Rights & Benefits Information
By Jack Burns, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in AZ Fraudsters Never Go On Vacation
Social Security Celebrates The Americans With Disabilities Act
This year, we celebrate 33 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and its importance to many beneficiaries. We’re committed to the principles and spirit of the ADA, and the way it improves the lives of millions. Matt’s story is an example of how the ADA and our Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program can help beneficiaries achieve their career goals. As a job seeker who is deaf and needs accommodations, Matt was reluctant to tell prospective employers about his disability. He worried that employers would not hire him if they knew about his disability. That’s when Matt connected with our Ticket Program. This program supports career development for people ages 18 to 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits and want to work. Through this free and voluntary program, approved service providers offer supports and services as participants move toward financial independence through work. Matt learned how his employment might affect his benefits. He also learned that our Medicare-related work By Jack Burns, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in AZ
Fraudsters will never take a break. While you are out enjoying fun and sun this summer, they are working hard to find new ways to scam you. Seniors and younger people are particularly vulnerable to scammers who claim to represent Social Security. To protect you and your loved ones, you can: • Visit our Protect Yourself from Social Security Scams webpage at www.ssa.gov/ scam for information on what tactics scammers use and how to report them. • Check out the Federal Trade Commission’s page at consumer.ftc.gov/ scams for additional scam-related information. Here are some tips to follow when you identify a potential scammer: • Hang up right away or ignore the message. • Never give personal information or money. • Report the scam immediately to our Office of the Inspector General at https://oig.ssa.gov/report/. If you owe money to Social Security, we’ll mail you a letter with payment options
incentive allows him to pursue a career without worrying about health care coverage. If Matt’s disability interfered with work, he could return to receiving benefits without having to file a new application through the expedited reinstatement process. Matt now works full-time as a human resource analyst. Thanks to the ADA, he received accommodations for the interview process and on the job. He also found that the Ticket Program helped him find a path to a better future. You can learn more about the Ticket Program at www.choosework.ssa.gov. Our online booklet, Your Ticket to Work: What You Need to Know to Keep it Working for You found at www.ssa. gov/pubs/EN-05-10062.pdf, provides detailed information about the program. You can learn more about Matt’s story at www. choosework.ssa.gov/library/ matt-success-story. Please share these resources with your loved ones.
and appeal rights. We only accept payments electronically through Pay.gov or Online Bill Pay, or physically by check or money order through our offices. We will never do the following: • Threaten you with arrest or legal action because you don’t agree to pay us money immediately. • Promise a benefit increase in exchange for money. • Ask you to send us gift cards, prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, internet currency, cryptocurrency, or cash through the U.S. mail. There are no vacations for fraudsters, so you need to stay informed of the latest Social Security-related scams. For more information, please visit our blog at blog.ssa.gov. Please share these useful resources with your loved ones.
August 2023, Never Too Late | Page 11
Pima Council on Aging
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