Page 18 avvya yavvy en oniorior avvy S ior io iori by Jim Miller How to Claim Social Security Benefits During the Pandemic Dear Savvy Senior, With my local Social Security offices being closed due to COVID-19, what is the best way to apply for my Social Security retirement benefi ts? Approaching 62 Dear Approaching, Because of the pandemic, all Social Security fi eld offi ces across the country have been closed since March, so you can’t just walkin, talk to a counselor and apply for benefi ts in person right now. But there are other ways to claim your benefi ts that are much easier and quicker. Here’s what you should know. How to Apply? The easiest and most convenient way to apply for your Social Security benefi ts during the pandemic is to do it yourself online at SocialSecurity.gov. It usually takes around 15 minutes to complete the application, as long as you’ve gathered all of the required information and documentation (more on that at the bottom of the column). You can also save your application as you go, so you can take a break at any time. If your situation is complicated or you’re uncomfortable using the Internet to apply, you can have a Social Security employee assist with the process via telephone. To make an appointment call 800-772-1213. (If you’re hearing impaired, you can call 800325-0778.) The phones are monitored Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. At the time of your appointment, the representative will call you. If you start to complete the online application form but fi nd that it’s too confusing or complicated, call the agency and set up a phone appointment. Once you have submitted your application, a representative may contact you with updates or questions about your application. You can also check the status of your application by signing in to your “my Social Security” account at SSA.gov/myaccount. When to Apply? You should fi le one or two months before you want benefi ts to begin, but if you’re the worrying type, you can do it up to three or four months before. It takes a little time to process the paperwork, so by putting in your application a few months early, you can fi x any problems that come up without it interfering with your starting date. It’s also worth noting that if you start receiving your Social Security retirement benefi ts before age 65, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B, and you’ll receive your Medicare card about three months before your 65th birthday. It will include instructions to return it if you have work coverage that qualifi es you for late enrollment. But if you decide to delay your retirement benefi ts, you’ll need to sign up just for Medicare at age 65, which you can also do at SocialSecurity.gov or over the phone at 800-772-1213. Need Information In order to apply for Social Security benefi ts online or over the phone, you’ll need to be able to document some information about your identity and work history. So before applying, have the following information handy: • Your Social Security number. • Your birth certifi cate (original or certifi ed). • Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status if you were not born in the United States. • A copy of your U.S. military service papers if you had military service before 1968. • A copy of your W-2 forms and/or self-employment tax return for last year. • Your bank information (including your account number and the bank routing number) where you want your benefi ts direct deposited to. For a complete checklist of what you’ll need to complete your application, see SSA.gov/hlp/isba/10/isba-checklist.pdf. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. 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THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Wednesday, November 25, 2020 LEWIS | FROM PAGE 16 Outreach Program (CNOP) and the FoodSource Hotline The Senate’s budget supports cities and towns while allowing them fl exibility to confront the unique challenges facing them by directing signifi cant resources to local and regional aid. This includes increased funding for Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) to $94M to ensure that commuters, students, seniors and people with disabilities have ac~ LEGAL NOTICE ~ COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS THE TRIAL COURT PROBATE AND FAMILY COURT Middlesex Divison Docket No. MI18P1810EA Estate of: Armand J. Donati Date of Death: February 02, 2018 INFORMAL PROBATE PUBLICATION NOTICE To all persons interested in the above captioned estate, by Petition of Petitioner Carmela Sullivan of Malden, MA a Will has been admitted to informal probate. Carmela Sullivan of Malden, MA has been informally appointed as the Personal Representative of the estate to serve without surety on the bond. The estate is being administered under informal procedure by the Personal Representative under the Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code without supervision by the Court. Inventory and accounts are not required to be filed with the Court, but interested parties are entitled to notice regarding the administration from the Personal Representative and can petition the Court in any matter relating to the estate, including distribution of assets and expenses of administration. Interested parties are entitled to petition the Court to institute formal proceedings and to obtain orders terminating or restricting the powers of Personal Representatives appointed under informal procedure. A copy of the Petition and Will, if any, can be obtained from the Petitioner. November 25, 2020 cess to reliable public transportation during this time of critical need. Along with traditional local aid, the Senate’s budget level funds Payments In Lieu Of Taxes (PILOT) for state-owned land to $30M. PILOT funding has been a benefi cial source of local aid that provides cities and towns with additional resources to support core public services. Local investments include: ● $1.129 billion for Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA) to support community investments in education, health care, public safety and roads and bridges ● $32.6M for the Board of Library Commissioners, $11.5M for regional library local aid, $12M for municipal libraries and $4.4M for technology and automated resources ● $18.2M for the Mass Cultural Council to support local arts, culture and creative economy initiatives ● $17M for local Councils on Aging to strengthen programs and services in senior centers in communities across the state, including remote programs and assistance for vulnerable seniors On November 23 the House appointed a Conference Committee to reconcile the differences between the Senate budget and the version passed by the House of Representatives earlier in November.
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