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YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY | Davenport, Iowa Office

By Pam Shaw
Social Security District Manager
Davenport Social Security Office

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO TELL US ABOUT CHANGES WHEN YOU GET SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS

If you receive Social Security, you can help to make sure we pay you the right benefit each month. You can do that by telling us about relationship or other life changes that could affect your eligibility for retirement, survivors, or disability benefits – or the benefit amount.

You and your family may miss out on additional payments you may be due if you don’t report changes to us in a timely manner. Or you may be overpaid benefits and have to pay us back.

What you need to tell us

To make sure you are paid correctly and receive the payments for which you are eligible, let us know right away if:

• You get married or divorced.
• Your spouse or former spouse dies.
• You become the parent of a child (including an adopted child).
• The child (or stepchild) who gets benefits on your record gets married.
• The child (or stepchild) who gets benefits on your record no longer lives with you.

Note: We will need the name and address of the person with whom the child is living.

How to report changes

We offer several ways to report changes:

• Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Call your local Social Security office.
• Fax, mail, or deliver your updates to your local office.

You can use our office locator at www.ssa.gov/locator to find your local office.

If you get retirement, survivors, or disability benefits and need to update your address, phone number, or direct deposit, it’s easy to make those changes using your personal my Social Security account www.ssa.gov/myaccount. Or you can use our automated telephone services at www.ssa.gov/agency/contact/phone.

Get the right check, in the right amount, at the right time, by reporting changes right away! Please share this information with those who need it.

SOCIAL SECURITY INSTALLS NEW KIOSKS TO IMPROVE CUSTOMER CHECK-IN PROCESS

At Social Security we strive to make our services more accessible while maintaining your privacy. We installed new kiosks in most of our local offices to make it easier for you to check in and conduct business with us. The kiosks are private, easy to use without assistance, and provide consistent service to our customers.

Modifications to earlier screens have improved the check-in process, especially for our customers who are blind or have low vision. Each kiosk is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and includes the following features:

• Accessible keypads.
• Audio headphone jacks (complimentary headphones are available upon request).
• Braille instructions for how to use the kiosk and report any accessibility issues.
• Built-in thermal printers and ticket dispensers.
• Enhanced 508-compatible check-in software.
• Touchscreen monitors with privacy filters.

These kiosks are just one more way we’re improving the customer service experience in our offices. Last year, we began offering Mobile Check-in Express. It allows customers to use their mobile device to scan a QR code at their local office to check in for scheduled and walk-in appointments.

By turning on their device’s location services and mobile notifications, visitors receive:

• An electronic ticket so they know their place in line.
• An alert when an employee is ready to help them.
• Information about their interview location.
• An invitation to participate in our feedback survey.

With our new kiosks and Mobile Check-In Express, our check-in process has never been easier. To learn more about our commitment to accessibility, visit www.ssa.gov/accessibility.

Question and Answer:

Question: Is it illegal to laminate your Social Security card?

Answer: No, but we discourage it. It’s best not to laminate your card. Laminated cards make it difficult — sometimes even impossible — to detect important security features and an employer may refuse to accept them. The Social Security Act requires the Commissioner of Social Security to issue cards that cannot be counterfeited. We incorporate many features that protect the card’s integrity. They include highly
specialized paper and printing techniques, some of which are invisible to the naked eye. Keep your Social Security card in a safe place with your other important papers. Do not carry it with you. Learn more at www.ssa.gov.