The Social Security Administration issued a press release yesterday announcing a reversal in their decision to stop providing benefit verification letters to claimants in their local field offices that was to be effective Aug. 1, 2014. Beneficiaries of Social Security are commonly asked to provide proof of benefits to ensure accurate coordinated benefit payments. These verifications will continue to be available to claimants in their local SSA field office, in addition to online via their personal my Social Security account or SSA’s toll free number (1-800-772-1213).
Acting Commissioner Carolyn Colvin hinted that the policy was changed due to input from numerous sources:
“We appreciate the feedback from members of Congress, our community stakeholders and agency partners. We want to ensure that we meet the needs of our customers in a way that is convenient for them and also cost-effective and secure for all,”
As we reported on Dec. 20, 2013, the agency cited "increasing demands for our services" which would have forced claimants to obtain this proof either online or through SSA's toll free number. Not cited, but certainly also impactful, were the agency's significant workforce reductions, as we last documented on June 16, 2014.
