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Pilot Program Video System Brings Social Security Office To Century, Local Area
April 29, 2009
Century is home to a new video conferencing system that allows area residents to interact with the Social Security Agency face to face, one of just three such sites in an eight state area.
The video system now available at the Workforce Escarosa office in Century is one of just three in an eight state Southeastern U.S. region. A citizen using the free system is able to sit down in front of a video monitor and carry on a face to face conversation with a Social Security representative in Pensacola or Ft. Walton Beach.
“There’s no more hour to Pensacola, hour to wait in line at our Pensacola office and an hour to drive back,” John Sullivan from the Pensacola SSA office said. “You can sit down in Century with little or no wait and see our representative face to face and do everything that you can do in Pensacola. You just don’t have the wait.”
Sullivan said his Pensacola office sees 350 to 400 people per day, which often leads to a long wait.
The video system is easy to use — you simply sit down and talk. There are no buttons to push, and no computer knowledge required whatsoever. The conversation takes place across a secured line, and the conversation is not recorded. If the SSA representative needs to see documentation, such as a marriage license, the person using the system simply holds it up to the camera. Family members or social workers that accompany someone are able to join in the conversation as well.
“It’s so easy,” said Catharine Jeter, director of the Century Workforce Escarosa office that houses the system. “Anyone can do it, and it really, really saves all the time of going to Pensacola.
Jeter demonstrated the system for NorthEscambia.com. She sat down to the screen and was able to carry on a natural conversation with SSA representative Mary Lanham in Pensacola. There was no awkward delay, and the picture was crystal clear.
Persons using the system do not have to be Escambia County or even Florida residents. Anyone can use the system since the Social Security Administration is a federal agency.
Two other SSA video systems are located in North Carolina and Mississippi.
The system is available at the Workforce Escarosa office at 8120 North Century Boulevard Monday – Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information, contact the Pensacola SSA office at (850) 434-5488.
Among other things, the video conference system can be used to:
- Apply for Social Security retirement or spouse’s benefits.
- Apply for Social Security disability benefits (includes the Adult Disability Report).
- Apply for extra help with your Medicare prescription drug costs.
- Request a Social Security statement.
- Change your address or telephone number.
- Get a replacement Medicare card.
- Request a proof of income letter.
- Get a a Form 1099/1042S benefit statement.
Pictured above: Catharine Jeter (right) sits at the Workforce Escarosa office in Century and holds a video conversation with Mary Lanham (on screen) at the Pensacola Social Security Administration office. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Comments
5 Responses to “Pilot Program Video System Brings Social Security Office To Century, Local Area”
This is great, I am a retired SSA Manager and I kniow what a difference this will make a difference for the employees and the waiting public. I love it. Of couse the ALJ’s in Ohio and Penna have been using this technology for many years
It’s good to see technology used in a good way, for something positive and useful
for others who need it!
THIS IS GREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET
I’m really glad they have made this service available in this area. It will help alot of people, especially ones that don’t have access to a computer at home or don’t know how to secure the information from the Social Security website. Even when you do go to their website it can be confusing. This way you have the opportunity to ask questions and obtain the needed information, etc. But it won’t take long for people to find out about the service and then we’ll be beggin for a second computer!!
This is GREAT…glad to see something like this come to Century. Hopefully other agencies who closed their offices here will consider this option; such as the Driver’s License division, Family Services for Medicaid and Food Stamps and TANF etc.