SSA stands for Social Security Administration.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government that manages Social Security, a social insurance program consisting of retirement, disability, and survivors' benefits. The SSA also administers Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a program designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people who have limited income and resources.
Here's a breakdown of the SSA's primary functions:
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Administering Social Security Benefits: This includes retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. The SSA determines eligibility, calculates benefit amounts, and distributes payments to eligible individuals and their families.
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Administering Supplemental Security Income (SSI): The SSA determines eligibility for SSI based on income and resources, and provides monthly payments to eligible individuals.
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Issuing Social Security Numbers (SSNs): The SSA assigns Social Security numbers to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and temporary (working) residents. The SSN is used to track earnings and benefits under the Social Security program.
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Maintaining Earnings Records: The SSA keeps track of the earnings of workers covered by Social Security. These earnings records are used to determine eligibility for and the amount of Social Security benefits.
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Providing Information and Services: The SSA provides information and services to the public regarding Social Security and SSI. This includes answering questions, providing publications, and offering online services.
In summary, the Social Security Administration is a vital government agency responsible for managing key social insurance programs that provide financial support and security to millions of Americans.
