Q “I applied for a replacement Social Security card last week but have not received it. When should I expect to receive my new card?”
A It takes about 10 to 14 days to receive a replacement Social Security card. We’re working harder than ever to protect you, prevent identity theft, and ensure the integrity of your Social Security number.
To do that, we have to verify documents you present as proof of identity. In such cases, we must verify the documents before we can issue the card. For more information about your Social Security card and number, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber.
Q “Someone told me that my mom might be able to qualify for a ‘compassionate allowance’ because of her Alzheimer’s. Is this true?”
A She might, but the only way to know for sure is for her to submit an application for disability benefits. Compassionate allowances are a way of quickly identifying diseases and other medical conditions that clearly qualify for Social Security and supplemental security income disability benefits.
The process allows us to identify and make speedy decisions for the most obviously disabled individuals. Recently 38 more conditions were added to our original list of 50 conditions — 25 rare diseases and 25 cancers.
The expansion of the list means tens of thousands of Americans with devastating disabilities, such as early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, now can get approved for benefits in a matter of days, rather than months or years. To learn more, and to see a complete list of the compassionate allowance conditions, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances.
Q “I’m blind and can’t read my mail. Is there any other way you can send me correspondence?”
A Yes. You can choose from five ways to receive information from us if you are blind or have a visual impairment:
* Standard print notices by first-class mail;
* Standard print notices by certified mail;
* Standard print notices by first-class mail, followed by a telephone call within five work days to read the information to you;
* Standard print notices and Braille by first-class mail; or
* Standard print notices and compact disc by first-class mail. The compact disc will play only on a computer with software that can read Microsoft Word files.
In addition, if you have a question about a Social Security notice you receive, you may call our toll-free number, 800-772-1213 and ask us to read the notice to you, or ask about receiving notice in one of the alternative formats.
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.