The United States Social Security Administration (SSA) [2] is an independent company of the U.S. federal government that administers Social Security, a social insurance coverage program consisting of retirement, impairment and survivor benefits. To get approved for the majority of these benefits, the majority of workers pay Social Security taxes on their profits; the complaintant's benefits are based on the wage earner's contributions. Otherwise benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are given based on need.

How can I get help from Social Security in WEST VIRGINIA?

We are here to assist by continuing to provide the important services you require. We wish to assist you as quickly and safely as possible.

Please visit our webpage How to Get Help from Social Security to learn:
The best ways to get help from Social Security.
What you should know before you visit a Social Security office, so we can help you safely.
Innovative options that could help you have your hearing sooner if you are appealing a decision.
 

What should I do if I get a call claiming there's an issue with my Social Security number or account?

If there is an issue, we will mail you a letter. Normally, we will just contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing organization with us. The latest rip-off technique of utilizing robocalls or live callers has increased. Scammers pretend to be civil servant and claim there is identity theft or another issue with ones Social Security number (SSN), account, or benefits.

Scammers may threaten arrest or other legal action, or may offer to increase benefits, protect assets, or resolve identity theft. They often demand payment via retail gift cards, wire transfers, pre-paid debit cards, internet currency, or mailing cash.

Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.

We might call you in some situations, but will never:

• Threaten you.
• Suspend your SSN.
• Demand immediate payment from you.
• Require payment by cash, gift card, pre-paid debit card, internet currency, or wire transfer.
• Ask for gift card numbers over the phone or to wire or mail cash.
• Ask for personal details or banking information to give you a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA).
• Don’t be fooled! You should look out for:

A caller saying there is a problem with your SSN or account.
Any call asking you to pay a fine or debt with retail gift cards, wire transfers, pre-paid debit cards, internet currency, or by mailing cash.
Scammers pretending they’re from us or another government agency. Caller ID or documents sent by email may look official but they are not.
How to protect yourself and your family!

If you receive a questionable call, hang up, and report the call to our Office of the Inspector General.
Don’t return unknown calls.
Ask someone you trust for advice before making any large purchase or financial decision.
Don’t be embarrassed to report if you shared personal financial information or suffered a financial loss.
Learn more at oig.ssa.gov/scam.
Share this information with friends and family.
Learn more about fraud prevention and reporting at https://www.ssa.gov/fraud/.

How do I change or correct my name on my Social Security number card?

If you legally change your name because of marriage, divorce, court order or any other reason, you must tell Social Security so you can get a corrected card. You cannot apply for a corrected card online. The same applies once you receive the I-766 card, Employment Authorization Document (EAD), from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). See Defining the legal Name for an SSN.

To get a corrected Social Security card, you will need to:

• Show the needed documents. You will need evidence of your identity. Sometimes you likewise might need to prove your current U.S. citizenship or lawful noncitizen status. See Learn What Documents You Need for more information. Under the heading, Type of Card, choose Corrected for a list of the documents you need.
• Note: If you are a U.S. Citizen, applying for a replacement SSN card, and select to mail your application to your local office, you may use initial or certified copies of secondary evidence of identity such as:
• A marriage document revealing your name and either date of birth or age (just when sent to support the application for a name modification).
• A U.S. government employee identification card.
• A non-government employee identity card/badge card revealing your name and either a photograph or your date of birth.
• A medical insurance card or U.S. Medicaid card revealing your name and among the following:.
• Date of birth.
• A photograph.
• A school identity card.
• A school record or transcript (for the present school year) showing your name and among the following:.
• Date of birth.
• A photograph.
• A life insurance policy revealing your name and age or date of birth.
• Note: U.S. Citizens obtaining a replacement SSN card are not needed to submit initial primary proof (e.g. driver's license, state ID, U.S. passport), for sent by mail applications.
• Submit and print an Application for a Social Security Card.
• Contact your local Social Security office or your local Social Security Card Center to find out your submission options.
• For total instructions, please go to our Social Security Number and Card page.
• For more details, read our pamphlet, Your Social Security Number and Card.

How do I apply for a replacement Social Security number card online?

You can use your personal my Social Security account to request a replacement Social Security number (SSN) card online if you:
 

• Are a U.S. citizen age 18 years or older with a U.S. mailing address.
• Are not requesting a name change or any other modification to your card.
• Have a motorists license or a state-issued identification card from among the getting involved states or the District of Columbia.

You must then:

Log in to your personal my Social Security account.
Select "Replace your Social Security Card".
Answer the screening questions to confirm eligibility.
Enter personal information such as name, SSN, date of birth, address, and state driver’s license or ID information.
If you are a U.S. citizen, but have not gotten a replacement SSN card or name change recently, you may not be eligible to use the online replacement card application in my Social Security. Non-citizens are not eligible to use the online replacement card application.

How can I get a Social Security Statement?
You can get your Social Security Statement online by using your personal my Social Security account. If you don't yet have an account, you can quickly develop one. Your online Statement provides you safe and secure and practical access to price quotes for retirement, impairment, and survivors benefits you and your family may be eligible for. It also reveals your earnings history.

To set up or use your account to get your Statement, go to Sign In Or Create An Account.
We also mail paper Statements to workers age 60 and older 3 months before their birthday. This is if they don’t receive Social Security benefits and don’t yet have a personal my Social Security account. Workers who don’t want to wait for their scheduled mailing can request their Statement by following these instructions. The Statement will arrive by mail in four to six weeks.

 

What should I do if I get a call declaring there's an issue with my Social Security number or account?

If there is an issue, we will mail you a letter. Generally, we will only contact you if you have actually requested a call or have continuous business with us. The latest fraud trick of utilizing robocalls or live callers has actually increased. Fraudsters pretend to be civil servant and claim there is identity theft or another issue with ones Social Security number (SSN), account, or benefits.

Fraudsters may threaten arrest or other legal action, or may use to increase benefits, protect possessions, or fix identity theft. They typically require payment through retail gift cards, wire transfers, pre-paid debit cards, internet currency, or mailing money.

Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
We may call you in some situations, but will never:
 

• Threaten you.
• Suspend your SSN.
• Demand immediate payment from you.
• Require payment by cash, gift card, pre-paid debit card, internet currency, or wire transfer.
• Ask for gift card numbers over the phone or to wire or mail cash.
• Ask for personal details or banking information to give you a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA).

Don’t be fooled! You should look out for:

A caller saying there is a problem with your SSN or account.
Any call asking you to pay a fine or debt with retail gift cards, wire transfers, pre-paid debit cards, internet currency, or by mailing cash.
Scammers pretending they’re from us or another government agency. Caller ID or documents sent by email may look official but they are not.
How to protect yourself and your family!

If you receive a questionable call, hang up, and report the call to our Office of the Inspector General.
Don’t return unknown calls.
Ask someone you trust for advice before making any large purchase or financial decision.
Don’t be embarrassed to report if you shared personal financial information or suffered a financial loss.
Learn more at oig.ssa.gov/scam.
Share this information with friends and family.
Learn more about fraud prevention and reporting at https://www.ssa.gov/fraud/.

How do I replace a Social Security number (SSN) card for a child living in WEST VIRGINIA ALUM CREEK or throughout the state of WEST VIRGINIA?

To replace an SSN card for a child:
Step 1: Provide evidence to prove the child’s:

Identity.
U.S. citizenship if you have not established the child's U.S. citizenship with us.
Immigration status if the child is not a U.S. citizen.
See Learn What Documents You Need for more information and read our Coronavirus (COVID-19) information page to learn about changes to SSN card requests during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Step 2: If you are filing the application on behalf of a child, you must also provide evidence to prove your:

Identity.
Custody/relationship to the child.
Authority to sign the application on behalf of the child.
If you are mailing in the application, and the child is a U.S. citizen applying for a replacement SSN card, you are not required to submit original primary evidence of identity for yourself (e.g., driver's license, state ID, U.S. passport).

See Learn What Documents You Need for more information and read our Coronavirus (COVID-19) information page to learn about changes to SSN card requests during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Step 3: Complete an Application for a Social Security card.

Step 4: Contact your local Social Security office or your local Social Security Card Center for submission options.

We can only accept original documents or documents certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. We’ll return any documents you mail to us along with a receipt.

Important Information
We will mail the child’s card as soon as we have verified all required documents. You should receive the card within two weeks from the date on the receipt. The replacement card will have the same SSN as the previous card.

You may not need to get a replacement card for the child. Knowing the SSN is what is important. The child may need an SSN card to get a job, collect Social Security benefits, and receive some government services. Otherwise, you do not often need to show the child's SSN card.

What is the eligibility for Social Security spouses benefits and my own retirement benefits in WEST VIRGINIA?

• If you have actually not worked or do not have adequate Social Security credits to qualify for your own Social Security benefits, you may be able to receive spouses benefits.
• To get approved for spouses benefits, you need to be one of these:
• At least 62 years of age.
• Any age and taking care of a kid entitled to receive benefits on your spouses record and who is younger than age 16 or handicapped.
• Your complete partners benefit might be as much as one-half the amount your partner is entitled to get at their complete retirement age. If you select to start getting spouses benefits prior to you reach complete retirement age, your benefit amount will be permanently lowered.

You will receive your full spouse’s benefit amount if you wait until you reach full retirement age to begin receiving benefits. You will also receive the full amount if you are caring for a child entitled to receive benefits on your spouse’s record who is younger than age 16 or disabled.

If you do have enough credits to qualify for your own Social Security benefits and you apply for your own retirement benefits and for benefits as a spouse, we always pay your own benefits first. If your benefits as a spouse are higher than your own retirement benefits, you will get a combination of benefits equaling the higher spouse benefit.

Here is an example:
Mary Ann qualifies for a retirement benefit of $250 in WEST VIRGINIA and a spouse’s benefit of $400 in WEST VIRGINIA. At her full retirement age, she will receive her own $250 retirement benefit, and we will add $150 from her spouse’s benefit, for a total of $400.

Keep in mind that you may have options to increase your benefit amounts. For more information, see Filing Rules for Retirement and Spouses Benefits.
If you are at least 62 years of age and you wish to apply for retirement or spouse’s benefits, you can use our online retirement application to apply for one or both benefits.

If you are divorced
If you are divorced and your marriage lasted at least 10 years, you may be able to get benefits on your former spouse’s record.