social security GET YOUR BENEFIT VERIFICATION LETTER ONLINE [Telegraph-Herald (Dubuque, IA)]

Do you need a letter from Social Security verifying your benefits?

The fastest and most convenient way to get one is to go online to www.socialsecurity.gov.

You might need it for a number of reasons. Perhaps you need proof of income for a loan or to verify your monthly income for housing, or state or local benefits.

You might need proof of your Medicare health insurance status. In some cases, a person could need proof of retirement status, disability status, or age.

For any of these situations, a benefit verification letter will provide the proof you need.

Sometimes a benefit verification letter is called a budget letter, benefits letter, proof of income letter or proof of award letter. Don't let the titles confuse you; they are all the same thing.

For whatever the reason you need your benefit verification letter, you can get it immediately online for free.

To get it, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount and set up a my Social Security account. To create an account, you must provide some personal information about yourself and give us answers to some questions that only you are likely to know.

They are the same types of questions you would encounter if you were trying to open an online account at a financial institution or obtain your credit report.

Next, you create a unique username and password that you will use to access your online account. This process protects you and keeps your Social Security information private.

Once you've established your account, it will be simple for you to come back and transact business with Social Security in the future.

For example, in addition to getting another benefit verification letter in the next year or two, you can check your benefit and payment information as well as your earnings record. You also can change your address, phone number and direct deposit information.