Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884

Articles written by Josh Weller


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  • Will remarrying affect my Social Security benefits?

    Josh Weller, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Denver, Colorado|Nov 28, 2024

    Are you getting remarried? If so, we can help you with Social Security related questions regarding your remarriage. You may be wondering how your new marriage affects your Social Security benefits now or in the future. Remarrying may affect your benefits if you receive (or expect to receive) any of the following: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments – Your SSI eligibility and payment amount may change (or stop) due to your new spouse’s income and resources. Surviving spouse or divorced surviving spouse benefits If you remarry before age...

  • Happy Thanksgiving from Social Security

    Josh Weller, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Denver, Colorado|Nov 21, 2024

    Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on our blessings and to share memories with our loved ones. During this holiday season and throughout life’s journey, we are here to help provide you and your family with services, benefits and information about our programs. Social Security is more than just a retirement program. We provide services that assist many families across this country. We are there for joyous moments like the birth of your child and issuing their first Social Security card. We are there during times of hardship and tragedy to p...

  • Veterans and active-duty military members: Social Security has your back!

    Josh Weller, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Denver, Colorado|Nov 7, 2024

    Veterans Day is on Monday, November 11, 2024. We honor all veterans who served our country and risked their lives to protect us. If you know a veteran, please let them know about our Military and Veterans webpage at www.ssa.gov/people/veterans. On that page, we have information about Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits for veterans, including: How SSDI benefits are different from benefits available through the Department of Veterans Affairs and require a separate application. How we expedite the processing of Social Security di...

  • Social Security installs new kiosks to improve customer check-in process

    Josh Weller, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Denver, Colorado|Oct 24, 2024

    At Social Security we strive to make our services more accessible while maintaining your privacy. We installed new kiosks in most of our local offices to make it easier for you to check in and conduct business with us. The kiosks are private, easy to use without assistance and provide consistent service to our customers. Modifications to earlier screens have improved the check-in process, especially for our customers who are blind or have low vision. Each kiosk is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and includes the...

  • Why it's important to tell us about changes when you get Social Security benefits

    Josh Weller, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Denver, Colorado|Oct 17, 2024

    If you receive Social Security, you can help to make sure we pay you the right benefit each month. You can do that by telling us about relationship or other life changes that could affect your eligibility for retirement, survivors, or disability benefits – or the benefit amount. You and your family may miss out on additional payments you may be due if you don’t report changes to us in a timely manner. Or you may be overpaid benefits and have to pay us back. What you need to tell us To make sure you are paid correctly and receive the pay...

  • National Savings Day reminds us to plan for the future

    Josh Weller, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Denver, Colorado|Oct 10, 2024

    October 12 is National Savings Day. It serves as an important reminder to plan for your financial future. Social Security is a vital part of any financial plan. We have online tools to help you understand your potential benefits and how they fit into your financial future. Regardless of your age, you should periodically review your Social Security Statement (Statement) using your personal my Social Security account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount. Your Statement is an easy-to-read summary of the estimated benefits you and your family could receive,...

  • Stay healthy and independent with Senior Nutrition Programs

    Josh Weller, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Denver, Colorado|Oct 3, 2024

    Are you eligible for Social Security retirement benefits or already receiving them? Did you know that you can also receive healthy meals and other nutrition services through the national Senior Nutrition Program? Local meal programs in communities across the country are waiting to serve you. As we age, we have different needs, different ways we take care of our health and different nutrients we need to get from our food. But we don’t always have enough healthy food or the desire to prepare or eat a meal. Whether you need more food, healthier f...

  • How we protect you from misleading advertising and communications

    Josh Weller, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Denver, Colorado|Sep 12, 2024

    Social Security works with our Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to protect you from scams that use Social Security as bait. Section 1140 of the Social Security Act allows OIG to impose severe penalties against anyone who engages in misleading Social Security-related advertising or imposter communications. OIG may impose a penalty against anyone who: • Mails misleading solicitations that appear to be from or authorized by Social Security. • Operates an imposter website or social media account designed to look like it belongs to or is aut...

  • Social security supports rural communities

    Josh Weller, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Denver, Colorado|Aug 29, 2024

    Social Security touches the lives of nearly every American. Millions count on us — retirees, people no longer able to work due to disability, dependents and survivors. As a member of the Rural Partners Network, we want to continue reaching out to rural communities. We make it easy for you to access our programs and services. Our website offers a convenient way to apply online for benefits. Visit www.ssa.gov/applyonline to learn how to apply for: • Retirement or Spouse’s Benefits – You must be at least 61 years and 9 months and want your be...

  • Social Security's top five ways to protect against identity theft

    Josh Weller, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Denver, Colorado|Jul 11, 2024

    Identity theft is when someone uses your personal information to impersonate you or steal from you. It is important that you stay safe online. Please review these data privacy and identity protection resources: 1. A great online resource is www.ssa.gov/myaccount. You can visit this page to open a secure my Social Security account, keep track of your earnings record, and identify any suspicious activity. 2. Our blog post, Protect Yourself from Identity Thieves, helps you understand how to spot, prevent, and report identity theft. You can check o...

  • Celebrate your independence with social security

    Josh Weller, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Denver, Colorado|Jun 27, 2024

    Every July 4, we celebrate our nation’s independence. For nearly 90 years, our programs have helped create financial independence for millions of hardworking people. We have useful online resources like the Social Security Statement (Statement) and our benefits estimator tool that helps people not yet receiving benefits. The Statement shows the benefits that you and your family may be eligible for and provides personalized fact sheets tailored to your age and earnings situation. The benefits estimator tool allows you to get estimates based o...

  • Why it's important to tell Social Security about your financial accounts

    Josh Weller, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Denver, Colorado|Jun 6, 2024

    Do you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI)? If so, you need to tell us about any financial accounts you own, alone or with someone else. That’s because SSI is a needs-based program, and eligibility is determined by your resources as well as your income. Examples of financial accounts include: • Checking, savings and credit union accounts. • Christmas club accounts. • Certificates of deposit, also known as CDs. • Stocks and U.S. savings bonds. What you need to tell us You need to tell us about changes to your financial accounts or accoun...

  • Social Security omits food from in-kind support and maintenance calculations

    Josh Weller, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Denver, Colorado|May 30, 2024

    Supplement Security Income (SSI) provides monthly payments to adults and children with a disability or blindness. It also provides monthly payments to adults aged 65 and older, who have limited income and resources. SSI benefits help pay for basic needs like rent, food, clothing, and medicine. People applying for and receiving SSI must meet eligibility requirements, including income and resource limits. Under our current rules, we include food assistance as unearned income when calculating In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM). We understand th...

  • Social Security honors our military heroes

    Josh Weller, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Denver, Colorado|May 23, 2024

    On Memorial Day, our nation honors military service members who have given their lives to preserve our freedoms. Families, friends and communities come together to remember the great sacrifices of military members and ensure their legacies live on. The benefits we provide can help the families of deceased military service members. For example, surviving spouses and dependent children may be eligible for Social Security survivors’ benefits. You can learn more about those benefits at www.ssa.gov/benefits/survivors. We also offer support to w...

  • Social Security supports small businesses

    Josh Weller, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Denver, Colorado|Apr 11, 2024

    Running a small business can be a 24-7 endeavor. Managing employees, inventory, scheduling, services, and marketing can be challenging. If you’re a small business owner, or you work for one, our online suite of services can help make your life easier. Our online business services at www.ssa.gov/employer will save you valuable time when you file electronic W-2s and W-2Cs and verify employee names and Social Security numbers. Small business owners can also take advantage of our Business Services Online at www.ssa.gov/bso/bsowelcome.htm. You m...

  • Plan for your future during Financial Literacy Month

    Josh Weller, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Denver, Colorado|Mar 28, 2024

    We celebrate Financial Literacy Month (FLM) every April to promote financial education and well-being in the United States. FLM also serves as a reminder that Social Security is a vital part of any financial plan. Our online tools are here to help you understand your potential Social Security benefits and how they fit into your financial future. You should periodically review your Social Security Statement (Statement) using your personal my Social Security account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount. Your Statement is an easy-to-read summary of the...

  • Making the most of America Saves Week 2024

    Josh Weller, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Denver, Colorado|Mar 14, 2024

    America Saves Week, which runs from April 8 to 12 this year, is an excellent opportunity for organizations to promote good financial habits and for people to assess their own saving status. This year’s theme is “Saving for What Matters Most.” Planning and saving are key to a successful retirement. The earlier you start saving for retirement, the better off you will be. People with a plan are twice as likely to save successfully. Set a goal, make a plan, and save automatically. During America Saves Week, we encourage you to pledge to start...

  • Social Security celebrates Women's History Month

    Josh Weller, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Denver, Colorado|Mar 7, 2024

    March is Women’s History Month — a time to focus not just on the past, but also on the challenges women continue to face in the 21st century. At Social Security, we provide vital benefits and financial protection for women. Nearly 55% of people receiving Social Security benefits are women. Today, more women work, pay Social Security taxes and earn credit toward monthly retirement income than at any other time in our nation’s history. Women have longer average life expectancies and tend to live more years in retirement than men. This means women...

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