Social Security offices, which serve many senior citizens, have closed.
The agency said the decision during the coronavirus pandemic will help protect the population it serves: older Americans and people with underlying medical conditions.
The closures began Tuesday for in-person service. The agency gave the following tips for how to access services:
_ Check out what's available online. You can apply for retirement, disability and Medicare benefits. You also can check the status of an application or appeal, request a replacement Social Security card or print a benefit verification letter.
_ If you're working on filing your taxes, you can get a copy of your annual Benefit Statement online.
_ For questions that can't be answered online, check the online field office locator to learn how to directly call your local office. For automated telephone services, call 1-800-772-1213.
_ If you already have an in-office appointment scheduled, someone will call you to handle your appointment over the phone. If you have a hearing scheduled, someone will call you to discuss alternatives, including offering a hearing by phone. Please note that the call may come from a private number and not from a U.S. government phone number. There are some scam calls making the rounds so remember that Social Security employees will not threaten you or ask for any form of payment.
