What is CTLawHelp?CTLawHelp.org was created by several nonprofit legal aid organizations whose shared mission is to improve the lives of Connecticut residents by providing free legal help to people with very low income. Show Español • Polski • Português • 中文资讯 • العربية • русском языке • 한국어 An award letter (also known as an award notice) is what the Social Security Administration (SSA) sends out to inform an individual that a claim for benefits has been approved. Though award letters go out for any type of benefit application, the term is most commonly associated with disability claims. If you need to replace your original award letter, you can request a copy by calling Social Security at 800-772-1213 or visiting your local SSA office. Local offices fully reopened April 7 after being closed to walk-in traffic for more than two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Social Security recommends calling in advance and scheduling an appointment to avoid long waits. If a copy is not available, Social Security can provide you with an official letter with the information you need. Keep in mindAn award letter is not the same thing as a benefit verification letter (also called a proof of award letter, among other things). A benefit verification letter is a statement from Social Security that spells out the benefits you are receiving and can be used as evidence of income — for instance, if you are applying for a loan. Unlike an award letter, a benefit verification letter can be obtained instantly online if you have a My Social Security account. By
The ScamThe premise of the scam is a simple one. A victim will receive an official looking letter in the mail from the “Social Security Administration” containing information about a scheduled telephone appointment. It is worth noting that in many of these cases, the victim’s address is listed on the letter correctly, but their Social Security and telephone numbers are not – this is a tell tale sign that the documents contained within the correspondence are in fact not legitimate. Once the victim calls the appointment line to supposedly speak with a representative, they are immediately prompted to give the person on the other end of the line their correct Social Security and telephone numbers. Once the information has been exchanged, the scammers can then use the information however they choose, while the beneficiary is left unaware that a scam had even taken place. The incredibly convincing natures of these imposter letters, make them especially dangerous to seniors who may be more susceptible to these types of scams. Don’t Become a VictimIf you feel as though you have received any type of suspicious correspondence, there are steps you can take to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft or fraud.
Call us, today, at 313.964.4900 or fill out the form in the sidebar or on our contact page, and learn more about how we can help you. What Is Social Security Administration letter?What is a Social Security Benefit Verification Letter? The Benefit Verification letter, sometimes called a "budget letter," a "benefits letter," a "proof of income letter," or a "proof of award letter," serves as proof of your retirement, disability, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Medicare benefits.
How do you know if SSA is investigating you?Typically, after you file your application, it is the workers at the local claim office who start an investigation. Workers at the local SSA office often talk to people who file for benefits on the phone. Likewise, they may help you file your application. Or, they may call you to ask about your doctors information.
How do I know if a letter from Social Security is real?If you receive a letter from Social Security and are not sure if it is real or not, you can verify it by calling 1-800-772-1213. SSA also encourages people to set up an account at My Social Security to be able to check notices and your benefits at any time.
How does the Social Security Administration contact you?What should I do if I get a call claiming there's a problem with my Social Security number or account? If there is a problem, we will mail you a letter. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us.
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