¡servicios Por Internet Del Seguro Social - En español! versión completa - Preguntas y respuestas

♪ >>Hi, I'm Luis Alicea from the Social Security administration. >> And I am Zomarie Santiago also from the Social Security administration. >> Like many of you, I grew up in a Spanish speaking household and although I speak English I often think in Spanish and I'm happy to let you know the Social Security is making strides to communicate with the Spanish speaking public. Did you know that the Social Security has a Spanish version on their website? You can switch the website from the English to the Spanish site by selecting the Spanish link, located in the top of our homepage, it's very simple. Or just type segurosocial.gov in your browser. I'm here to let you know that not only can you take care of your Social Security issues online, but you can also do it in Spanish. >> Please know, whether you're sending information in English or Spanish you're privacy is very important to the Social Security. We've taken all the precautions to ensure that your information is protected. Next I will talk about things that I'm sure you'll find very useful. Do you want to know how much you can expect from the Social Security when you retire? Now you can use the online retirement estimator to calculate your benefits. Are you ready to retire? You can apply online for retirement benefits. Sill working, but you need to apply for Medicare? You can request this benefit online. Need to apply for extra help with Medicare prescription drug costs? You can also do this online and in Spanish, you can find links in Spanish to all the applications we just talked about at segurosocial.gov. >> Let's take a close view at the Retirement Estimator and the online applications for retirement and Medicare you can find at segurosocial.gov >> If you have any question about any of the services we just talked about, like the website in Spanish, the retirement estimator, the retirement application, and Medicare, or how to apply for Medicare prescription drug plan costs. Don't wait! You can send your questions now or at any time during the show. >>Simply send your questions by clicking the bubble located on the top of the screen. >>We will also be answering your questions on facebook, twitter, and email. Although we can't answer any personal questions about your earnings or any claim you have made to the Social Security. But we will try to answer the questions about the information we will be showing during the show. We also encourage you to fill out our brief questioner. This information will help us better the future contents we present in Spanish. You can find the link for the questioner located next to the bubble that appears on the top of the screen; just click the link to gain access to the questioner. >> Some of you have used or at least have heard about retirement estimator in Spanish. The retirement estimator is a good way to get an idea of how much money you can get from the Social Security when you retire. The retirement estimator gives estimates based on your actual Social Security earning record. You can use the retirement estimator if you have enough social security credits at this time to qualify for benefits. The retirement estimator will generate an immediate and personalized estimate of your retirement benefit and also allows you to view different scenarios. >> Not everyone can use the retirement estimator; generally you can't use it if you're currently receiving benefits on your own Social Security record; if you're older than 62 years old and receiving benefits on another Social Security record. Or if you're waiting for a decision about your application for benefits or Medicare. And finally, if you're eligible for a pension based on work not covered by Social Security such as employment with any federal, state or municipality goverment. >> To start you will be prompted enter information to identify yourself, such as your name, social security number, date of birth, and lasts years earnings. If you worked last year we assume that you will be working this year and will be making more or less the same amount you entered for last year's earnings. This will give you a good idea of what you can expect for your retirement. You will also be able to compare different retirement dates or make changes to future earnings to see how these changes affect your benefits. >> Luis, one thing that I love about the retirement estimator is that you enter the information and you get an answer immediately. Let's listen to what some social security employees have to say about the retirement estimator in Spanish. >> Janny, I think that people who use the retirement estimator will find it easy to use. >> Yes you're right, if a person wants to get a quick estimate of their retirement benefit, all they have to do is enter their Social Security number and some basic information. >> Right, once the person enters the information, they will immediately get an estimate of their Social Security benefits for retirement. Look, they can see how much they receive at 62 years of age, at full retirement age, and up to 70 years of age. >> This is great, being able to plan for retirement by trying different ages and different amounts of income to decide when to apply Social Security payments. >> Right, look, the person using the retirement estimator can see how much he or she will get at 63 years of age, 64, and 65 and so on. >> I just wanted to remind you that if you still haven't sent your questions, now is the time to do it. >> So, when you're ready to apply for retirement benefits, you don't have to visit a Social Security office, you can do it quickly and easily from your home or office computer. Or if you're 65 years of age but if you're not ready to retire, apply online for Medicare only. >> If you don't know how to use the computer, asked your children or grandchildren to help. >> I have always helped my grandma fill in forms and look for information in English. I have helped with questions she has to answer and I've checked whether what she is writing on the form is correct. But now having the new website in Spanish, not only will benefit my grandma but also many people I know in the Hispanic community. Visit us at segurosocial.gov to see what I mean. >> We've heard why people like to take care of many of their Social Security's issues online and in their own language. But when it comes to something as important as applying for retirement and Medicare, I bet you wonder how it works? When you get to the application form you will have to answer questions about yourself and if you have a family we will ask questions about your family and also about your work. And don't worry if you have any questions while completing the application you can watch one of our informational videos showing how to use our application form and you don't have to complete it in one session. If you need a break you can stop and return to the application later, without losing information already entered. Once you've answered all the questions select sign now; your application will be sent electronically to Social Security, if we need more information from you we will contact you by phone. >> When I was part of the team that designed the online application form for Social Security benefits, I never imagined I would have the opportunity to translate into Spanish. I was very excited about this project, one the things that attracted me the most knew I would make online social security services accessible to Spanish speaking people. The easiest way to apply is online and it can be done in Spanish. >> Social Security wants to reach people who need extra help with Medicare prescription drug plan costs. In order to qualify for extra help, a person must be receiving Medicare, have limited resources and income, and reside in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia. If you know someone who has difficulty paying for Medicare prescription drugs, a family member, a friend or neighbor, please tell them to go online and apply for extra help with Medicare prescription drug plan costs, all they have to do is visit our website at segurosocial.gov. There you will find all this information in Spanish and see if they qualify for extra help with Medicare prescription drug plan costs, and if they don't know how to use the computer a loved one may help. >> We've talked about online services, but while it's easy and convenient to browse the Internet you also have other options, you can call 1800-772-1213 for help in Spanish or you can visit a Social Security office near you. >> Well, Luis, it's almost time to answer the questions from the audience. But before we finish, let's summarize what we've talked about. >> Well, we explained how to obtain your own Social Security information in Spanish on our website segurosocial.gov and we explained how to obtain an estimate of your retirement benefits with the retirement estimator in Spanish. >> We also gave you a brief description of the following services available at segurosocial.gov. Spanish application for retirement benefits and Medicare and Spanish application for extra help with Medicare prescription drug plan costs. ♪ >> Well, now is the time to answer your questions. And remember in order to send your questions on facebook, twitter or email all you have to do is click the bubble icon located on top of the screen and follow the instructions If you still haven't sent your questions, you still have time. >> Well, Zomarie what's our first question. >> Luis, we have a lot of questions for you, so let's get started. The first question is: Do I have to send my documents by mail before filling the application online? >> No, you don't need to send any documents by mail or do anything else. All you have to do is fill out the application and if once you're done we still need anything well get in touch with you. >> Okay. I worked in the United States but I moved to a different country Can I still apply for the Social Security benefits online even if I live outside of the United States? >> Yes you can; all you have to do is go to segurosocial.gov and click the button that says retirement and fill out the application. >> I'm a veteran; can I also apply for the benefits online? >> Of course, even if you're a veteran you can still apply for the benefits online. >> I'm about to turn 62, can I get an estimate of the amount of retirement benefits I have once I turn 62? >> That's a very good question and it's very important for everyone to find an estimate before filling out the application so you can have an idea of how much you will receive. So, once you're able to get an estimate, what you have to do is go to segurosocial.gov and go where it says estimate and it'll take you to the system that gives you an estimate. >> I answered the entire question on the online application but I don't know how to finish it. What else do I need? >> If you already answered all the questions, is that what you're asking me? If you already answered the entire question all you have to do is click the button that says sign now, once you sign click the button and you should be done, you don't have to do anything else. >> Okay, well that's easy, Luis. >> It's easy. >> When can I sign up for the Medicare coverage? >> Well, for the Medicare coverage, you have to remember; we have to remember that the age to sign up is 65 years of age. Now you can sign up at 64 and nine months old, we recommend you do it 3 months before you turn 65. >> How can I... I already completed my application but I changed my mind, can I void the application? >> That's something that could happen to people; once you completed the application you realize you want to wait a little longer or it wasn't a good time to ask or apply for the benefits. Unfortunately you can't void the application online; you have to go to your nearest Social Security office. To figure out which office is processing your application, on the last page we suggested you to print, you can find the name of the office, address, and phone number, if you don't have that page for some reason you can go to segurosocial.gov and go to the last page on your left where it says locate your local office. Once you click it immediately put your zip code and it'll give you the address and phone number of the office. >> Okay, thanks Luis. I've heard about the Medicare prescription drug plan cost, how can I apply for this benefit? >> You can apply for the benefit by going to segurosocial.gov and click where it says Medicare and then click where it says apply for benefits; the Medicare prescription drug plan cost is located on the right side of the screen. >> Thanks Luis. How long does take to fill out the application online? >> It doesn't take long at all, we have found that it takes at least 15 minutes, it's so easy. >> Oh, wow! I turn 62 in March, how many days in advance should I apply for the Social Security benefits online? >> Again, if you want to receive your benefits at 62 we recommend you apply for them at 61 and nine months of age or 3 months before turning 62. >> Okay. Well, Luis, while we wait for more questions, why don't you talk to them about our questioner? >> Yes, we have a questioner that is very important for you to fill out so that way we can know what contents we can use on our next webinar that we might have in the future and that way we can help you understand better how to apply for the benefits the Social Security administration offers. >> Very good, Luis, thank you for reminding us about the questioner. Is it possible to print a copy of the online application before sending it electronically? >> The application itself can't be completely printed before answering the question, let's be clear about that. Now, the importance is that if you want to print the application you will have to do it one page at a time. As you go through each and answer the questions, then you can print that certain page but the whole application itself can't be printed before answering the questions. >> What happens if the system fails to show me the confirmation page, what should I do? >> If that happens, call us immediately or as soon as you get the chance. You have to call 1-800-772-1213 and talk to us to let us know what happened. >> Thank you, Luis. During what period of time can I fill out the application for benefits online? >> The schedule varies, but you basically have from Monday to Friday from 5 in the morning until 1 in the morning. On the weekends you have from 5 in the morning until 10 on Sundays and 11 on Saturdays. On holidays from 5 in the morning until 11 at night. So keep in mind that the application won't be available for a period of time because we need to give the system maintenance so we can collect all the applications people submitted therefore we need time, so it won't be available for a few hours. >> Okay. We have an interesting one... My mom is considering retiring but she only speaks Spanish, is there any information in Spanish about the retirement benefits and Medicare coverage. >> You came to the right place because that's exactly what we're talking about. We're talking about how you can get information in Spanish, just like the way were talking in Spanish. And that's why we're letting you know that you can go to segurosocial.gov and click the retirement button where there's a vast amount of information that tells you what to do. You can use the retirement estimator to have an idea of how much you can get and similar things; it also has Medicare information if you need it. >> Okay, this is great Luis, remind them that they can still send us their questions, I'm going to keep reading some questions but you can send your questions anytime on facebook, twitter or email. Will I lose all the information in my application if I stop for whatever reason while I'm filling it out? >> The answer is yes or no, first I'm going to say no, simply because in order to avoid losing the information you are submitted you must go to the bottom of the page and click save and exit to save the information so you can come back later and finish your application. Now, if you forgot to do that, then unfortunately the answer is yes, you will lose the information and you will have to start from the beginning. >> Then it's very important to click the save button. >> And exit >> Okay. If someone I know has the right to the Medicare subscription drug plan costs, can I help that person apply online for the additional benefits? >> Absolutely. Please if you know anyone that you think has the right to that benefit, the Medicare prescription drug plan costs, please help them. We encourage family members, lawyers, everyone who works in the community, even friends, so if you know someone who can benefit from this benefit please help them but only if they ask you don't do it if the person doesn't want you do. >> Luis, what are the online limitations if you live in Puerto Rico? >> I honestly don't know the answer to that question, so I would recommend calling 1-800-772-1213 so they can hopefully answer your question with more information. >> Okay, thank you, Luis. Well we're waiting for more questions, so if you want you can refresh about the online version in Spanish this would be a good time. >> We have a great source of information for everyone. About retirement, disability benefits, survivor benefits, Medicare; if you're divorced which is a question often asked when I go around talking to people. What about us the divorced people, do we have a right to any benefit? There's a couple steps you have to follow but you can find the information on segurosocial.gov. There you can find all the information you need to answer your questions. >> Okay, thank you, Luis. You mentioned that you can save the application and finish it later, is there a certain time limit to finish the application? >> I honestly don't know the time limit, I know that you can log in twice but if you want the right answer it would be better if you called 1-800-772-1213 and our staff will give the exact time limit, if there is one. >> Thank you Luis. How safe is all my personal information? >> Completely safe, just like you said before at the beginning of the webinar, we used the most advanced technology we could get to save you information and protect your personal information. It's very important for us and we know it is to you as well. >> Okay, thank you Luis. I helped my grandma fill out her application online, who has to fill out the part that says present now? >> That's a very good question and you must be very careful. The person that is signing the application has to be the person that is applying for the benefits not the person filling it out. It's important because if you're applying for benefits for someone who doesn't want them, I don't think it would be a good idea. >> Yes and also it could be invalidated if another person signs. >> Invalidate the application and everything else. >> Okay. I started to fill out my application online and I received an application number, what do I do with this number? >> That application number is unique for you to have so you can log in to the application in case you have to go out and want to save the information for when you get back. >> Okay, thank you Luis. Can I apply for Medicare without retirement benefits? >> Absolutely, if you are 65 years old which is the age required to apply for the Medicare coverage and you only want the Medicare coverage because you're working, you don't need the money at the time, but you can only apply for the Medicare coverage All you have to do is go to segurosocial.gov and click the button that says Medicare, and immediately on the center of the page it'll tell you to apply for Medicare, you click and it immediately takes you to the application, it's easy. >> That's good, Luis. What is inflicted by the Social Security to ensure our information is safe against identity thefts, to complete or submit an application. >> Just like we mentioned a little bit ago, and you mentioned at the beginning of our webinar, that we have taken special measures using advanced technology in our reach to protect your personal information. Just like we told you before it's important to you, it's important to us. One of the things we do for example; when you apply for the benefits we told you we would ask you questions that only you can answer. For example: your name, social security number, and date of birth. We will also ask you your mom's maiden last name. That's where the protection starts to make sure no one else has access to this information. >> Thank you Luis. Can someone younger than 62 apply for the retirement estimator? >> The retirement estimator can be used by pretty much anyone as long as they have the right to retirement benefits that means that the person must have enough Social Security credits. What we mean by that is that the person must have worked at least 10 years, if the person has worked for 10 years they have full access to the retirement estimator. >> Thank you, Luis. Can I apply for disability benefits from the Social Security online? >> You can apply for disability benefits of Social Security but it has two parts to it. The first part is the application and the second part is the medical record. At the moment the application is in Spanish but the medical record is still in English. So if you would like to apply for disability benefits, you can, but keep in mind that part of the application is important, the medical record is very important, because that way we know your medical conditions and this is also in English. If you feel uncomfortable with this, simply don't do it all you have to do is call 1-800-772-1213 and well make you an appointment or we'll take your information right then. >> Okay. And we have interpreters for all the Spanish speaking people. What's the difference between the application number and the confirmation number? >> There's a small difference, the application number is the number you use to log in and out of the application. When you finish the questions and you say look here I'm going to send it to you and when you click where it says sign here it issues a confirmation number, with that confirmation number you can call your local Social Security office and they'll let you know, ok you applied for an application, you filled it out and we have it with us. But the application number is to log in and out. >> Can I get a new password if I lost mine or forgot it? >> It that happens to all of us especially when we have other email accounts and such. We forget passwords, but a lot of times we need one. If you're going to buy something online you need a password and so does everything else. So, remembering that password so no one else can steal it its sometimes impossible, so what we usually do is write it down but we forget where we wrote it. >> That happens to me all the time. >> And that's a problem but not for us. If you forgot your password simply go to segurosocial.gov and click on the button on the bottom section that says retirement. On the bottom of the screen will appear a message that says create new password, you click it and it'll give you the instructions you need to do it. >> That sounds really easy. >> Everything is easy. >> Let's go to another question. If the client is using the system and for some reason the system doesn't accept the information, what can the client do? Would there be someone available to help? >> It all depends on the time. If for some reason the system is not accepting your information or something is happening you must call 1-800-772-1213, that way you can explain to us what you did and we'll tell you what to do to complete it. >> Okay, Luis. Sometimes I have clients that even though the system is in Spanish they still can't do the process, can I complete it for the client? >> When you say he hasn't finished the process, who is filling out the application? That should be main question. Now, if for some reason the person can't do it, you can help out but only if you have the person's consent, that's very important. Because if the person doesn't want you to know their personal information for example; you don't want to get involved in that. So, if the person lets you, you can fill out the application and finish with that person. Make sure the person is always by your side. If the person for some reason or another chooses not to do that they can call us 1-800-772-1213 and we'll help you. >> Thank you, Luis. My mom get benefits from my dad's record; next year she'll have her own record. Can she do her application online? >> Absolutely, absolutely. You can get benefits from another person under their social security number but when you choose to receive your own benefits all you have to do is go to segurosocial.gov go to the button that says retirement and fill out the application, it's that simple. >> That's great, Luis. I have another question for you. >> Go ahead. >> What if I fill out the application online while living in one place and then moving to another after filling it out? >> That's a good question, it's very important. If you move after submitting your application it's important for you to communicate with your local Social Security office so you can let them know you moved and your new address. >> Okay, Luis, before we move on to the last question; let's remind them about the questioner. I think the questioner is very important for us. >> Yes it's very important, the purpose of the questioner is to let us know how good or bad the webinar was. How was the information, what else would you like for us to talk about on out next webinar. We use that information so we can help you; if you help us we help you. >> That's right Luis. I will make the last question... >> Go ahead. The last question. What will happen after I submit the application online? >> Once we receive your application, well check it and if there's anything information missing or we need to see your documents we'll contact you directly. But before we go we will listen to one of famous spokesman, Don Francisco. >> Okay, Luis, I love Don Francisco. >> Ladies and gentlemen, let me talk to you about the services available online for you at www.segurosocial.gov. There you can request your retirement and Medicare from your computer and in Spanish. If you're still working you can get an estimate of the retirement benefits. If you need help getting started ask your children or grandchildren to help you. Remember www.segurosocial.gov it's easy. >> Well, thank you for tuning in, were glad you had the chance to be here, we will have a recording of the show online soon. Please share this information with your friends and family. >> Let them know we're now on facebook and twitter, so please stay in touch. >> Zomarie, one last request, please take a moment to fill out or questioner. >> I'm Zomarie Santiago... >> and I'm Luis Alicea reporting on behalf of the Social Security. See you next time.