Getting your Social Security income verification is easy
There are a number of reasons you may need written verification of your Social Security benefit amount. You may need to provide it to an energy assistance program or for subsidized housing. Perhaps you’re ready to make a major purchase and you’re trying to get a loan from a bank or financial institution. Or maybe you’re applying for state benefits or moving into a new apartment or home. Whatever your reason, if you need verification of your income from Social Security, obtaining it is easy and convenient.
Please go to www.socialsecurity.gov.
Then look in the left column under “Top Services,” open the “Services for people currently receiving benefits” section, and select “Request a Proof of Income letter” to get a letter that verifies your Social Security benefit information.
You can use this letter for any reason that someone requires proof of your income. In addition to offering proof of your income, the letter is an official document that verifies your Medicare coverage, retirement or disability status, and age.
From the time that you complete the online request, it will take about 10 days for you to receive the proof of income letter in the mail. If you need one sooner, you’ll want to call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit your local Social Security office.
For most people, requesting the proof of income online is the most convenient way to get what you need. Get your benefit verification by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov/beve.
Medicare information
Need Medicare Part B? If you’re eligible, now is the time to sign up. The general enrollment period for Medicare Part B runs from Jan. 1 through March 31. Before you make a decision about general enrollment, let us fill you in on some general information.
Medicare is a medical insurance program for retired and disabled people. Some people are covered only by one type of Medicare; others opt to pay extra for more coverage. Understanding Medicare can save you money; here are the facts.
There are four parts to Medicare: Parts A, B, C and D. Part A helps pay for inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing care, hospice care and other services. Part B helps pay for doctors’ fees, outpatient hospital visits and other medical services and supplies not covered by Part A. Part C allows you to choose to receive all of your health care services through a provider organization.
These plans, known as Medicare Advantage Plans, may help lower your costs of receiving medical services, or you may get extra benefits for an additional monthly fee.
You must have both Parts A and B to enroll in Part C. And Part D is the Medicare Prescription Drug Program.
Most people first become eligible for Medicare at age 65, and there is a monthly premium for Medicare Part B. In 2011, the standard premium is $115.40.
Some high-income individuals pay more than the standard premium. Your Part B premium also can be higher if you do not enroll during your initial enrollment period, or when you first become eligible.
There are exceptions to this rule. For example, you can delay your Medicare Part B enrollment without having to pay higher premiums if you are covered under a group health plan based on your own current employment or the current employment of any family member. If this situation applies to you, you can sign up for Medicare Part B without paying higher premiums:
n Any month you are under a group health plan based on your own current employment or the current employment of any family member.
n Within eight months after your employment or group health plan coverage ends, whichever comes first.
n If you are disabled and working (or you have coverage from a working family member), the same rules apply.
Remember: Most people are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part B when they become eligible.
If you don’t enroll in Medicare Part B when you first become eligible to apply and you don’t fit into one of the above categories, you’ll have to wait until the general enrollment period, which is Jan. 1 through March 31 of each year. At that time, you may have to pay a higher Medicare Part B premium.
For more information about Medicare parts A, B, C, and D, visit the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) website at www.medicare.gov. Or read our publication on Medicare at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10043.html.