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Question:

My mother-in-law still receives her benefit in the form of a paper check. She is slowly opening up to the possibility of utilizing direct deposit. Can you can address this subject and help to get her off the fence?

Answer:

There is no reason to be on the fence about direct deposit. Consider this. According to the National Automated Clearing House Association, once a direct deposit account is established, a payment can never be lost. Direct deposit gives you peace of mind. No matter where you are, your payment is in the bank. There’s no worry about stolen, lost or misdirected payments. Direct deposit is, hands down, the safest, quickest and most convenient way for people to receive their payments. May is National Direct Deposit Month, and Social Security would like to celebrate by encouraging all beneficiaries to get their payments the quick, convenient and safe way – by direct deposit. To some people, direct deposit seems like a new way of doing things. Direct deposit has been in use for more than 25 years, and it has a proven track record of success. Not a single electronic payment has ever been lost. It is secure and efficient. Direct deposit eliminates the need to take a paper check to the bank. It also gets the funds into your bank account faster. Millions of taxpayers use direct deposit so they can get their income tax returns faster. Even more get their benefit checks and paychecks by direct deposit. If you do not already have direct deposit for your Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, it’s easy to sign up. For more information about direct deposit of Social Security benefits, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/deposit or visit www.Godirect.org. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Question:

Are Social Security numbers assigned based on where the card was issued, or are they simply done consecutively?

Answer:

It is a little more complicated than that. The nine-digit Social Security number is divided into three parts: area, group, and serial number. The area is the first three digits in a Social Security number. If your Social Security number was assigned before 1972 when Social Security cards were issued by local offices, the area number reflects the state where you applied for your number. If your number was assigned in 1972 or later when we began issuing Social Security cards centrally, the first three digits reflect the state as determined by the ZIP code in the mailing address on your application for the number. The middle two digits are the group. Within each area, the group number ranges from 01 to 99 but are not assigned in consecutive order. The last four digits are the serial number, and they run consecutively from 0001 through 9999. To learn more about Social Security or to find out how to apply for a Social Security card or number, visit our website at www.socialsecurity.gov or call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213

Oscar Garcia is a Public Affairs Specialist with the Social Security Administration. You can direct your questions to him at: SSA, 727 E. Durango Blvd, Room B701, San Antonio, Texas, 78206. You can also email him at oscar.h.garcia@ssa.gov.