Social Security Administration (SSA)
Candlefocus EditorThe Social Security program provides social insurance and benefits to retired and disabled workers and their families. Benefits administered by the SSA include Social Security retirement income, disability income, survivor benefits, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
The SSA is tasked with issuing Social Security numbers, which are used to keep track of individuals’ income and for identification purposes. It also serves as the collector of taxes and is responsible for administering the program’s trust funds and managing its finances.
The SSA also processes applications for and manages enrollment in Medicare parts A and B. These insurance programs provide health care coverage to those who qualify and are eligible, including those aged 65 and over, certain disabled individuals, and some people with end-stage renal disease.
The SSA also issues ticket assignments to people receiving benefits under the Ticket to Work program. This program encourages eligible beneficiaries to engage in gainful activity by giving them access to employment and other services needed to succeed.
The SSA also administers the national disability determination process, in which individuals apply for either Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Disability benefits are based on medical disability criteria, the severity of the person’s illness or injury, and other factors.
Finally, the SSA works to prevent, detect and deter fraud, waste and abuse in any of their programs. In order to secure their services for those who truly need them, the SSA enforces strict requirements and may even deny benefits to those found to be ineligible or non-compliant.
In sum, the Social Security Administration is a government agency responsible for administering various social and financial security programs in the United States. Its mission is to “promote the well-being and financial security of all citizens” by providing benefits such as Social Security retirement income, SSI payments and Medicare parts A and B enrollment. The SSA also processes application for ticket assignments, disability determination and does its part to prevent fraud and abuse on the system.