The devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey to Houston and other parts of Texas and Louisiana have created roadblocks to people being able to receive their monthly benefit payments. Social Security beneficiaries receive their monthly payments at the beginning of the month. For those who receive payment through direct deposit, there should be no issues of receiving payments as usual, but others who receive payment in other methods could be impacted. Social Security released the following information to inform people who may be affected.
Important Social Security Information
for People Affected by Hurricane Harvey
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 US Postal Service
Hurricane Harvey’s 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 person’s 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: NRGCenter
2 NRG Park, Houston, TX77054
From 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Dallas: Kay Bailey Hutchison Dallas Convention Center
650 S. Griffin Street, Dallas, TX75202
From 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Austin: Tony Burger Center
3200 Jones RdAustin, TX78745
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.
