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From Social Security eNews, March 2002, Issue 29

Have you ever wanted to find out if you can get benefits from Social
Security or if you qualify for Medicare health insurance? (From Social
Security eNews, March 2002, Issue 29).

Sometimes it's hard to know where to begin when you need help. But now there's a new online tool to get you started -- the Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool (BEST). You start by answering a few questions about your income, things you own, your age and marital status. Based on your answers, BEST lets you know right away what benefits you may be eligible for. BEST will help you figure out your options and where to go next. If you need the information, best get a move on!
http://www.ssa.gov/best/


NEW MEDICARE BENEFIT COULD SAVE MANY FROM BLINDNESS
(From Social Security eNews, March 2002, Issue 29)

Medicare has announced a new benefit that can prevent many Americans from going blind. People who are covered by Medicare Part B (medical insurance) are eligible for glaucoma screenings once every 12 months. Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness for African-Americans and for all adults older
than 60. If untreated, glaucoma can cause irreversible loss of vision.
It's estimated that about half of the people with glaucoma don't even know they have this condition. To learn more, call 1-800-MEDICARE, or visit the Medicare website. 
http://www.medicare.gov/


CONTACTING SOCIAL SECURITY
(From Social Security eNews, March 2002, Issue 29)

Looking for information on Social Security? Ready to retire? Or perhaps
you're just starting to plan your financial future. People contact us for a
variety of reasons. Now, there are a variety of ways to contact us. You
can reach us by phone at 1-800-772-1213. You can use our automated phone services 24/7, or call between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on business days to speak with a representative. If you're deaf or hard of hearing, you can call our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Or you can use our FAX Catalog to have information faxed to you. Call toll-free, 1-888-475-7000, for an index and to order specific items. You're welcome to write or visit your local Social Security office. And, of course, there's our website -- equipped to handle your questions, quench your desire for information and even complete many of your transactions. For more, see our Contact Us page. http://www.ssa.gov/reach.htm

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