COMMUNITY! If you receive social security, be sure to download your online file now -- the entire contents -- your benefit letter, your 1099, your history of earnings, ALL OF IT. While we cannot be sure what will happen, the ex SSA head has warned that the entire payment system could collapse in 30-90 days, so get a copy of your files now. It is better to be safe than sorry.
It would not be unusual for T's people to knock everyone off social security and force them to return to the remaining SSA offices with documents proving they are who they are and that they are bonified recipients of SSA. This action would mean a long delay in starting up benefits again. For those with no proof, it could be devastating. So copy and paste and print now. Make sure you have your birth certificate as well as any identification in a safe accessible place.
https://www.mobilize.us/savesocialsecurityandmedicarenow/event/759905/
My husband and I are attending this event. Martin O'Malley is the former Social Security Commissioner for the Biden administration and former governor of Massachusetts.
Check it out in your area!
I tried to do that very thing but get this, I got a message that I had to wait for a letter that would contain an access code so that I could get into my SSA for the first time. This was not the first time I accessed the account. The letter will take 3-5 weeks to arrive!!!! It alarmed me.
This fellow is also helpful regarding social security: Similar advice but he has multiple videos.
Dr. Ed Weir, PhD, Former Social Security Manager
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHjdQyxdMXw
I think it would also be a good idea to make sure you have a passport and that it is up to date.
I renewed mine last month because it was getting ready to expire.
I applied online. This entailed filling out a form, sending in a digital copy of my photo (which I had taken at CVS), and snail mailing them my existing passport. It was quite simple. I was a little nervous about having to relinquish my passport but the new one came in the mail in about a week! If you still a valid passport it can be very quick. (Or at least it was quick a month ago when I did it.
If you *don't* have a passport I think it would be a good idea to get one just in case things get crazy and you need to leave the country. Or, in case "goons" come around checking ID's-- then you will more than a driver's license. I keep my passport up to date even in normal times.
I am increasingly concerned. I went to the Social Security site to see if I could get on without waiting for the letter, and it said, "Online Services not Available." Has anyone else tried to get on the site in the past 24 hours?
@raincloud Yes. I accessed the site yesterday and was able to print everything suggested. Nothing has changed with Social Security. It's okay.
@raincloud, My husband and I were able to access our online Social Security accounts yesterday morning, 3/7, and print out everything.
I tried to login this morning and now it says "Online services not available." I'm wondering if they are doing weekend maintenance, which maybe began yesterday evening? There have been one or two occasions in the past when that message has come up for me on a weekend, but I think it usually showed a banner indicating that it's maintenance. I do feel SS is okay.
Or perhaps it has something to do with the volume of people attempting to access their accounts, but I feel it's maintenance.
@raincloud I got on the Social Security site last night, logged in, and got my Medicare letter. I also looked at my Social Security record that shows my income for every year since I began working. (I am not taking Social Security payments yet so there is no letter for that.)