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Social Security Expands Local Hours With Video System
May 6, 2009
An official ribbon cutting was held Tuesday morning for a new Social Security Administration video system that allows area residents to interact with the SSA face to face, one of just three such systems in an eight state area.
The video system now available at the Workforce Escarosa office in Century is one of just three in the Southeastern United States. 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.
“This is a great day in Century,” Mayor Freddie McCall told a group of local and SSA dignitaries gathered Tuesday morning to see the new system in action. “We are honored to have this in Century.”
“We’ve gone from being in Century two hours to 32 hours per week,” John Sullivan from the Pensacola SSA office said.
“There’s no more hour to Pensacola, hour to wait in line at our Pensacola office and an hour to drive back,” 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 — a person simply sits down and talks. 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.
McCall tried the system Tuesday morning. He sat down to the screen and was able to carry on a natural conversation with a SSA representative 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: John Sullivan (left) from the Pensacola Social Security Administration office talks about the SSA’s new video system at Workforce Escarosa. Also pictured are (L-R) Edna Earle Barnes from the Century Chamber of Commerce, Catharine Jeter from Workforce Escarosa and Century Mayor Freddie McCall. Pictured inset: McCall chats with a social security representative in Pensacola. Pictured below: The official chamber of commerce ribbon cutting. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
One Response to “Social Security Expands Local Hours With Video System”
This is the best thing that could happen in Century i agree on this !!!!!!! way to go Century….. Finally getting something good back….everyone needs this kind of help… taking away the food stamp office away ………no help here i sure hope this doesnt’ fall through……