Social Security Program Experts Can Answer Your Important Questions
There are many online resources about Social Security, so it is important that you come to us as the first place for answers. You can find many of the answers about our programs and services on our Frequently Asked Questions page. We feature our most-asked questions at the top of the page to help you find answers to the most common questions quickly, like:
- Are Social Security services affected by Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
- What should I do if I receive a call from someone claiming to be a Social Security employee?
- How do I change or correct my name on my Social Security number card?
- How do I apply for a new or replacement Social Security number card?
- How can I get a Social Security Statement that shows a record of my earnings and an estimate of my future benefits?
You can also browse by topics like:
- Disability.
- Social Security Payments.
- Retirement.
- Medicare.
You can visit our publications library for detailed information on nearly all of our topics. We make each publication available in text, audio, and downloadable formats.
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Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner
Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner
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Phoebus Lorenzo
My wife is currently receiving SS retirement benefits and I will claim retirement benefits when I reach FRA in six months. We are raising our 3 year-old grandson who lives with us, and have been thinking about legally adopting him. My question is if we legally adopt our grandson, will he be able to receive SS dependent benefits? If yes, is there a way to estimate our grandson’s potential monthly benefit?
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Phoebus L.
Sue
Thank you for reading our blog, Phoebus, and thank you for your question. Under current law, Social Security can only pay benefits to a grandchild if certain conditions are met. In addition to providing more than 50% of your grandson’s support, his biological parents must be deceased or disabled, or you must have legally adopted him. For details, see “Benefits For Grandchildren”. Your grandson may be able to receive a monthly payment of up to 50% of your wife’s benefit amount or yours, whichever is higher. Social Security payments to family members will not decrease the amount of your retirement benefits. You’ll find more information at “Benefits For Your Children”.
Dania C Otero ( Dania Landrian)
I became american citizen last August and I changed my name. I sent my original documents and the aplication for a new SS card inmediately.They sent them back a few days later
4 month later I have not received my new card. Last month I talked with the person who called me about my ssi annual interview and he found my documents in the system, but until today I have not received the card.
I could not vote in the elections and now I am thinking I do not exist, because with my old name I woukd not be american and with my new name which appears in my citizenship certificate I have not other ID, only the certificate.
I dont understand why it is happening if the website says that in 4 weeks the person receives the new card
I have called many times to the Syracuse office and federal office, but nothing
Please help me
Thank you so much
Vonda
Hi Dania, thanks for using our blog. We are very sorry to hear about the difficulties you are experiencing. Please continue to work with your local Social Security office. Look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Jerald Cross
I currently have Humana. Do I still have the original medicare?
Vonda
Hi Jerald, thanks for using our blog. If you need information about Medicare Savings Programs, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Prescription Drug plans, or the covered services, please call 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048) or visit http://www.medicare.gov. We hope this helps.