[Blindtlk] urgent information from Social Security for those affected by Harvey's flooding in Texas

[Danielle Ledet]

Important Social Security Information for People Affected by Hurricane
Harvey

Many Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit payments
are scheduled for Friday, September 1.  The following information covers the
various delivery methods for these payments in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.

Payments by Paper Check Delivered by the US Postal Service

Hurricane Harvey's impact on the Gulf Coast resulted in the temporary
suspension of mail delivery service, as well as the closure of some postal
facilities in the Houston area.  The U.S. Postal Service is providing
additional information on how customers displaced by Hurricane Harvey can
retrieve checks they receive via the mail.

Provided here
about.usps.com/news/state-releases/tx/tx.htm<http://about.usps.com/news/state-releases/tx/tx.htm>
is a list of Post Office locations, by ZIP Code, where checks will be made
available for pick-up beginning Friday, September 1.  People must have
proper identification to receive their check.

Payments by Direct Deposit

Nearly all payments issued by direct deposit will arrive as scheduled.  If a
person's payment is delayed, they should contact their financial
institution.  If the financial institution is not operating, please see the
"emergency payment" information below.

Payments by Direct Express Debit Card (a Treasury Department program)

For recipients in the affected areas who receive their payment through a
Direct Express card, fees will be waived, even if they have evacuated out of
the area. Payments will be posted to Direct Express cards on September 1.

People may contact Direct Express at 1-888-741-1115.

Emergency Payment Locations

Social Security has established three emergency payment locations in Texas
where Social Security and SSI beneficiaries may request an immediate payment
in person if they cannot receive their regular payment.  The locations and
hours are:

Friday, September 1, and Saturday, September 2:

Houston: NRG Center
2 NRG Park, Houston, TX 77054
>From 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Dallas: Kay Bailey Hutchison Dallas Convention Center
650 S. Griffin Street, Dallas, TX 75202
>From 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Austin: Tony Burger Center
3200 Jones Road, Austin, TX 78745
>From 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM

For people who cannot receive their regularly scheduled Social Security
payment as a result of Hurricane Harvey, in most cases they can go to any
open Social Security office and request an immediate payment.  A list of
offices that are currently closed, as well as additional information for the
public, is available at
www.socialsecurity.gov/emergency<http://www.socialsecurity.gov/emergency>.

To find the nearest open Social Security office outside of the affected
areas, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or go to
www.socialsecurity.gov/locator<http://www.socialsecurity.gov/locator>.


-- 
How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young,
compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and
tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will
have been all of these.
George Washington Carver
Email: singingmywayin at gmail.com