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Social Security Regional Commissioner Berryhill Speaks Up DENVER - The Social Security Administration’s (SSA)Regional Commissioner, Nancy A. Berryhill, wants you to know that accessing your Social Security information or getting an answer to your benefit questions has never been easier to do. Ms. Berryhill, a thirty-four year veteran of the SSA, oversees the Denver Region which covers South Dakota, Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming, and Utah.
The Denver Region pays over 9.3 million beneficiaries almost $1.4 million in monthly benets. Regional Communicaion’s Director Jan oushee states “the law equires that the way we determine if there is a cost f living allowance each year is by looking at the bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers. “And what we do is look at the 3rd quarter of 2008 and compare that to the 3rd quarter of 2009 and during that period of time there was no change in the CPI because there was no change, then we cannot, by law give a COLA increase,” stated Foushee. “What that means is SS check amounts will not increase. While Medicare premiums might go up, the law also says that you can’t reduce a SS check because there is no COLA, so even if Medicare premiums go up those folks that are already receiving SS benefits will not see their check go down because their premium will be kept at the previous level in order to keep them from being disadvantaged,” Foushee said. “So beneficiaries should receive the same amount in their check. Part D of Medicare however, is something that they elect and if they have those premiums taken out of their check and they elect to have a part D policy that has a higher premium, then that could possibly lower their check,” Foushee continued. “Beneficiaries make that choice each year as to which plan they are going to have.” to make clear is that SS is much more than a retirement benefit because SS also pays disability benefits and survivor benefits.” “I thought I had to wait until I was 62,” Berryhill said. “However, a very definite message that I want to get out there is that if someone does not have an income, Social Security is here to help. And when in doubt, they should file an application, if they do file an application, particularly for disability, and we do hear about this a lot in Indian Country if their case is denied.” “Many times as you very well know, on both of the reservations,” Berryhill continued “they are asked to go to someplace else to have an examination or to see a specialist, and I always worry about getting all the medical records. So many times when someone is denied for SS benefits it’s because we don’t have all the medical records.” “If people are denied they need to file an appeal within 60 days. Sometimes people wait 6, 7, or 8 months; by then they are have to start all over again, Berryhill said. “I want to make sure that folks know that if they do file for disability there is definitely an appeal process that goes all the way up through an administrative law judge. The message is do not give up and pursue a claim to the end.” “Something that we have been doing for a few years and I am very proud of is the installation of video units on both the Rosebud and Pine Ridge Reservations.” “By having those units right there on site, there is really not a need to visit a SS office. I would really like to get the message out about the video units at the Rosebud IHS and Pine Ridge IHS that are connected to a social security office in either Huron or Rapid City,” said Berryhill. “It’s just like talking to a representative. No one has to worry about finding transportation for a two hour drive. Particularly if someone is disabled it is a long two hour drive. The Denver Region was the first Region to really pilot the use of video units,” concluded Berryhill. For more information you may call 1- 800-772-1213 to use automated telephone services to get recorded information and conduct some business 24 hours a day. If you cannot handle your business through automated services, you can speak to a Social Security representative between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, call our toll-free TTY number, 1-800-325-0778, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. You may also visit www.ssa.gov for more information. VIDEO UNIT LOCATIONS |
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