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File 05-11011.TXT
Uploaded from F.L.I.C.net on 16-NOV-93
1-(607)-272-1549 (7 days-24 hours, 8-N-1)
F.L.I.C.net operated by the:
Finger Lakes Independence Center
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Ithaca NY, 14850
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SYSOP: Jon W. Merritt
Virus Scanned, McAfee Associates 9.12 V100
U.S. Department Of Health and Human Services
Social Security Administration
SSA Publication No. 05-11011
January 1992
ICN 480265
Social Security Booklet Title "When You Get SSI... What You Need To Know"
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NOTE: Page 1 is front cover, Page 2 is blank.
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Page 3
Why You Should Read This Booklet
This booklet is for people who get Supplemental Security Income
(SSI) checks. The first part, "Your SSI Checks," tells about your
checks and what you can expect from Social Security. The second
part, "What You Should Report To Us," tells what changes you must
report. The third part tells how and when to report changes. The
fourth part explains some special rules for people who get SSI
disability. The last part of the booklet explains other things
all SSI recipients should know.
Please take a few minutes now to read the booklet. Then put it in
a safe place and look at it now and then. This will help remind
you to report any changes to us and remind you of things you
should know.
If you get Social Security retirement or survivors benefits, you
also should read, When You Get Social Security Retirement Or
Survivors Benefits--What You Need To Know. If you get Social
Security disability benefits, you should read, When You Get
Social Security Disability Benefits-- What You Need To Know. You
can get these booklets from Social Security.
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Page 4
What's Inside
Page 6 Part 1--Your SSI Checks
Amount Of Your Check
When Does Your Check Come?
If Your Check Is Lost Or Stolen
Direct Deposit Of Checks
Returning Payments Not Due
Reviewing Your Case
Page 10 Part 2--What You Should Report To Us
If You Move Or Change Your Address
If Someone Moves Into Or Out Of Your Household
If There's A Change In Your Income
If There's A Change In The Things You Own
If You Get Help With Living Expenses
If You Enter Or Leave An Institution
If You Get Married, Separated, Or Divorced
If You Leave The United States
If You Are A Sponsored Immigrant
If You Are Under Age 22 And Start Or Stop Attending School
If A Person Addicted to Drugs or Alcohol Stops Treatment
If A Person Getting SSI Can't Manage Money
If A Person Getting SSI Dies
Special Rules For People In Some States
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Page 5
Page 21 Part 3--How And When To Report Changes
How To Report
When To Report
Page 22 Part 4--Other Things You Should Know If You Get SSI
Disability
If You Get Better
Reviewing Your Disability
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Special Rules To Help You Work And Keep Your SSI
A Special Note For People Who Get SSI Because They're Blind
Page 24 Part 5--Other Things All SSI Recipients Should Know
If You Disagree With A Decision We Make
Your Right To Be Represented
If A Social Security Employee Visits You
Free Social Security Services
Social Services
Food Stamps
A Special Note For People With Medicare
For More Information
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Page 6
Part 1 Your SSI Checks
This section tells about your SSI checks and what you can expect
from Social Security.
Amount Of Your Check
The letter you got with this booklet tells when your SSI checks
will begin and in what amount. Your SSI check must be cashed
within 12 months after the date of the check or it will be void.
Your first month's SSI check may be for more or less than a full
month. You will be paid for the days since you applied or became
eligible for SSI. Starting with your second check, you will get
your full month's payment.
The amount of your SSI check may not be the same every month. The
amount depends on your other income and living arrangements. We
will tell you whenever we plan to change the amount of your
check.
Your first and second check will be based on your first month's
income. After that, your SSI check is usually based on your
income from 2 months before.
Your Federal SSI check will go up each year to keep up with the
cost of living. These increases usually will be in your January
check, which you'll get at the end of December.
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Page 7
When Does Your Check Come?
Your SSI checks are U.S. Government checks. They usually come in
the mail on the 1st of the month. If you have direct deposit,
your money is usually in your account on the 1st.
If the 1st falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, you'll
get your check on the banking day before.
If your check doesn't come on the usual day, look for it to come
in the next few days. If it doesn't come by the 4th of the month,
give us a call. We'll find out what happened and see that you get
your check.
If Your Check Is Lost Or Stolen
If your check is lost or stolen, call us right away. Your check
can be replaced but it takes time, so please be very careful with
your checks.
It's a good idea not to sign your check until you're at the bank
or place where you'll cash it. If you sign a check and then lose
it, anybody who finds it can cash it.
Direct Deposit Of Checks
You can have your checks sent directly to your checking or
savings account in a bank, credit union, or other financial
institution. Then, you won't have to worry about lost or stolen
checks and you won't have to stand in line to cash your checks.
If you want to sign up for direct deposit, give us a call.
If you already have direct deposit of your checks and you don't
want it any more, give us a call. We'll have
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Page 8
your check sent to your home or someplace else if you want. If
you decide to change banks, don't close your old account until
your check starts going to your new account.
Returning Payments Not Due
Most of the time your SSI check will be in the right amount. But
if you ever get more money than usual, call or visit your Social
Security office. If the check is more than you are supposed to
get, you must return the extra money to Social Security. You must
return it even if it's not your fault you got it.
If you ever get a check you know you aren't supposed to get, you
should take it to any Social Security office. Or, you can send
the check back to the U.S. Treasury Department at the address
shown on the envelope it came in. Write a note telling why you're
returning the check and mail it back with the check.
If you have direct deposit and get a payment you aren't supposed
to get, call or visit your Social Security office. They'll tell
you how you can return it.
Reviewing Your Case
We look at every SSI case from time to time to make sure that
people getting checks should still get them and are getting the
right amount. These reviews are required by law. We'll tell you
when it's time for your review. The review will be done by mail,
phone, or in person in the Social Security office.
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Page 9
We'll ask you the same kind of questions you answered when you
signed up for SSI. We'll need information about your income, the
things you own, your living arrangements, and your bank accounts.
You should keep savings or checking account statements you get
from your bank because you may need them when we review your
case. If you work, keep your pay slips because we may need them,
too.
NOTE: Don't wait for your review to tell us about any changes.
You should report a change as soon as it happens. The section
about reporting changes starts on page 10.
If you get SSI because of a disability, see page 22 for
information about reviewing your case.
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Page 10
Part 2 What You Should Report To Us
This section tells what you must report to us. Page 21 tells how
and when to report.
The kinds of things you must report to us are listed below. If
any of these things affect you, turn to the page shown for more
information.
Page
If you move or change your address 11
If someone moves into or out of your household 11
If there's a change in your income 11
If there's a change in the things you own 14
If you get help with living expenses 16
If you enter or leave an institution 16
If you get married, separated, or divorced 17
If you leave the United States 17
If you are a sponsored immigrant 17
If you are under age 22 and start or stop attending school 18
If a person addicted to drugs or alcohol stops treatment 19
If a person getting SSI can't manage money 19
If a person getting SSI dies 19
If you live in California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, New
York, or Vermont, see page 20 for other things you should tell
us.
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Page 11
If You Move Or Change Your Address
Let us know if you move or change your address. You must tell us
your new address even if you get your checks by direct deposit
rather than by mail. We need your address so we can send you
information about your checks and so we can contact you to make
sure you should still get checks. If we can't find you, your
checks will be stopped.
Also tell your post office your new address. Then, if the Social
Security office doesn't get your new address in time to change it
on your next check, the post office will send your check to your
new address.
If Someone Moves Into Or Out Of Your Household
Let us know if there is a change in the number of people who live
with you. You must tell us if:
* Someone moves into or out of your home,
* Someone who lives with you dies,
* You or someone who lives with you has a baby.
Also, let us know if you start living in someone else's home or
if you move out of someone else's home.
If There's A Change In Your Income
If you have income other than your SSI checks, you must tell us
about it. Also, tell us if the amount of your income changes or
stops. Usually, changes in your income in a month will affect
your SSI check 2 months later.
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Page 12
If you're married, you also should let us know about any change
in your husband's or wife's income.
If you have a child under 18 who gets SSI and lives with you,
tell us about any change in:
* The child's income,
* Your income,
* The income of your husband or wife, and
* The income of a child in your home who is not getting SSI.
Also tell us if a child in your home who is not getting SSI
marries. If a child who is working or is age 18-20 starts or
stops attending school, tell us that, too.
If you also get Social Security checks, you don't have to tell us
when you get a Social Security benefit increase. But, if your
husband or wife gets Social Security checks, you should tell us
about any change in his or her benefits.
Under SSI, income includes cash, checks, and other things you get
that can be used for food, clothing, or shelter. It even includes
items you wouldn't have to report for Federal, State, or local
income taxes. Following are examples of income.
* Wages from your job, whether in cash or another form;
* Net earnings from your business if you're self-employed;
* The value of food, shelter, or clothing that someone gives you,
or the amount of money they give you to help pay for them;
* Veterans Administration (VA) benefits;
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Page 13
* Railroad retirement and railroad unemployment benefits;
* Annuities, pensions from any government or private source,
workers' compensation, unemployment insurance benefits, black
lung benefits, and Social Security benefits;
* Prizes, settlements, and awards, including court-ordered
awards;
* Proceeds of life insurance policies;
* Gifts and contributions;
* Support and alimony payments;
* Inheritances in cash or property;
* Interest earned, including interest on savings, checking, and
other accounts;
* Rental income;
* Strike pay and other benefits from unions.
The following items are not income.
* Medical care and services;
* Social services;
* Receipts from the sale, exchange, or replacement of things you
own;
* Income tax refunds;
* Earned Income Tax Credit payments;
* Payments made by life or disability insurance on charge
accounts or other credit accounts;
* Proceeds of a loan;
* Bills paid by someone else for things other than food,
clothing, or shelter;
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Page 14
* Replacement of lost or stolen income;
* Weatherization assistance.
Some things we normally count as "income" will not reduce your
SSI check. For example, under certain conditions, home energy
assistance provided by certain home energy suppliers isn't
counted as income. Food, clothing, shelter, or home energy
assistance provided free or at a reduced rate by private
nonprofit organizations also isn't counted. But, you should still
tell us about these things.
If There's A Change In The Things You Own
Tell us if there is any change in what you own. A single person
can own things worth up to $2,000 and still get SSI. A couple can
own as much as $3,000.
Many of the things you own aren't counted, however. Your home and
the land it's on don't count. Depending on how much they're
worth, household goods, personal property, and a car may not
count. Up to $1,500 in burial funds for you and up to $1,500 in
burial funds for your husband or wife don't count. Burial plots
for you and your immediate family also aren't counted.
Some of the things we do count are:
* Cash,
* Your checking and savings accounts,
* Christmas club account,
* Certificates of deposit, and
* Stocks and bonds.
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Page 15
If you are single and the things you own that we count add up to
more than $2,000, tell us. If you are living with your husband or
wife and the things you own that we count add up to more than
$3,000, tell us.
Any back checks you get from SSI or Social Security won't be
counted for 6 months after you get them. If you have any back
payments left over after the 6-month period, they will count.
If you agreed to sell property so you could receive SSI, you
should tell us when you sell it. If you don't sell the property,
you may not be able to get any more SSI checks. And you may have
to return any checks we already sent you.
If your name is on any bank accounts with another person or other
people, you must tell us about the account even if you do not
consider that the money belongs to you. You must tell us about
such an account even if you don't use the money or account. If
someone wants to add your name to an account, check with us
first. If the money isn't really yours or if it's for a special
purpose like your medical expenses, we can tell you how to set up
the account so it will not affect your SSI.
Also, tell us if you or your husband or wife buys, sells, or
becomes the owner of any real estate, a car, or personal
property.
If you have a child who gets SSI, you should tell us about
changes in the things the child owns and the things you and your
husband or wife own.
If you aren't sure if something counts, give us a call. It's our
job to help you figure it out.
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Page 16
If You Get Help With Living Expenses
If someone gives you money, food, clothing, or free housing, let
us know. Also, tell us if other people help to pay for your food,
utilities, rent, or mortgage, or if the amount they pay changes.
If you used to get these things but don't get them now, tell us
that, too.
If You Enter Or Leave An Institution
You must tell us if you enter or leave a residential institution,
hospital, skilled nursing facility, nursing home, intermediate
care facility, halfway house, jail, prison, public emergency
shelter, or any other kind of institution. Let us know the name
of the institution and the date you entered or left. If you
aren't able to tell us, ask someone in the institution's office
to help you.
You usually cannot get SSI while in an institution.
If you enter a medical institution, it's especially important to
tell us right away. There are special rules if you enter a
medical institution for a stay of less than 90 days. Often, you
can keep getting your SSI checks if we learn about it right away.
Your doctor must sign a statement about how long you will stay.
You must sign a statement that you still need to pay expenses for
your home while you're in the institution. We must get both
statements by the 90th day you are in the institution, or the day
you leave if that's earlier. But please get us the statements as
soon as possible.
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Page 17
If You Get Married, Separated, Or Divorced
Tell us if you get married or if your marriage ends. Also, tell
us if you separate from your husband or wife. If you are
separated now, tell us if you begin to live together again.
If You Leave The United States
Leaving the United States means leaving the 50 States, the
District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands. Usually,
if you leave the United States for 30 days or more, you can no
longer get SSI.
If you plan to leave the United States, tell us before you leave.
We need to know the date you plan to leave the U.S. and the date
you plan to come back. Then we can tell you if your checks will
be affected.
Once you have been outside the U.S. for 30 or more days in a row,
your checks can't start again until you have been back in the
U.S. for at least 30 straight days.
There are special rules for dependent children of military
personnel who leave the U.S. They may continue to get SSI while
overseas if they were receiving SSI in the month before their
parent reported for overseas duty.
If You Are A Sponsored Immigrant
If you are an immigrant who is sponsored by a U.S. resident, a
special rule applies to you. In deciding whether you can get SSI
and how much your check will be, we
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Page 18
look at the income of, and things owned by, all the following
people:
* Yourself (including anything you still have in your homeland);
* Your husband or wife;
* Your parents if you are under 18;
* Your sponsor; and
* Your sponsor's husband or wife.
For 3 years after you enter the U.S., you must report any changes
in the income of, and things owned by, the above people. After
the 3-year period, you have to report only changes of your own,
your spouse, and your parents if you are under 18. Read pages 11
through 15 for more information about the rules on income and
things you own.
This special rule doesn't apply to you if you're a refugee or if
you have been granted asylum. It also doesn't apply if you become
blind or disabled after being admitted for permanent residence to
the U.S. If you are a sponsored immigrant and become blind or
disabled, call your Social Security office.
If You Are Under Age 22 And Start Or Stop Attending School
If you are under 22, tell us if you start or stop attending
school regularly. It may affect your SSI. Also, tell us the date
your attendance changed.
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Page 19
If A Person Addicted to Drugs Or Alcohol Stops Treatment
Whoever is responsible for handling SSI checks for someone who is
addicted to drugs or alcohol should tell us if the person stops
taking treatment. People with these addictions can get SSI checks
only as long as they continue with required treatment.
If A Person Getting SSI Can't Manage Money
Sometimes a person is unable to manage his or her own funds. If
this happens, Social Security should be told. We can then arrange
to send the checks to a "representative payee." A representative
payee is a relative or someone else who agrees to manage and use
the money for the well-being of the person getting SSI.
If A Person Getting SSI Dies
If someone getting SSI dies, somebody should tell us. If there is
a surviving husband or wife who is getting SSI, the amount may be
changed.
Any checks sent after the month of death or any checks not cashed
or deposited before death must be returned.
If a person's checks were being deposited directly into an
account in a bank, the bank should also be ~old of the person's
death. The bank will return the checks. Checks sent to the
account of a deceased recipient should not be withdrawn.
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P.20
If an SSI recipient has a representative payee and the payee
dies, someone should tell us.
Special Rules For People In Some States
If you live in one of the following States, there are some other
things you must report to us:
* California--Let us know if you were eating your meals away from
home regularly and now you are eating at home. Also let us know
if you were regularly eating at home and now you eat out.
* Hawaii, Michigan, or Vermont--Tell us if you live in a facility
that provides different levels of care and the level of care you
get changes.
* Massachusetts--Tell us if you (or you and your wife or husband)
were paying over two-thirds of the living expenses for the
household and now you pay less. Also, tell us if you were paying
less than two-thirds of these expenses but now you pay more.
* New York--Let us know if you were regularly eating your meals
away from home and you are now eating at home. Or, tell us if you
were eating your meals at home and now you eat out. Also, if you
live with other people, tell us if you used to prepare your meals
by yourself and now you prepare meals together. Or, tell us if
you were preparing your meals with other people and now you
prepare your meals alone.
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Part 3 How And When To Report Changes
How To Report
You can make your report by calling us at 1-800-772-1213. When you
call, please have your Social Security number handy. You also can
report by mail or in person. If you mail your report, be sure it
shows:
* The name of the person the report is about;
* The Social Security number of the person who gets SSI checks;
* The change being reported;
* The date the change happened; and
* Your signature, address, and phone number.
When To Report
You must report a change within 10 days after the month it
happens. You should report a change even if you're late.
If you don't report a change, you may miss out on money you need
if the change will mean you can get a bigger check. Or, you may
get too much money and have to pay it back.
If you don't report a change or if you make a false statement and
get money you aren't supposed to, Social Security will make you
pay back the money. It also can result in a fine, imprisonment,
or both.
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Page 22
Part 4 Other Things You Should Know If You Get SSI Disability
If You Get Better
If you get SSI because of a disability or blindness, you must
tell us if your condition improves. If your disability ends, your
SSI will stop after a short adjustment period.
Reviewing Your Disability
If you get SSI because of a disability, we will occasionally
review your case to make sure you're still disabled. How often we
review your case depends on how bad your disability is. If your
disability is expected to improve, we'll probably review your
case 6-8 months after your checks start.
When we review your disability, we may ask you to take special
tests so we can decide if you are still disabled.
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
If you get SSI because of a disability, you may be contacted by
your State's vocational rehabilitation agency. The people there
may offer you help so you can return to work. If you're offered
vocational rehabilitation services, you should take them. If you
refuse to accept these services, your SSI checks can be stopped.
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Page 23
Special Rules To Help You Work And Keep Your SSI
Tell us right away if you go to work--no matter how little you
earn. There are special SSI rules to help you try to work. Your
SSI checks may continue while you work and are still disabled. As
your earnings go up, your SSI checks will go down and may
eventually stop. Even if your SSI checks stop, you may be able to
keep your Medicaid coverage. Medicaid coverage may continue if
you depend on it to work and don't earn enough to pay for similar
medical help.
Tell us if you have any special work expenses because of your
disability. These include items and services you need to work
because of your disability. Some examples are a wheelchair,
attendant care services, Braille devices, and certain drugs and
medical services. The earnings you use to pay for these expenses
don't count as income so they won't lower the amount of your SSI
check.
If you work or would like to work, you may be able to have a
"plan for achieving self-support." Such a plan allows you to put
aside money to help you become more fully employed. A plan can
help you with expenses for things such as education, vocational
training, work related equipment, or starting a business. Having
a plan usually means you can keep more of your SSI because the
money you set aside won't lower your SSI check. As your earnings
increase, it becomes more important for you to develop a plan.
You can get more information about all the special rules to help
you work from any Social Security office.
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Page 24
Ask for the booklet, Working While Disabled ... How Social
Security Can Help (SSA Publication No. 05-10095).
A Special Note For People Who Get SSI Because They're Blind
You can ask us for special handling of the letters we send you
about changes in your SSI. We have two ways to give you these
special letters. We can either telephone you or send your letters
by certified mail.
If you work, be sure to tell us if any of your work expenses
change. We don't count your work expenses as income so they won't
lower the amount of your SSI.
Part 5 Other Things All SSI Recipients Should Know
This section tells you other things you should know when you get
SSI checks.
If You Disagree With A Decision We Make
If you ever disagree with a decision we make about your checks,
you have the right to ask us to look at it again. Whenever we
send you a letter about your SSl, we'll tell you what to do if
you disagree.
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Page 25
Your Right To Be Represented
You have the right to be represented by an attorney, or other
person of your choice, in any business you have with us. This
doesn't mean you'll need a representative. Most people handle
their business themselves with the help of the people in the
Social Security office. But, if you want somebody else to help
you, we will be glad to work with your representative.
There are special rules about who may represent you and what your
representative may do. If you want more information, call us to
get a copy of the fact sheet, "Social Security And Your Right To
Representation" (SSA Publication No. 05-10075).
If A Social Security Employee Visits You
If anyone comes to your home to talk about your SSI, ask for his
or her identification. Anyone who is from Social Security will be
glad to show you proper identification.
If you have any doubts about the person, you can call us to ask
if someone was sent to see you. And remember: Social Security
employees will never ask you for money to have something done.
It's their job to help you.
Free Social Security Services
You never have to pay for information or service at Social
Security. Some businesses advertise that they can provide name
changes, Social Security cards, or earnings statements for a fee.
All these services are provided free by Social Security. So don't
pay for something that's free.
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Page 26
Call us first. Social Security is the best place to get
information about Social Security.
Social Services
People who get SSI may also be able to get social services from
the State they live in. These services include free meals,
housekeeping help, transportation, or help with social problems.
You can get information about services in your area from your
State or local social services or welfare office.
Food Stamps
People who get SSI can usually get food stamps, too. You can get
a food stamp application at your Social Security office or local
social services or welfare office.
A Special Note For People With Medicare
There's special help for low-income Medicare beneficiaries. Your
State may pay your Medicare premiums, deductibles, and
coinsurance. If you're paying your Medicare premiums yourself or
if you chose not to be covered because you couldn't afford it,
contact your State or local medical assistance (Medicaid) office
to ask about the "Qualified Medicare Beneficiary" program. It
might save you money.
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Page 27
For More Information
If you need more information about SSI, or have questions about
other Social Security programs, call or visit any local Social
Security office. Our toll-free telephone number is
1-800-772-1213.
When you call be sure to have your Social Security number handy.
The Social Security Administration treats all calls
confidentially--whether they're made to our toll-free number or
to one of our local offices. We also want to ensure that you
receive accurate and courteous service. That is why we have a
second Social Security representative listen to some incoming and
outgoing telephone calls.