Important Social Security Information for People Affected by Hurricane Harvey

Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. Many Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit payments are scheduled for Friday September 1.  The following information covers the various delivery methods for these payments in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. Payments by Paper Check Delivered by the U.S. Postal Service Hurricane Harveys impact on the Gulf Coast resulted in the temporary suspension of mail delivery service as well as the closure of some postal facilities in the Houston area.  The U.S. Postal Service is providing additional information on how customers displaced by Hurricane Harvey can retrieve checks they receive via the mail. Provided here about.usps.com/news/state-releases/tx/tx.htm is a list of Post Office locations by ZIP Code where checks will be made available for pick-up beginning Friday September 1.  People must have proper identification to receive their check. Payments by Direct Deposit Nearly all payments issued by direct deposit will arrive as scheduled.  If a persons payment is delayed they should contact their financial institution.  If the financial institution is not operating please see the emergency payment information below. Payments by Direct Express Debit Card (a Treasury Department program) For recipients in the affected areas who receive their payment through a Direct Express card fees will be waived even if they have evacuated out of the area. Payments will be posted to Direct Express cards on September 1. People may contact Direct Express at 1-888-741-1115. Emergency Payment Locations Social Security has established three emergency payment locations in Texas where Social Security and SSI beneficiaries may request an immediate payment in person if they cannot receive their regular payment.  The locations and hours are: Friday September 1 and Saturday September 2: Houston: NRG Center 2 NRG Park Houston TX 77054 From 9:00 AM 4:00 PM Dallas: Kay Bailey Hutchison Dallas Convention Center 650 S. Griffin Street Dallas TX 75202 From 9:00 AM 4:30 PM Austin: Tony Burger Center 3200 Jones Road Austin TX 78745 From 9:30 AM 3:00 PM For people who cannot receive their regularly scheduled Social Security payment as a result of Hurricane Harvey in most cases they can go to any open Social Security office and request an immediate payment.  A list of offices that are currently closed as well as additional information for the public is available at www.socialsecurity.gov/emergency. To find the nearest open Social Security office outside of the affected areas call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or go to www.socialsecurity.gov/locator.