Social Security Administration - Columbia Office

Description

Medicare is our country's health insurance program for people age 65 or older. Certain people younger than age 65 can qualify for Medicare, too, including those with disabilities and those who have permanent kidney failure.

Hours

Mon - Fri 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Required Documents

Call or visit the website for information.

Eligibility

You can use the online Medicare application if you: Are at least 64 years and 9 months old; Want to sign up for Medicare but do not currently have ANY Medicare coverage; Do not want to start receiving Social Security benefits at this time; and Are not currently receiving Social Security retirement, disability or survivors benefits. Call or visit the website for details about others who may be eligible for Medicare and how to apply.

Fees

No fee.

Intake Procedure

Many people can start the application process by applying online, by calling the 1-800 number, or by scheduling an appointment with the local Social Security office.

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Description

The Social Security disability insurance program pays benefits to you and certain family members if you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes. (Your adult child also may qualify for benefits on your earnings record if he or she has a disability that started before age 22.)

Hours

Mon - Fri 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Required Documents

Birth certificate or other proof of birth; Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status if you were not born in the United States; U.S. military discharge paper(s) if you had military service before 1968; W-2 forms(s) and/or self-employment tax returns for last year; Medical evidence already in your possession. This includes medical records, doctors' reports, and recent test results; and Award letters, pay stubs, settlement agreements or other proof of any temporary or permanent workers' compensation-type benefits you received

Eligibility

You can use the online application to apply for disability benefits if you: Are age 18 or older; Are not currently receiving benefits on your own Social Security record; Are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death; and Have not been denied disability benefits in the last 60 days. If your application was recently denied, our Internet Appeal application is a starting point to request a review of the determination we made. Call the office or visit the website for more information or if you need to schedule an appointment with the local office.

Fees

No fee.

Intake Procedure

Many people can start the application process by applying online, by calling the 1-800 number, or by scheduling an appointment with the local Social Security office.

Geography Served

Telephone Numbers

Description

When you work and pay Social Security taxes, you earn credits toward Social Security benefits. The number of credits you need to get retirement benefits depends on when you were born. If you were born in 1929 or later, you need 40 credits (10 years of work). If you stop working before you have enough credits to qualify for benefits, the credits will remain on your Social Security record. If you return to work later, you can add more credits to qualify. We can’t pay any retirement benefits until you have the required number of credits.

Hours

Mon - Fri 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Required Documents

Call or visit the website for information.

Eligibility

You can apply online for retirement benefits or benefits as a spouse if you: are at least 61 years and 8 months old; are not currently receiving benefits on your own Social Security record; have not already applied for retirement benefits; and want your benefits to start no more than 4 months in the future. (We cannot process your application if you apply for benefits more than 4 months in advance.) Call the local office or visit the website for more details and additional situations where you may qualify for benefits.

Fees

No fee.

Intake Procedure

Many people can start the application process by applying online, by calling the 1-800 number, or by scheduling an appointment with the local Social Security office.

Geography Served

Telephone Numbers

Description

People may be eligible for a one-time death benefit of $255, as well as monthly survivors insurance payments.

Hours

Mon - Fri 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Required Documents

Call or visit the website for information.

Eligibility

Certain family members may be eligible to receive monthly benefits, including: A widow or widower age 60 or older (age 50 or older if disabled); A surviving divorced spouse, under certain circumstances; A widow or widower at any age who is caring for the deceased’s child who is under age 16 or disabled and receiving benefits on their record; An unmarried child of the deceased who is: Younger than age 18 (or up to age 19 if he or she is a full-time student in an elementary or secondary school); or Age 18 or older with a disability that began before age 22. Visit the website or call the toll-free number for additional information.

Fees

No fee.

Intake Procedure

You cannot report a death or apply for survivors benefits online. Please call the 1-800 number or make an appointment at the local office.

Geography Served

Telephone Numbers

Description

SSI stands for Supplemental Security Income. Social Security administers this program. We pay monthly benefits to people with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or age 65 or older. Blind or disabled children may also get SSI.

Hours

Mon - Fri 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Required Documents

Call or visit the website for information.

Eligibility

Anyone who is: aged (age 65 or older); blind; or disabled. And, who: has limited income; has limited resources; is a U.S. citizen or national, or in one of certain categories of aliens; NOTE: In general, an alien who is subject to an active warrant for deportation or removal does not meet the citizenship/alien requirement. is a resident of one of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands; is not absent from the country for a full calendar month or for 30 consecutive days or more; is not confined to an institution (such as a hospital or prison) at the government’s expense; applies for any other cash benefits or payments for which he or she may be eligible, (for example, pensions, Social Security benefits); gives SSA permission to contact any financial institution and request any financial records about you; files an application; and meets certain other requirements.

Fees

No fee.

Intake Procedure

Many people can start the application process by applying online, by calling the 1-800 number, or by scheduling an appointment with the local Social Security office.

Geography Served

Telephone Numbers