Social Security offices are currently open only for in-person appointments for limited, critical situations, depending upon local office conditions.However, you can continue to apply for a replacement Social Security card online and by mail.  Before requesting a replacement card, please remember that you might not need the physical card.  Most of the time, simply knowing your Social Security number is enough. 

Your Social Security Statement tells you how much you or your family can expect to receive in disability, survivors, and retirement benefits.  It also provides a record of your earnings history and other valuable information.  And now it’s even better!

The Gerontological Society of America's highly cited, peer-reviewed journals are continuing to publish scientific articles on COVID-19, and all are free to access. The following were published between January 8 and March 15:

Social Security’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program provides cash payments to children with disabilities whose families have limited income and resources.  A child must meet the following medical requirements to be considered disabled under Social Security rules:

There’s probably been a time in your life when you’ve wondered, “Can I do this online instead of visiting a Social Security office?”  The answer is more than likely yes, and you can find more information about our online services at www.ssa.gov/onlineservices.  Online, you can apply for retirement and disability benefits, appeal a decision, and do much more.

At 94, Edina McGrath is crowned Ms Senior Florida, the oldest to hold the Title in the history of the Pageant. Vibrant and full of life, at a time when COVID 19 is proving fatal among the aging community, Edina felt compelled to be an inspiration to her peers.

On Memorial Day, our nation honors military service members who have given their lives for our country.  As Former President Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, "Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men [and women] have died to win them."  This is why families, friends, and communities come together to remember the great sacrifices of our military members and ensure their legacies live on. 

April is Financial Literacy Month, a time focused on educating people about the importance of planning for a secure financial future.  Social Security is a vital part of any financial plan.  We have online tools to help you understand your potential Social Security benefits and how they fit into your financial future. 

TALLAHASSEE – Supporting the direction of Governor Ron DeSantis to keep Florida’s most vulnerable populations safe, the Florida Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) is strengthening its partnership with Scent Evidence K9 through the distribution of additional Scent Preservation Kits® to caregivers of those living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). Older adults with ADRD may have an increased tendency to wander and become lost. If that happens, proactive family safety measures, such as the Scent Preservation Kit®, are providing effective response systems to locate missing persons and return them to safety.

The disruptions in long-term care facilities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have created opportunities for positive long-term changes in this setting, according to a new publication from The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) titled ╲Pandemic-Driven Disruptions in Oral Health: 10 Transformative Trends in Care for Older Adults.╡

Today, more than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease.  Since the onset of Alzheimer’s can occur in people before they retire, it may strike during an individual’s working years; preventing gainful employment as the disease progresses. 

TALLAHASSEE – Today, the Florida Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) announced Collier County has joined the Dementia Care and Cure Initiative (DCCI) as the 15th DCCI Task Force and Dementia-Caring Community in Florida. DCCI implements a statewide effort to become more dementia-caring in order to support those living with dementia, their families, and their caregivers. Communities organize task forces to include professionals, advocates, and community members to increase education, awareness, and sensitivity regarding the needs of those living with dementia throughout their community.