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Social Security
Questions and Answers:
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.
Question:
I received a notice from
Social Security recently. It said my name and Social
Security number do not match Social Security’s records. What
should I do?
Answer:
It’s critical that your
name and Social Security number, as shown on your Social
Security card, match your employer’s payroll records and
your W-2 form. If they don’t, here is what you need to do:
-
Give your employer the correct
information exactly as shown on your Social Security
card or your corrected card; or
-
Contact your local Social Security office (www.socialsecurity.gov/locator)
or call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) if your
Social Security card does not show your correct name or
Social Security number.
For more information, visit our
website at
www.socialsecurity.gov.
Question:
How do I report a lost
Social Security card?
Answer:
You do not have to report
a lost Social Security card. In fact, reporting a lost or
stolen card to Social Security will not prevent misuse of
your Social Security number. You should let us know if
someone is using your number to work (call 1-800-772-1213;
TTY 1-800-325-0778).
If you think someone is
using your number, there are several other actions you
should take:
·
Contact the Federal Trade Commission online at
www.ftc.gov/bcdp/edu/microsites/idtheft or call
1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338);
·
File an online complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint
Center at
www.ic3.gov;
·
Contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit by
calling 1-800-908-4490, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.;
and
·
Monitor your credit report.
Question:
Will my son be eligible to receive benefits on his retired
father’s record while going to college?
Answer:
No. At one time, Social Security did pay benefits to
eligible college students. But the law changed in 1981. We
now pay benefits only to students taking courses at grade 12
or below. Normally, benefits stop when children reach age 18
unless they are disabled. However, if children are still
full-time students at a secondary (or elementary) school at
age 18, benefits generally can continue until they graduate
or until two months after they reach age 19, whichever is
first.
Question:
When a person who has
worked and paid Social Security taxes dies, are benefits
payable on that person’s record?
Answer:
Social Security survivors benefits can be paid to:
·
A widow or widower — unreduced benefits at full retirement
age, or reduced benefits as early as age 60;
·
A disabled widow or widower — as early as age 50;
·
A widow or widower at any age if he or she takes care of the
deceased's child who is under age 16 or disabled, and
receiving Social Security benefits;
·
Unmarried children under 18, or up to age 19 if they are
attending high school full time. Under certain
circumstances, benefits can be paid to stepchildren,
grandchildren or adopted children;
·
Children at any age who were disabled before age 22 and
remain disabled; and
·
Dependent parents age 62 or older.
Even if you are divorced,
you still may qualify for survivors benefits. For more
information, go to
www.socialsecurity.gov.
Question:
Is it true I must now
receive my benefits through direct deposit?
Answer:
Anyone applying for
benefits on or after May 1, 2011, will be required to
receive their payments electronically. Paper checks will no
longer be an option for most people. If you don’t have a
bank account, you can get your benefits through the Direct
Express debit MasterCard. Switching from checks to
electronic payments is fast, easy, and free at
www.godirect.org. You also can call the U.S. Treasury
Processing Center’s toll-free helpline at 1-800-333-1795 or
speak with a bank or credit union representative or contact
Social Security for help.
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