Q “I lost my Social Security card, but I remember my number and I don’t plan to change careers anytime soon. Do I really need a new card?”
A The only time you may need the card is when you apply for a job and your prospective employer asks to see it. If you do decide to get a new card or your old one turns up, don’t carry it with you. Keep your card somewhere safe, with your other important papers. You are limited to three replacement cards in a year and 10 during your lifetime. Legal name changes and other exceptions do not count toward these limits. For example, changes in marital status that might require card updates do not count toward these limits. Also, you may not be affected by these limits if you can prove you need the card to prevent a significant hardship. Learn more at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber.
Q “I am 65 and my wife is 62 and receiving spouse’s benefits. When will she qualify for Medicare?”
A Most people must wait until age 65 to apply for Medicare. Some people can get Medicare at any age. This includes people who:
* have been getting Social Security disability benefits for 24 months;
* have kidney failure and require dialysis;
* have had a kidney transplant; or
* receive disability benefits because they suffer from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease).
As someone who already receives retirement benefits, your wife will be enrolled automatically for Medicare coverage when she becomes eligible at age 65. Some people choose to delay filing for Medicare. Such people can now apply online at www.socialsecurity.gov by selecting the “Retirement/ Medicare” bar in the center of the page.
Q “I get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. I plan to move to a new apartment this summer, but I have direct deposit. Do I still need to notify Social Security of my new address?”
A Yes. Even though you have direct deposit, we may still need to contact you by mail. Someone who receives SSI needs to report any change in living arrangements, income, or resources by calling our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or by visiting a local office within 10 days after the month the change occurs. If you call, you can speak to a representative from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on business days. If you don’t notify us in a timely manner, you could end up receiving an incorrect payment and have to pay it back. To learn more about SSI and reporting responsibilities, read our online fact sheet, What You Need To Know When You Get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/11011.html.
Get answers to your Social Security questions each Thursday from the Social Security District Director Martin Coffey. Submit questions 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.