hafer, Social Security Advisor
AMAC Foundation
The above is intended for information purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. It presents the opinions and interpretations of the AMAC Foundation’s staff, trained and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA). NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity. To submit a question, visit our website (amacfoundation.org/programs/social-security-advisory) or email us at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org
SS has been in a death spiral for the last 40 years.Those born in the 1930’s, who had the greatest longevity of all other generations, had the best bennefit, receiving full SS for as many as 30-40 years after retirement. The next eligible group, known as the Boomers (babies of that first gen. in SS) worked 40to50 years to retire, now only to be taunted and stressed to the tune of that money being exhausted by 2032. So its “no wonder” why Boomer children gen. dont think they need to work in jobs that track income, because they surely believe there will NOT be any SS when they stop working. SS has had many changes that have negatively impacted the net income of the Boomer gen. and we still fear the bottom dropping out befor death!!!
Yes my name is Dwayne wood I have disably case out of Wichita ks,316-554-6397, is my phone #…my case is 31/2years old now…last April I won my medical case,,may 1st of 2025 I was denied on financial side,dew to my case worker.not listening to me,and not knowing anything about KS state laws on property owned in ks…(redemption laws),because of my case workers hasty judgment it has cost ssssssssooooooo much,choas,and anger … and frustration i would have to take 2 or 3 hours to fully explain,,,but anyway I requested arbitrary, meeting,,,I meet arbitrary person…explain to her (Veronica arbitrary person S.S.A .provided me )what and why provided paper work proving my case..Veronica agreed with me on my case and said that all she needed to do was get survivors signature and my case would be good to go…well that was in October of 2025,,,,it’s now February 18th of 2026,and I’m still waiting,,I really need to talk to someone (human being ) not a recording..
Pls because of ssa dragging there feet ,blowing me off ,,,pushing me aside,,and literally….I me LITERALLY LITERALLY FORGETING about me and my case,,,and miss placing my file,,I have lost everything I own,,,,,including my sanity….pls someone call me bk,,,PLS CALL ME DWAYNE WOOD 316-554-6397..
Dwayne, We tried to call you this morning, but there was no response. Our Social Security Advisory phone service is available Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Sincerely,
AMAC Foundation