Q: Ms. S of Rising Fawn, Ga., writes: “My husband has sent in several applications for the “Extra Help” in paying his premiums on the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan D. He received a letter saying he was eligible and would be sent more information. His premiums are now due. He really doesn’t have the money to pay them. It has been months since he received his eligibility letter. How does he find out if he is going to get the ‘Extra Help’? I have even written Medicare. I have received no information from them. We have even called his Today’s Option Insurance. They promise to check into this matter and call us back. They never return our call (we have called around four times). We are in trouble and no one will help. We don’t have a computer to get on-line.”
A: A representative from the local Social Security office will call you and your husband to discuss this. We will need his Social Security number to see if he qualifies for the “extra help” in paying his Medicare Prescription Drug premiums.
Q: “What’s this I hear about a one-time recovery payment for Social Security beneficiaries? Will I get a payment?”
A: If you received Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) anytime during the months of November 2008, December 2008 or January 2009, you should receive a one-time recovery payment of $250. On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Among its provisions are one-time payments to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries. You should receive your payment by the end of May. To learn more, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/payment.
Q: “I just got turned down for disability benefits. Can I appeal the decision, or should I file a new application?”
A: You can appeal the decision, and the most convenient way to go about it is to appeal online. An Internet appeal is a starting point to request a review of our decision about your eligibility for disability benefits. If your application is denied for:
— Medical reasons: You can complete and submit the required appeal request online. The disability appeal report asks you for updated information about your medical condition and any treatment, tests or doctor visits since we made our decision. You’ll find it at www.socialsecurity.gov/applyfordisability.
— Non-medical reasons: You should contact your local Social Security office to request the review. You can find your local office by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov and selecting “Find a Social Security Office.” You also may call our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), to request an appeal.
Q: “Can I apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) online?”
A: At this time we do not have an online application for SSI benefits. However, if you are disabled, we do have an online tool that can prepare you to make the application interview go smoothly: our Disability Starter Kit. You can find it online at www.socialsecurity.gov/disability. You’ll find the link in the left-hand corner. While there, you can also prepare for the interview by completing the adult disability report. It’s a part of the starter kit. By completing this report before your application interview, you will save time when you apply. You can schedule your appointment to apply by calling our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
Get answers to your Social Security questions each Thursday from Social Security District Manager Eleanor Jones. Submit questions to her attention by writing to Business Editor John Vass Jr., Chattanooga Times Free Press, P.O. Box 1447, Chattanooga, TN 37401-1447, or by e-mailing him at jvass@timesfreepress.com.
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