Social Security Administration to Resume In-Person Services at Local Social Security Offices Online Services and Telephone Remain Most Convenient Ways to Contact Agency

Statement of Kilolo Kijakazi, Acting Commissioner: Social Security Administration to Resume In-Person Services at Local Social Security Offices
Online Services and Telephone Remain Most Convenient Ways to Contact Agency

“I am pleased to announce that local Social Security offices will restore in-person services, including for people without an appointment, on April 7, 2022.

To avoid waiting in line, I strongly encourage people, who can, to use our online services at www.socialsecurity.gov, call us, and schedule appointments in advance rather than walking in without an appointment. Phone appointments can save you a trip to a busy office. I thank the public for your patience as we work to increase service.

Customers who walk in without appointments may encounter delays and longer waits at our offices. Be aware that our offices tend to be the busiest first thing in the morning, early in the week, and during the early part of the month, so people may want to plan to visit at other times.

Given that many of the people we serve have health vulnerabilities, and consistent with our union agreements, we are continuing to require certain safety measures including masking, physical distancing, and self-health checks for COVID-19 symptoms. We will provide masks to the public and employees if they need them.

Thoughtful planning and preparation have shaped our process to restore in-person services. Social Security employees are dedicated to serving the public, and we are ready to welcome the public back to our offices. Our local managers understand and can address the needs of their communities. We have also implemented office-to-office support as well as brought recently retired employees back to assist the public. We thank the many interested stakeholders including the Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living and national advocate organizations for your help.

Throughout the pandemic, millions of people have used our secure and convenient online services and received help by phone. People who have access to the internet should first try our online services before calling us or visiting an office.

As we transition to a new modern phone system, some people may experience a busy signal or be unintentionally disconnected from their call. We sincerely regret this disruption and recommend people call when our National 800 Number may be less busy, such as before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. local time or later in the week. Like our offices, our waits are generally shorter later in the month.

To learn more, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/coronavirus/gethelp/ and www.socialsecurity.gov/onlineservices/.”

Survey and Focus Group Opportunity

May is National Drowning Prevention Month!

COVID-19 VACCINE TOWN HALL – APRIL 29, 2021 AT 5:00 PM

People with developmental disabilities need vaccine priority!

California is continuing to get vaccines distributed, based on a special set of priority “phases.” It started with “Phase 1A,” which included health care workers and first responders.

But people with developmental disabilities weren’t part of that group. Even though they are often at extra risk because of their disability (or disabilities), the state still hasn’t moved our community up the list.

YOU can help change this! We need to let Governor Newsom know that people with disabilities should be put in the very next group, “Phase 1B.” When you do:

  1. Introduce yourself! Be sure to say if you have a disability, are a family member, or work in the community.
  2. Explain that people with disabilities are at extra risk due to COVID-19, and need to be prioritized in Phase 1B.
  3. Thank them for considering our community.

A sample letter is also provided, which you can copy and paste into your email. But personalizing your message is always better!

To contact Governor Newsom, use the official online contact form. Choose “COVID-19” as your subject in the drop-down box on that page.

ARCA and the regional centers are working with community partners to help get our community prioritized for vaccinations. Yesterday, we co-sponsored a town hall webinar with Disability Voices United, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and Disability Rights California.

Did you miss it? The town hall is archived on Facebook for you to watch!

[This information was taken from ARCA. Click here to view the original message.]

Voting Information and Resources, the election is just around the corner!

Are you registered to vote for the upcoming election?  The deadline to register to vote online in California is this Monday, October 19th!  Click here to register today!

If you missed our Voter Registration and Information Workshop with Wesley Witherspoon, you can now view the recording by clicking here.

If you or someone you support has not yet registered to vote, the African Communities Public Health Coalition is offering free assistance as well as the opportunity to win a gift card through their raffle. Please click here for more information.

Already registered to vote? It’s time to make a plan! Visit this link to make your plan today: https://plan.lavote.net/

Do you want to learn about the issues impacting the disability community? Disability Vote, a non-partisan coalition of organizations supporting and advocating for people with disabilities have put together a comprehensive website encompassing all of the issues affecting people with disabilities. If you visit their webpage you will find voting resources, webinar recordings and information about the specific issues on the November ballot. Don’t forget to make a plan that will allow you to vote safely during the COVID-19 pandemic!

Voter Information and Registration Workshop

Public Information Survey-Your Input is Requested

Community Resource Development Plan (CRDP)

Fiscal Year 2020-21

Westside Regional Center (WRC) is seeking your input to identify needed critical services and supports to expand the availability, accessibility and types of services and support to meet current and future needs of individuals and their families in the future. Your input will be used to complete WRC’s Community Resource Development Plan (CRDP).  WRC’s CRDP will be submitted to the Department of Developmental Services for potential development and services funds.  Please complete this survey by April 15, 2020 to assist WRC in the identification of needed resources.

www.surveymonkey.com/r/WRC_CRDPsurvey2020

 

 

LAUSD 5K “Move It” Health & Wellness Festival

Website: moveit-lausd-ca.schoolloop.com

Email: wellnessprograms@lausd.net

LAUSD Health and Wellness Festival-2.22.2020-English Flyer

LAUSD Health and Wellness Festival-2.22.2020-Spanish Flyer