Leo Rossler: Your Social Security

Natural disasters such as wildfires and floods are forcing people in different parts of the country to leave their homes. The last thing a person who falls victim to this kind of devastation needs to worry about is how they're going to get their next Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment.

The good news for people who get their Social Security and SSI benefit payments by direct deposit is there won't be anything to worry about.

Even if you don't fall victim to any disasters, direct deposit is still the best way to receive your benefit payments. Here's why.

Direct deposit is safe. Your money is deposited directly into your account at your bank or financial institution. Because it's transferred electronically, there's never a risk of your check being lost or stolen.

Direct Deposit is quick. You'll get your payment faster when it's deposited directly into your bank. Your money is immediately available to you once it's deposited into your account.

Direct Deposit is convenient. No more need to stand in line at the bank to cash your check, or to leave your house when the weather is bad. It's also nice to know your payment is in the bank instead of the mailbox when you're on vacation or away from home.

When faced with a devastating event, there's no question about where you'll find your payment when it's directly deposited into your bank. The same cannot be said for paper checks being mailed to mailboxes that no longer exist.

To learn more about direct deposit of your benefit payments, and to sign up, visit our website at www.socialsecurity.gov/deposit/. You can also call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and use our automated telephone services. If you are deaf or hard-of-hearing, call our TTY number at 1-800-325-0778.

Whether the weather in your area is terrific or terrible, you can rest assured that your payments are safe and secure with direct deposit. The Tyler office is located at 5509 South Donnybrook Ave.

Leo Rossler
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