Limited in-person assistance from SSA employees
The third change that we’re most likely going to see in the following weeks or even months with regard to the Social Security program, is a reduced interaction between beneficiaries and Social Security Administration (SSA) employees.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the SSA has requested their employees to work remotely to the extent this thing is possible, considering that many other businesses have allowed their workers to perform their duties from home. More than that, SSA employees who are at higher risk of coronavirus exposure, such as the elderly ones, those who underlying health conditions, or are pregnant, have the “work at home quarantine” option no matter what.
SSA employees have also been informed that offices may soon become closed, depending on the spread of COVID-19 within the country. If this happens, the employees will have no other choice but to work remotely.
This means that in-person interaction with SSA employees may become limited for the foreseeable future. The silver lining in all of this is that the SSA’s online portal allows beneficiaries to sign up and apply for Social Security retirement benefits, spousal benefits, or disability income benefits, change their address, verify the status of an application or appeal, and so much more. SSA employees can also be contacted by phone if you have pressing matters that need to be addressed.
