Social Security Outreach to Vulnerable During COVID-19

Author: U.S. Social Security Administration
Published: 2021/03/25 - Updated: 2021/08/23
Topic: U.S. Social Security - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: U.S. Social Security Administration outreach to vulnerable populations during COVID-19 Pandemic - Advocates and community organizations can help connect people. People can apply for SSI benefits, and for other benefit programs, through a telephone appointment with the agency, even while local offices are not able to accept walk-in visitors.

Introduction

The Social Security Administration has a long history of outreach and coordination with advocates and community-based organizations across the nation.

Main Item

During the COVID-19 pandemic, continuing to work with advocates and community-based organizations is essential to reaching the country's most vulnerable populations, including individuals with low income, limited English proficiency, mental illness, or those facing homelessness. The agency is fully committed to assisting people in gaining access to the information and services they need with a specific emphasis on applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.

"I made this issue a strategic agency priority and focused resources to reach vulnerable communities and help them access our services and receive their benefits. I ask leaders in every community to share information about our programs with people and help them connect with us to apply for benefits," said Andrew Saul, Commissioner of Social Security.

"Social Security is working on many initiatives to reach vulnerable populations and I am pleased to share information about our national outreach campaign, developed in collaboration with leaders in the community, to raise awareness of the SSI and SSDI programs."

To ensure effective outreach to these vulnerable populations who need access to agency programs, and to the advocates and organizations who can help to connect people with Social Security, the agency launched a national campaign to raise awareness of the SSI and SSDI programs and encourage people to apply. Campaign efforts include:

People can apply for SSI benefits, and for other benefit programs, through a telephone appointment with the agency, even while local offices are not able to accept walk-in visitors.

More people need to be made aware of the SSI program and reminded that they can call toll-free 1-800-772-1213, or their local Social Security office, to make a phone appointment to apply for SSI.

People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call Social Security's TTY number, 1-800-325-0778

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Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by U.S. Social Security Administration and published on 2021/03/25, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. For further details or clarifications, U.S. Social Security Administration can be contacted at ssa.gov NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.

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Citing and References

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Cite This Page: U.S. Social Security Administration. (2021, March 25 - Last revised: 2021, August 23). Social Security Outreach to Vulnerable During COVID-19. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved April 20, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/disability/social-security/usa/outreach.php

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