Tribal Benefits Coordinator Guide

Social Security Administration Tribal Benefits Coordinator Guide

April 2018

Contents

A Note to Benefit Coordinators

1

Message from the Deputy Commissioner for Operations and Tribal Consultation Official

2

Message from the American Indian and Alaska Native Executive Champion

2

Ways to Reach Us

3

National American Indians and Alaska Native (AIAN) Map

4

A Guide to the Social Security Card

5

A Guide to Retirement

6

How Earnings Affect Retirement Benefits

7

A Guide to Survivors Benefits

8

A Guide to Disability Benefits

9

Disability Application Process

10

Receiving Payments

11

Wounded Warriors

13

Returning to Work

16

A Guide to Supplemental Security Income

17

A Guide to Medicare

21

A Guide to the Appeals Process

24

A Guide for Representative Payees

25

Organizational Payees

26

Incorrect Payments

27

Reporting Changes

29

Online Resources

30

Questions and Answers

31

Acronyms

39

A Note to Benefit Coordinators

We appreciate the assistance you provide to Social Security beneficiaries and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients. We know sometimes it can be difficult to know when to contact us and who to talk to about benefits.

Disclosure

Disclosure is the release or showing of personal information about an individual to a third party other than the person to whom it pertains or a minor child's parent or legal guardian acting on the minor's behalf. Social Security's privacy regulations allow us to disclose personal information to government agencies (such as Tribal Government, Tribal Health Department, Indian Health Service, or Bureau of Indian Affairs) without an individual's consent when the information is needed to administer the agency's own needs-based program. The agency must justify why they need the information for their program. In most other cases, clients must consent before Social Security will release information to them. If your client is calling Social Security for information, they must be able to answer several identifying questions, even if giving oral permission for you to receive information. Your client can also provide written consent on Form SSA-3288. Your client can print the form online at forms/ssa-3288.pdf. You may fax or mail a signed SSA-3288 to your local Social Security Office.

1

Message from the Deputy Commissioner for Operations and Tribal Consultation Official

It is my honor to continue in service as your tribal liaison, bridging Social Security to sovereign tribal nations. As Deputy Commissioner for Operations and Tribal Consultation Official, I am dedicated to leveraging agency resources to serve tribal communities and to strengthening our government-to-government relationships. This edition of the Tribal Benefits Coordinator Guide includes policy updates and helpful information unique to Native Americans. It is my hope that this guide will provide tribal benefit coordinators with an up-to-date picture of how Social Security serves Indian Country communities. In August 2017, we appointed Renee Ferguson as the American Indian and Alaska Native Executive Champion to support my commitment to service delivery and outreach initiatives. Under Renee's leadership, we will reinforce the need for building relationships in Native American communities and take a more direct approach to improving cultural awareness across Social Security. Thank you for your continued support as we continue, together, stepping in the right direction.

Nancy A. Berryhill Deputy Commissioner for Operations

Message from the American Indian and Alaska Native Executive Champion

I am happy to join the Social Security team to assist the agency with meeting the evolving needs of tribal communities. The Tribal Benefits Coordinator Guide is one way of showing Social Security's commitment to improving access to Social Security programs and building meaningful relationships in Indian Country. I am committed to providing accurate information to tribal communities by dedicating resources to ensure timely communication on tribal issues. I am committed to strengthening the voice of tribal leaders by enhancing outreach and cultural awareness opportunities throughout Indian Country. I hope the Tribal Benefits Coordinator Guide will be a resource that you use often. If you have suggestions for improvement or questions concerning the guide, I encourage you to reach out to your local contacts or contact us through our dedicated mailbox at: SSA.munications@. I look forward to collaborating with you and thank you for your support.

Renee Ferguson AIAN Executive Champion

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