The Social Security Administration (SSA) is taking extra steps to reach individuals who may rely on in person services as the country continues to battle COVID-19.

According to the update, SSA said they took needed steps to close physical offices to prevent spread of the virus and remains available to serve the public via phone or online. The agency has reiterated that they are boosting outreach efforts in order to reach all people – especially those who may be experiencing homelessness, have mental impairments, or cannot access services online.

SSA is working to “ensure that our contact information is readily available and easy to reference by local third-party service providers who may already be helping them.” The agency also said that they are working with “local organizations who already serve” these beneficiaries, ensuring that contact information is “prominently display it in locations” beneficiaries frequently visit.

The agency said these are the locations where they are focusing on boosting outreach:

• Homeless shelters, drop in centers, and advocacy organizations, including Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Continuum of Care providers, Public Housing Agencies, and the SOAR network.
• Food banks and soup kitchens, such as Feeding America partners and Food Pantries.
• Agencies and organizations serving people with disabilities, including The Arc, National Federation of the Blind, National Association of the Deaf, National Alliance on Mental Illness.
• Pharmacies, and the local members of the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations.
• Faith-based and umbrella organizations, including Community Action Partnership, Catholic Charities, and United Way.
• Programs providing social services, including Medicaid Directors, SNAP, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and State and County Directors of Social Service/Human Services.
• Programs serving seniors, including Area Offices on Aging, State Senior Services, and Benefits Enrollment Centers.
• Front line workers, including police, fire departments, public transportation, and para transit authorities.

For more information on the SSA’s services, learn how to contact a local field office, or to find answers to frequently asked questions, please visit www.ssa.gov/coronavirus/.

Want to read more on the fight against Coronavirus? Read our Coronavirus Bulletin here which contains our extensive FAQ about recent federal actions.

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