Biden criticizes the Trump administration’s handling of social security
The Social Security overhaul sparks Biden’s criticism of service disruption, layoffs and automation as Trump defends change as efficiency.
Straight Arrow News
There have been many social security changes so far in 2025, but it can be quite tense when you rely on checks to cover basic expenses. With some changes, people were flooding the Social Security Bureau’s telephone lines.
As a result, the average call waiting time was approximately 90 minutes. This is just to call someone. If you need to apply for benefits, you will need to schedule an appointment and wait a few weeks for the spot. Next, wait a few more weeks for your application to be approved. That’s probably not the headache you want to deal with.
Fortunately, you can complete many important social security tasks online, including five things: And most of all, you will never put yourself on hold.
1. Apply for benefits
The Social Security Administration allows you to apply for retirement and spousal benefits online. Additionally, if you apply for these benefits at the same time as disability benefits, you can also apply for Social Security Disability Benefits through online forms and, in some cases, supplementary security income (SSI) benefits.
However, you cannot sign up for survivor benefits or SSI for low-income seniors without calling the Social Security Agency or visiting field offices. It is worth noting that if you have already received spouse benefits in your partner’s work record at the time of death, you may not need to sign up for survivor benefits at all.
Online application forms allow you to save progress at a later date when necessary and return later. Once you submit your application, you can check its status online. You can also sue your rejection through the same system.
2. Get a quote for personalized perks
Those who haven’t taken Social Security yet can use the profit estimation tool in my Social Security account to see what checks are available at different ages of billing. This can be done for retirement benefits and spouse benefits.
However, to estimate your spouse’s profit, you need to know your spouse’s date of birth and the benefits they qualify for at their full retirement age (FRA). They will likely need to open their own Social Security account to understand this.
Additionally, the Profit Estimator tool allows you to test various future income forecasts, allowing you to see how salary increases will affect your profits. All this information will help you in determining the best age to apply for a check.
3. Get evidence that you receive benefits – or evidence that you don’t
In many cases, loan applications require proof of income. Often, certain programs like housing assistance. If you have a Social Security check, these will be counted as part of your monthly income. You can print out the bonus verification form through my Social Security account. Alternatively, if you have not received your check yet, you can print a letter proof that you are currently not receiving Social Security.
4. Update your account information
When moving, it is important to update your address with the Social Security Agency to ensure that all future communications are sent to the right location. I can do this quickly through my Social Security account.
You can also update your direct deposit information here. This took up to 30 days to process. However, the Social Security Administration has recently changed the rules, so these changes will only take one business day. However, the option to change your direct deposit information in this way is only available to beneficiaries resident in the US. If you live in another country, you will need to contact the Social Security Agency directly to make the change.
5. Identify someone to manage your interests for you
If you are worried that your illness may not be able to manage your benefits yourself, you can take that responsibility into my Social Security account to someone you trust.
This does not immediately give anyone the authority to take charge of your benefits. The Social Security Administration only contacts the person if they are unable to manage their benefits themselves. And you can always change the person who wants to manage your interests for you at will.
Even if you’re not used to making these changes online, you still have the option to call the Social Security Agency or make an in-person appointment at the field office. If you are going this route, be prepared to wait a little longer.
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